Mid-Air

by Alicia D. Williams

A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning middle grade novel in verse from the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again.

It’s the summer before high school and Isaiah feels lost. He thought this summer was going to be just him and his homies Drew and Darius, hangin’ out, doing wheelies, and watching martial arts movies—a lot of chillin’ before high school and the Future. But more and more, Drew will barely talk to him—barely even look at him—and though he won’t admit it, Isaiah knows it’s because of Darius, because Darius is…gone.

And Isaiah wasn’t even there when it happened, with his best friend in his final moments. But he’s going to be there now. Him and Drew both, they’re gonna spend the summer breaking every single record they can think of, for Darius, for his dream of breaking world records. But Drew’s not the same Drew, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in music, his love for D&D, his interest in taking photos, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. The real Isaiah is sensitive; he’s uncool.

And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, more contained, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?

Genres: Middle Grade, Poetry, Realistic Fiction, Novel In Verse, Grief, Friendship, Young Adult

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2024

About the author

What's there to know about Alicia D? Well, that depends on who you ask.

If you ask kindergartners, they'd tell you:

1. She likes chunky guacamole.

2. She likes shiny things.

3. She tells good stories.

If you ask her middle schoolers, they'd surely say:

1. She gets us.

2. She makes us laugh with all her jokes.

3. She is Da BOMB.

While all of these may be true, there are a few more points to add . . . Alicia D. is a teacher in Charlotte, NC. She is the proud mother of a brilliant college student. Her love for education stems from conducting school residencies as a Master Teaching Artist of arts-integration. Alicia D infuses her love for drama, movement, and storytelling to inspire students to write. And like other great storytellers, she made the leap into writing--and well, her story continues. Alicia D loves laughing, traveling, and Wonder Woman.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow....

I'm shocked, but I'm also not shocked. Alicia D. Williams never ceases to amaze me. She is a master of her craft and also writes books that not only pack and emotional punch, but also capture the experiences of her readers.

Mid-Air is unlike any other middle grade book this year. Not only is a the main character navigating the grief of losing a friend, but he also goes through the process of discovering himself and who he wants to be. There are expectations that comes with being a Black boy especially as it applies to masculinity. Alicia allows Isaiah to explore the meaning of masculinity, the meaning of his Blackness in vulnerable, complex, yet endearing ways. Although I didn't necessarily share the same experiences as Isaiah as a young Black girl, I felt connected to him and wanted to comfort him during each one of his struggles. This book is about self-love, identity, love, fear, friendship, grief, and more. It's layered, multifaceted and definitely worthy of all the praise, accolades, and awards.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-3.75 stars, two boys hide secrets from the world and each other.
Isaiah, Darius and Drew are best friends. Together they dare and challenge each other. Now it's only Isaiah and Drew. Darius died when he is hit by a car during one of their dares, an accident that Isaiah and Drew both witness. Without Darius, do the two have anything in common other than their shared grief of missing Darius? What secrets are they hiding from the world and each other? Will either of them ever be brave enough to share?
This is the perfect book for questioning stereotypes about boys and young men. Girls can be anything, but what about boys?

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alicia D. Williams did it again. This is the perfect coming-of-age novel-in-verse about grief, friendship, growing up, and learning to be yourself. I can’t wait to get this in the hands of some middle schoolers. Maybe my top pick for Newbery.

[Phil J]

Underwhelming.

I read 24 pages.

I came into this book with the best possible attitude, having previously been impressed by the author, generally liking narrative poetry and working with students who use all the slang contained herein.

However, this came across as what my students would call "tryhard." It gave off major "Hello, fellow kids" energy instead of sounding authentic. The main character was way too self-aware and direct in describing himself for it to be believable.

Minor gripes:
*Word misspelled at the top of page two. It jumps out a lot more in a poetry book than it would otherwise.

* There were no Metallica 1980 t shirts because the band didn't exist yet. For a narrator who claims to be a rock fan, this is pretty glaring.

[SH · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5 🌟

This book was stunning. Dealt with some potentially heavy themes like racism, death of a friend, etc. but did so in such a gentle and accessible way for all audiences. I loved the fact that joy was at the center of this. There was such an emphasis on all people’s, especially those who are marginalized, birthright being a life defined by only yourself. We’re all entitled to joy. I think everyone should read this

[Joy Kirr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know this was the same author who wrote Genesis Begins Again. I liked it. I loved that it was a novel in verse, and I felt like I was on a mountain bike trail with all the ups and downs and twists and bumps… I love how it ended, even though there are some unanswered questions (like life), Isaiah had some understanding of SELF.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, complex, multi-layered story. Audio was fantastic.

[Savannah Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book that explores growing up, processing grief, navigating family challenges, and finding identity as a person of color. Highly recommended —the story is not only impactful but beautifully written.

[Heather Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Mid-Air is amazing!! Highly recommend this books for our middle grade learning communities!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Grief,” he says, “is one of those emotions that’ll consume you, if you don’t take care of yourself. Trust me, I know.”
🚲
It’s the summer before high school and Isaiah is lost. His best friend just died and his other best friend is shutting him out. What was going to be a summer of breaking records ends up being one where Isaiah is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle. There he meets a girl, creates new friendships and starts to recognize and voice all the emotions that he’s been struggling with. Isaiah is holding a lot in; what will happen when he lets it all out?
🛹
This is @authoraliciadwilliams sophomore MG novel and it’s a novel in verse with gorgeous illustrations. This book deals with a lot of topical issues such as toxic masculinity, police brutality, imprisonment and more that many students will relate and connect with. I highly recommend this title for middle grade and above readers. It releases April 23.

CW: death, car accident, physical attack, toxic masculinity, misogyny, imprisonment, police brutality, parental abandonment, grief

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaiah likes skateboarding, plants and rock music, activities that set him apart from most of his peers, so he hides a good deal of his true self. His two friends, Darius and Drew are both adventurous and up for any stunt, no matter how crazy or dangerous. Isaiah tries to go along, but his friends know he will probably choke. When Darius is killed during a stunt, Isaiah is left wondering if Darius ' death was his fault. Drew closes down and Isaiah is forced to confront issues of friendship, personal choice, and vulnerability and transparency. I found that Isaiah and the other characters to be well drawn with authentic voices and the novel in verse to be superbly paced.

[Kristin R · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is written in verse. Three best friends at the end of 8th grade, deal with a tragedy. Isaiah struggles and they aren't as good friends as they used to be. His parents see him and worry. So they send him to live with his aunt and uncle for the summer, in hopes of clearing his head. Life is tough, glad he has parents and family to support him.

[Julia Harkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first novel in verse! I really liked what the author was able to portray, the voice and emotion through her words. Realistic fiction, grief and loss, courage and friendship. 12+

[Lisa Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good novel in verse. Dealt with some tough topics, but in an age appropriate way.

[Olivia Zerger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suffocating

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alicia D. Williams creates magic again, but this time in a very different way. Jason Reynolds said this reminded him of Walter Dean Myers, and I totally agree.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good! Even the black ink illustrations; beautiful!

[Chelsea Bashore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful example of how kids experience grief and the heart breaking reality of how our society treats Black boys like grown criminals. Teens experiencing friendship heartbreak, discovering identity, and finding love in the cracks of tough moments will appreciate this. I will for sure be buying this for my class library.

Thanks, NetGalley for the chance to read!

[Michael Billotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alicia D. Williams' second middle grade novel (after the phenomenal Genesis Begins Again) is a novel in verse about a young boy named Isaiah, who is dealing with a major loss, as well as a feeling that he can't let those around him know his true self.

Williams' use of verse helps to showcase Isaiah's emotional journey and helps us to identify with his character. We spend every page of the book with his thoughts and Williams uses this intentionally limiting frame to great effect.

This book is perfect for fans of Genesis Begins Again--Williams once again tackles difficult subjects with emotional depth and clarity. It is also a great option for fans of other novels in verse (Starfish, A Work in Progress, and The Poet X come to mind).

Williams writes middle grade with heart and vision. She never talks down to her readers, trusting them to navigate the complexity of her characters' emotions. The book is a wonderful meditation on masculinity, understanding (and accepting) ourselves, and the fluidity of both gender and friendship. Absolutely loved this one!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed Genesis Begins Again. That sounds silly. How do you miss a book? Can’t you just pick it up anytime and read it? Normally, yes, and I could certainly do that right now if I wanted to. Could just walk over to a library or bookstore, pick up a copy, and start to read. But as a children’s book reviewer I hold myself to a weird rule. There are so many children’s books published in a given year, SO MANY, that it can be difficult to sort through them and figure out which ones to read. If you’re trying to read the best ones, you have to cut something out, so I long ago instituted a rule where I only read kids’ books in their current publication year. Have I broken this rule? Occasionally, but by and large I’m pretty good about it. And then came the Newbery Awards for the best written books for kids and I realized belatedly that I hadn’t read one of the Honor winners. Worse, the Newberys are announced in the following publishing year. I still intended to go back and listen to the audiobook or something, but time passed. More and more and more books were coming out, and in time I just sort of forgot. All this is a roundabout way of saying that in a way, when I came to read Mid Air I was still fresh. I hadn’t encountered the writing of Ms. Alicia D. Williams for myself, firsthand, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I mean, people have won Newbery Honors for pretty mediocre books, right? Maybe, but I suspect you would not be able to add Ms. Williams to that list. If you can imagine a 46-year-old woman on an airplane, snot and tears pouring out of her while she downs a title intended for 12-year-olds, then you’ve a fairly clear picture of what this doggone book just did to me. Mid Air is an ambitious little number with a multi-layered plot and characters you somehow manage to get to know and care about through a brief scattering of words. I missed Genesis Begins Again. Make sure you don’t miss Mid Air.

Bet. It’s a magic word. With it, Isaiah and his two best friends Drew and Darius can attempt all kinds of incredible stunts and tricks. True, Isaiah’s probably more likely to choke than either of the other two, like the time they almost got him to go down the world’s biggest dirt mound. But when one of their bets has tragic consequences and Darius dies, Isaiah and Drew the bets die too, and the two are left to pick up the pieces. And what do you even do when your friend is dead? Drew won’t talk about it and then Isaiah gets beaten up by one of the men inadvertently responsible for Darius’s death. Things are bad all around, but when Isaiah has a chance to stay with family in North Carolina, he finds a healing there he could never have found at home.

This book is probably single-handedly responsible for changing an old and (frankly) outdated belief of mine regarding verse fiction. It has always been my opinion that if you are going to write a book in verse, you need to justify that choice in some way. I think we’ve all encountered middle grade novels for kids that are in verse just because it makes the book look longer. But after reading Mid Air I want to revise that thinking a tad. Maybe it’s not that you need to justify the format. Maybe you just need to make the format do the work it needs to do to tell its story correctly. I don’t know that Ms. Williams would describe herself as a poet, but there is some serious lyricism at work on these pages. Even better, she has a way of making the verse on the page reflect the inflections of a person’s voice when they’re speaking. With her writing, the verse is mirroring the awkward stops, the pauses, or the running, rolling sentences.

Honestly, Mid Air may be the best example I’ve seen in a while of a book that would both be interesting for kids to read and also contains just a plethora of outright lyrical sentences. Like when Drew comes over to Isaiah’s house to sleep sometimes and it says, “His navy-blue hoodie swallows his head. He wraps himself cocoon tight. I stay silent, waiting for him to work out each knot, looping and unlooping, until whatever’s got him tied up unravels.” I mean, that’s just so beautifully put together. Later, there’s a moment when Isaiah says that his mom told him she wanted a girl, so as to teacher her own to be brave, bold and fierce. “But God saw fit to / take away one of my X / chromosomes. Turn it Y. / Guess those lessons… / those lessons / weren’t meant for / me.”

Now I’d be the first person to say that the book isn’t exactly a laugh riot. I mean, there are a lot more dead kids in this title that I’m necessarily comfortable with (anything over zero is, in my book, “a lot”). And my 10-year-old son just attempted to convince me that the death of any kid in a novel automatically makes it YA (we disagree on this point). Still, Williams is the kind of smart writer who knows that if you can inject a little levity onto these pages, that’s going to go a long way towards convincing young readers that they like the person making the joke (in this case, the main character). So, for example, when Isaiah at the beginning of the book says that the hill he and his friends are thinking about conquering is janky, the book reads, “But dang, wasn’t picturing a bootleg Mount Kilimanjaro.” Or later when he discusses Darius’s love of comics. “Knew Marvel’s and DC’s universes like he had dual citizenship.” This would never be called a funny book, but it's no slog either.

It seems a bit odd if I don’t mention the watercolors that pepper this book throughout. A little unfair too, since the review copy I was given of this title contained an incomplete number of them. Suffice to say the ones I was able to see were beautiful. They pepper the book at key points, never distracting from the text. Only adding. You don’t necessarily need them, of course, but there’s something about them that alleviates some of the tension in the text. They’re interstitial and not strictly necessary, but neither do they distract from the writing. And for those kids that need them, they’ll be there.

I’ll be frank. I have no idea how you write a book like this. A book that just layers its plots and emotions, one on top of another, without ever losing sight of the themes and the bigger picture. How do you know how much personality to include at the story’s beginning so that when Darius dies it’s as much a shock to the reader as the main character? If you’re writing in verse, how do you layer the hurt and the shock and the betrayal and (most importantly) the survivor’s guilt that Isaiah and Drew are dealing with? How do you write a book where two characters live through the same event but are processing it in two different ways? And how do you make it compelling and good? Yeah, I have no answers for you, unless the answer is just me holding this book up, pointing to it, and saying, “Uh, like this. Here.” Because Mid Air IS the answer to those questions. Adept and fleet footed with nary a misstep, allow me to recommend a little something to wring your heart out and then pump it up all over again. Exquisitely crafted.

[Brent Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book recommended by an author on one of my fav podcasts (WithyWindle by Goldberry Books) and it drew my attention because it was about grief in a perspective from boys which is rare.

The story and poetry by themselves are four star stuff... however Williams decided to add one of those morals that are prominent in new Pixar movies, "You can be whatever you want to be, You have a right to whatever you want.". This Moral usually turns it off for me. Plus there's the factor of a boy painting his nails. "Let you be you!" this book was a real disappointment.

Okay I don't if I'm reading into this to much but that's what I felt the author was trying to say.

[Dawn Kalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! Alicia did it again, capturing the world of a black teenager and his journey through his development along with his obstacles to overcome. Love that this story is in verse.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: MID-AIR by Alicia D. Williams, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy, April 2024, 320p., ISBN: 978-1-4814-6583-0

“Panic in Detroit,
I asked for an autograph
He wanted to stay home,
I wish someone would phone.
Panic in Detroit”
– David Bowie (1973)

Eighth grader Isaiah Randolph is a character you can feel, and so feel for:

“I now gather handfuls of soil in my palms
crush the dirt tight between my fingers
and hold it.
Hold it. Breathe.”

“Throughout the last few hundred years, they’ve had many names. Eureka, Noe, Los Pechos de la Chola. The Grand Tetons. Today, those across the Bay Area know the two mountain crests jutting from the center of San Francisco as Twin Peaks. And for skateboarders, the Peaks have long been a destination. Some go for a quick nature break, or to relax at the end of the day with a sunset view. Some seek the thrilling, circuitous hill bomb down Twin Peaks Blvd to Portola Drive, leading to more hills in the surrounding neighborhoods. Others, in more recent years, have sought refuge on the smooth asphalt of the eastern roadway at the top of the hill. This section has been closed to traffic since 2016 and has quietly become a DIY skate spot with great flatground and stunning views of one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. On October 19, Red Bull will transform the stretch of road into a street course for the Red Bull Sky Line skateboarding competition, judged by local pros with cash prizes.”
--redbull.com

(I’m not far below there, on a long, steady, downhill slope with skaters flying by daily.)

My own personal experience with extreme sports began and ended with my being able to pull wheelies quite well on my Huffy banana bike. Earlier on, during that childhood era, I once received a Sidewalk Surfer (an inexpensive, early-Sixties, wooden forerunner of modern skateboards) for a Christmas present. After one day of practice–and one day of them watching me and envisioning the emergency dental bills–my parents made that board quickly disappear. Permanently.

The bottom line is that it’s taken me a while to catch up and read MID-AIR, a book with a seriously awesome cover image. But, luckily, news of last weekend’s competition got me reading.

“I Bet You
is how it always begins.
No matter the game or record.
One of us’ll throw out the first bet,
another’ll pick it up and double it,
another’ll snatch it back, triple it, like–

Dude,I bet you I’ll do thirty seconds over–
Bro, if you doing thirty, I know I’m going like sixty–
Yo, if you got sixty,I know I’ll pop at least ninety–

So on & so on
adding time to feats
we ain’t hardly gonna reach.
But it’s the talking that gets us psyched,
got us believing we’ve got gladiator might.

And it’s the believing that counts.”

Whether it’s bikes, boards, or backflips off the roof, Isaiah, Darius, and their new buddy Drew, are constantly daring and betting one another in order to achieve extreme feats; constantly imagining breaking all sorts of Guinness world records.

But at a moment of extreme chaos, as Darius tries to hold a wheelie and win one of those bets, and as a grumpy, old man gets in their faces for no good reason, Isaiah cannot yell fast enough to prevent the oncoming collision between his oldest, bestest friend and a rapidly approaching car.

MID-AIR is a powerfully moving, sometimes sweet and goofy, coming-of-age verse novel for tweens. It portrays how Darius’s demise significantly impacts and changes Isaiah and Drew as they complete middle school and spend the summer approaching the beginning of high school. It is an especially challenging time for Isaiah, who is hyper-aware that his hidden personal musical preferences are not in sync with most of his Black adolescent contemporaries.

I’ll bet you anything that MID-AIR will seriously (We will, we will) rock you.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Adam Hussein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams: Book Review

Plot:

Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams is a thrilling and emotionally packed story about a young boy facing the hardships of growing up. He navigates numerous emotional and internal conflicts as he explores his social world, seeking to find himself. He faces the issues of loss, friendship, identity, and most of all himself. Isaiah (our main character) is then sent to live with his aunt and uncle in a rural town in North Carolina. He is forced to face the past and himself, where he ultimately finds himself and truly reaches his so long peace he yearned for. Along that journey, Isaiah meets many new characters who help him reach this goal by giving him new perspectives and being there so Isaiah can project his feelings that he’s always longed to open up.

Characters:

Williams provides many complex and vibrant characters that impact the story in their unique ways. Drew is a very complex and mysterious character, and we learn his true self towards the end of the book. He is also one of Isaiah’s closest friends in the story, who experienced the main conflict in the story with Isaiah. Darius is Isaiah’s closest friend, who Isaiah feels more connected to with his “weird” interests. he plays a drastic part in this story, which creates the main conflict. Isaiah’s parents are very important characters because they contribute to Isaiah's internal conflict with his identity and who he truly is. Isaiah’s aunt and uncle help with this conflict by giving Isaiah that place to open up and that peace of mind. Many characters throughout all of Isaiah’s trip in NC gave him perspective and the confidence to embrace himself.

Setting:

Setting contributed many factors to the story, especially with how Isaiah responds to those settings differently mentally and physically. Isaiah has many places he holds deep memories, with that attribute to his internal conflicts and overcoming his fears. Many settings connect Isaiah with his friends and bring them closer together. (SPOILER WARNING) A setting like the “Devil’s Slope” in NC shows development in Isaiah and his overcoming his fears, but most of all himself, and beating something he always struggled with. That setting gave the turning point to Isaiah, resulting in the conclusion of the story.

Conflict:
One of the main conflicts in this story was Identity and Isaiah's concealment of his true self in fear of judgment. Isaiah struggles to fit in with other black boys like him because of his interests; what he liked was not what other boys like him usually liked. Isaiah likes rock and metal music, skateboarding, painting his nails, plants, comics, etc. Isaiah has been picked on for being a “wannabe white boy,” or “rockstar,” or “not black”. Isaiah also faces loss in the story, which is most attributed to the dynamic we see between him and Drew, and how they result in and at the end of the story. Isaiah also faces the conflict in his and his father’s relationship, and Isaiah’s curiosity on why he was always gone. Isaiah later finds out why his father did what he did and gains his perspective when he went to live with his aunt and uncle in NC.

Theme:

A main theme in this story is to live your own life. This theme is presented in the aspect where Isaiah is starting to embrace himself. Isaiah is learning to stop worrying about what other people might think of him, and he should just live his own life. Isaiah stops doing other things for the validation of others or the appeasement of them, but rather to do it for himself. He truly learns this when he begins to conquer his fears. Isaiah learns to accomplish something not to prove to everyone else but to himself. Isaiah gains his peace of mind when he even hears this from the one person who was trying to gain validity from, they didn’t care whether he did it or not, because it is his own life to live.

[TyBoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Follett First Look

Isaiah has been friends with Darius and Drew for a long time, and the three often try to break world records, often involving their skateboards. Both Drew and Isaiah have to deal with fathers who frequently travel; Isaiah's father is a photographer for National Geographic while Drew's is in the military. While he gets a long with these friends, Isaiah doesn't tell them everything about himself. He collects vintage concert t shirts from heavy metal groups that his friends consider "too white", he enjoys helping his mother with plants for her business, and he secretly enjoys wearing nail polish. His father thinks he should "toughen up", but sometimes the stunts that his friends want to pull are too much for him. When the three try to break a record for wheelies, they head to a neighborhood with better street surfaces and encounter someone who yells at them to leave. Tragedy occurs when the melee ends with Drew not seeing a car approaching. Both Isaiah and Drew are devasted by their friend's death and think it's their fault. Drew becomes very quiet, leaving Isaiah to suffer alone. During the summer, Isaiah is sent to live with relatives and help on the farm, which is very therapeutic. He meets a girl, Kiana, who accepts his "softer" side and even gives him black nail polish to wear. When he returns home, he has a better grasp of who he is, connects more with Darius, and gets ready to start high school as his authentic self.
Strengths: Like Williams' Genesis Begins Again, this is a great exploration of personal identity, a very important topic in middle grade literature. It's interesting to see her embrace the novel in verse format. I particularly enjoyed Isaiah's relationship with both of his parents, which was close but somehow detached in the way that parent-child relationships tend to become when children get into high school and have to decide who they are in the world at large. The grief is certainly there, but I appreciated that Isaiah was working at overcoming his guilt and really trying to figure out how to move forward. The difficulties with Drew are also well portrayed, and the fact that Isaiah is concentrating on his own issues and not really understanding what his friend is going through is absolutely true to life. There's a lot of healing and understanding that goes on, leaving this book with a hopeful ending as Isaiah starts high school unafraid to show the world his interests.
Weaknesses: This is a rather contemplative and long novel, which would probably appeal very much to Isaiah himself, but doesn't have as much action as the cover would indicate. On the bright side, it is a book that involves skateboarding without involving the characters in building a skate park.
What I really think: This is not quite as philosophical as Rhodes' Ghost Boys, Draper's Tears of a Tiger, or Alexander's Rebound, and is equal parts dealing with grief and finding personal identity. This is a good choice for readers who want to read about more well rounded male friendships, like those in Jung's The Boys in the Back Row, Lucas' Thanks a Lot, Universe. or Craft's New Kid.

[Evelyn O'Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaiah killed his best friend. At least that's what thirteen-year-old African American Isaiah Dawson has convinced himself after failing to keep watch for cars in an epic wheelie-popping challenge. One thing Isaiah loved more than challenges, biking, or rock music, was his friends. So when Isaiah loses one of his best friends he is left numb with guilt and irrepressible regret. Even worse, he feels like no one understands him and conceals his innermost feelings and identity. Mid-Air follows Isaiah and his process of healing, self-discovery, and the pressures of society.

I truly adored this book. Isaiah is such a sweetheart, his love for his diseased friend is strong and real. The difficulties of revealing and embracing his true self accurately depict the confusion of this age frame. This book is written in verse form, meaning the chapters are more like poems than basic book structure. This makes the text easy to read, engaging, and unique compared to other YA books I've read. If you're looking for something different, emotional, and exciting, I would recommend reading Mid-Air!

CONTENT WARNINGS:
*Violence: a character recalls being jumped and beaten
*Death: a character dies by getting hit by a car, not graphic
*Mental Health: descriptions of grief, depression, and trauma

This book was on the Longlist, National Book Awards 2024 for Young People's Literature. However, technically this wasn't an award, just a recognition. Mid-Air has, however, been awarded the AAUW NC Young People’s Literature Award 2024 which is given out by North Carolina since 1953.

It was on the Longlist according to National Books because this book describes this story, "in verse, beautifully and depicts and reflects on the innocence, adultification, and joys of Black young people with nuance and heart." It won the AAUW award because it was an impactful story for young adults and because the author, Alicia D. Williams, is a North Carolina author.

I agree with this recognition and award. I would have voted for the book to receive a higher rating than the Longlist. This book if read in schools could have a huge impact on students. The book uses the voice of modern young adults. It may seem unusual and grammatically incorrect at times, but language is something that connects youth. Not only that but the Guinness World Records, bikes, skateboards, and the short lyrical lines, are super engaging and would reach students who aren't particularly into reading. Mid-Air has powerful themes and displays life lessons for young adults such as: Loving and trusting your family members, friends, and yourself. Telling the truth, and when you mess up humbling yourself and apologizing, and more! I loved this book and I believe it deserves even more recognition than it has received.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
First off, I’m not typically a lover of novels written in verse but the narrator’s voice uses slang and vocabulary making the words relatable and appealing for readers. The lines often sound like free verse with the words expressing the emotions and thoughts of the characters. A critical moment uses the words, “I scream… CARRR-CARRR!... Too… late.” Some of the lines read like sentences so young readers shouldn’t be intimidated or challenged to read them. Italicized phrases let readers know when characters are speaking to each other. The poetic narrative controls the pacing of the words to fully express the deep feelings and thoughts of the tragic accident and the emotional recovery.
Isaiah is the main character and his love of music is common among middle-graders, although his interest in classic rock groups is not. He has a secret collection of classic concert t-shirts with Aerosmith being his latest addition. Kids at this age sometimes have interests that might become embarrassing so Isaiah dresses up in his shirts and listens to the oldies rock songs in the safety of his closet. His friends sometimes comment that he’s a black boy trying to be white so he can’t let any of them know his secrets. Also, his dad thinks Isaiah needs to be toughened up so he can’t let his father know that he wonders what it would be like to polish his toes purple. Isaiah is afraid to let anyone know his inner self and this conflict continues until the end.
Dealing with grief is the main theme of the book. The characters struggle with different emotions associated with loss including sadness, denial, anger, and guilt. Isaiah is especially hurt that his other friend Drew won’t talk to him about the death of Darius. Isaiah won’t open up to anyone else either and the anger, grief, and guilt are eating him up inside. Handling death is a process and his parents give him the time and space to talk when he’s ready. Unfortunately, Isaiah’s emotions cause him to make some poor choices that cause his mother to make a life-changing decision.
What didn’t work as well:
The author may give Isaish too much to worry about as there are additional, serious subplots added to the story. The grief, doubt, self-expression issues, father’s absence, a racial incident, and Drew’s inner worries combine to complicate Isaiah’s life and give readers a myriad of topics to think about. Perhaps more than needed.
The final verdict:
Using verse to share the emotional story creatively shares the turmoil inside Isaiah’s mind. The language and slang make it relatable to young readers. Overall, it’s a sensitive story of grief and growth and I recommend you give it a shot.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isaiah’s best friend Darius was fearless—always making and taking bets. When Drew joins their group, he is the same way. But Isaiah is less brave but doesn’t want to let on, so he joins them and hopes he won’t have to participate in some of the record-breaking stunts.
“Okay, so yeah, I
choked at the skate park.
Choked on top of the garage.
Choked when backflipping off a tree.
Doesn’t mean I’m going to flake this time.…
I wanna be like water. I really do.
Wanna ride down & come up laughing even if I flop.
Wanna have my boys finally give me props .
But no matter how long I stand there psyching myself—
no matter the next boy is rushing me to get going—
no matter that a bet was made—
I
can’t
do it.” (ARC 8-9)

But then during one of the stunts Darius is fatally hit by a car, and Isaiah, on lookout, feels responsible.
“Dad struggles to put words together.
I go back to covering my eyes
Knowing nothing he’ll say
Will ever make me understand ‘why.’” (ARC 47)

Isaiah decides that he and Drew need to break records to finish the work that Darius started, but Drew shuts down, and Isaiah feels he needs to hide some of himself from Drew—like collecting comics, talking to plants, vintage tee shirts, and the time he decides to paint his toenails. Drew appears to be growing away from him, spending less time, and Isaiah assumes it is him. When Drew admits that his father is not overseas in the military but in jail, and Isaiah unthinkingly asks what “he did,” the friendship appears to be over.

Isaiah’s parents send him south for 6 weeks of summer vacation between 8th and 9th grades to his aunt and uncle’s farm where his aunt and uncle give him lots of responsibility and farm work and also invaluable advice:

“’Isaiah,’ Uncle Vent continues, ‘I tell you like my daddy told me and your momma. Your shoulders might get heavy, head even drop low, but walk tall like you belong in this world, ‘cause you do. Hold yo’ head high, ‘cause it’s your birthright. You got a right to joy and peace and whatever else you want.’

I inhale his words. Words from my grandfather.
My rights. Never heard it put that way before.” (ARC 246)

There Isaiah meets new kids (and a girl he likes) who don’t judge him.
“Kiana purses her lips.
‘To be honest, I don’t care if you do or you don’t
I mean, it’s your life, ain’t it?’

Hold up, she doesn’t care? She doesn’t care?
She won’t think I’m weak…or soft…or nothing?

…I’m now thinking about what she said.
Plus, Uncle V.’s talk about my rights.

I mean, they have a point.
It is my life. Mine.” (ARC 254)

And when he returns home and faces Drew, he learns that Drew had been hiding some of himself as well, and he had not been the friend to Drew he thought he had and it as time for “real talk” on both sides.

A coming-of-age novel-in verse for those who feel the need to hide part of themselves and don’t feel that they can be brave.

[Sheila Bracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Be like water,” Isaiah says. “Always,” Darius replies. These are the final words the boys say to each other before Darius takes off on his bicycle to break the Guinness world record for a wheelie. Isaiah is in charge of watching for cars, but a chaotic, unexpected confrontation ends with a tragic fatal accident.
It’s the last few months of eighth grade, and Isaiah feels lost. He thought his summer was going to be him and his boys Drew and Darius, hanging out, doing wheelies, watching martial arts movies, and breaking tons of Guinness World Records before high school. But Darius is…gone. Isaiah and Drew, each deal with grief and guilt in their own way: Isaiah wants to open up about his pain, while Drew withdraws. Drew’s not the same since Darius was killed, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in clothes, his love for rock music, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah, he is violently attacked, which makes him think Drew’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, less him, things would be easier. After the attack, Isaiah begins to shut down, and his mother sends him to visit relatives in North Carolina. There, Isaiah begins a journey of self-acceptance and unpacking of the emotional weight he has been carrying.
Williams handles the sensitive topics of death, grief, racism, violence, and racial and gender expression with care, making sure the narrative doesn’t become overly dark and heavy. Written in verse, the novel’s focus on Isaiah’s inner world allows readers to witness the evolution of a thirteen-year-old Black boy dealing with life-altering events, navigating challenging relationships with friends and family, and, finally, feeling comfortable enough to reveal his full self in the process. Beautiful grayscale illustrations are interspersed. 4