Out of the Clear Blue Sky

by Isaac Blum

A heartrending story of loss, grief, and legacy that asks how much we can ever really know the ones we love—and what it means to love them, and ourselves, anyway. Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Adam Silvera.

Jonny has always idolized his sister, Carmel. She is the person he relies on for guidance, insight, and pretty much everything else.

Trish has always followed her father's lead. As a senator from Pennsylvania, he devotes his life to public service, and Trish is right there beside him, determined to make the world a better place.

But when the senator's plane crashes in Jonny’s backyard—killing everyone on board and taking Carmel's life as well—Jonny's and Trish's worlds are shattered in an instant.

As they navigate their own separate pain, Jonny and Trish each discover things about the people they thought they'd known best. And they find themselves Had they ever truly known the people they’d looked up to—and do they truly know themselves now that their loved ones are gone? Looking for answers, they turn toward each other for support, solace, and maybe something more.

In this powerful novel, award-winning author Isaac Blum explores what it means to grieve, to love, and to find yourself anew in the wreckage of personal tragedy. With his signature wit and compassion, he shares a story with one universal that while grief may shape our paths, it doesn't have to dictate our future.

Genres: Young Adult, Jewish, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, High School, Grief

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 17, 2026

About the author

Isaac Blum is an award-winning author and educator. His debut novel, The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen, was longlisted for the National Book Award, and won the William C. Morris Award from the American Library Association. His second YA novel, The Judgment of Yoyo Gold, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, and was named a best book of 2024 by NPR, Kirkus, The Horn Book, and the New York Public Library. His latest novel, Out of the Clear Blue Sky, publishes November 17, 2026. Isaac has taught English at several colleges and universities, and at Orthodox Jewish and public schools. Isaac lives with his family in Philadelphia where he watches sports and reads books that make him laugh while showing him something true about the world. You can visit Isaac online at isaacblumauthor.com and follow him on Instagram @isaacblum_

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW TO COME😭😭💔💔!!!!!!!!!

💔💨I'm in need of something that will mentally destroy me💔💨!!!!!!!!

[Eva B.]

That title is lowkey diabolical for a book about a plane crash lmao

[Rae Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the Clear Blue Sky is a YA novel built on the emotional aftershocks of a single catastrophic moment, and Isaac Blum uses that rupture to explore how grief reshapes identity, loyalty, and the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love. Jonny, who has always leaned on his older sister Carmel for direction, and Trish, who has built her life around her father’s public‑service ideals, are thrown into parallel spirals when a plane crash in Jonny’s backyard kills both Carmel and Trish’s father. Through their alternating journeys, Blum traces the disorientation of discovering that the people you idolized held secrets, flaws, and complexities you never saw—an unraveling that forces both teens to confront who they are without the anchors they once relied on. As Jonny and Trish tentatively reach toward each other for understanding, the novel becomes a quiet, compassionate study of how connection can emerge from devastation, and how grief, while shattering, doesn’t have to define the future.

[Stephanie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny and Trish sort of knew each other from the same social circles - Both sets of parents were affluent - one a senator and the other, I don't think I ever heard what Johnny's parent do - but they are wealthy- and belong to the same "country club".

A plane crash happens and Trish's dad dies along with Johnny's sister (she is on the ground). I don't think Johnny or Trish, or even really the parents of Carmel and Johnny - and defintely not their brother - and Trish - her mother - that they truly ever knew their loved ones.

There is a dog bone tossed in about the senator having an affair, and he no longer wants to run for reelection, and Carmel she attends the Jewish house of worship - way more than any one in her family knows.

A horrible accident brings together two lonely people. Good book

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Philomel Books for providing a copy of this novel!

I thought this was a really good read. Blum does a great job of expressing loss and grief. I was pretty much just bawling for the first third of the book. I also really liked the main characters. They both had similar arcs, in that they essentially in that they had to learn a "new normal" after losing a loved one, as well as accept that they might not have known their loved ones as well as they though. Even though both of their arcs were similar, it never felt repetitive. Yes, each character needed to learn essentially the same thing, but their journeys to get there were quite different.
I also really liked the relationship between Jonny and Trish. As I mentioned, they have similar emotional journeys, so I liked seeing them learn from one another. I personally wasn't a big fan of the romance element, It wasn't like the romance was "bad" or anything, I just think it would've been better without that edition.
I do wish we could've gotten a little more with Trish/Jonny and their families. I understand why this wasn't the case, as the focus was more on Trish and Jonny's internal struggles than their family relations. However, it would have been nice to get a little more closure there.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one genuinely surprised me with how much emotional weight it carried. What initially feels like a relatively straightforward coming-of-age story becomes a thoughtful exploration of grief, relationships, and the complicated process of figuring out who you are.

I really enjoyed the quieter, character-driven moments and the way the story allows its characters to navigate their emotions without always having the right words or answers. There’s a vulnerability to their experiences that makes them feel authentic, especially when it comes to the uncertainty and awkwardness of growing up.

The balance between heavier themes and moments of humor and connection was something I appreciated. It never felt like the story was trying too hard to deliver an emotional punch. Instead, those moments developed naturally through the characters and their relationships.

Overall, a tender, bittersweet, and emotionally engaging listen that reminded me how complicated growing up can be.

[Bethany Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @penguinteen for the digital copy to review!

Another book that was not on my radar that tackled grief and coming of age all at the same time, and I am really glad I read it. There is something about books for teens that talk about grief so bluntly and lets them be messy and make mistakes. Not only are they trying to grow up, but they’re learning to do so while missing someone intensely.

Jonny was such an interesting character. With how much he counted on his sister, watching him navigate the world without her was so interesting and also sad. How many of us have gone to text or call a loved one only to remember they are no longer with us? My heart broke every time. His growth was so beautiful and by the end, I was rooting for him so hard to keep going on his path forward.

Trish had a lot of internal baggage and I don’t mean that in a bad way. She grew up thinking and believing one thing only to have it all come down around her, changing everything she thought she knew.

Trish and Jonny’s secret meetups were so endearing and when they finally had their first kiss, I was surprised and felt a tug in my heart. They connected through their shared grief and trauma where they both lost people close to them, and they tried to help each other through it.

This book handles grief really well. I would recommend it if you like your coming of age stories that revolve around first loves, grief, and growing up knowing you’re different but relishing that part of yourself!

[Danna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“All of these people. There were too many of them. It was a whack-a-mole situation, but nobody had provided me with a mallet.“

Out of the Clear Blue Sky is a story about grief and moving forward told from the perspective of two separate, but linked losses. Jonny’s sister Carmel was killed in a freak plane crash that landed in their backyard. Trish’s dad was the plane’s sole passenger. Prior to the crash, the two knew of each other but didn’t know one another. Post-crash, they’re connected forever by the worst thing that has ever happened to them.

I really enjoyed Out of the Clear Blue Sky, along with the two other Isaac Blum books I’ve read. Jonny and Trish are both likable, warm, flawed characters. Their grief is palpable, but not so heavy as to make the book a difficult read (despite the heavy topic, I might somehow still describe this book as light and sweet?). I appreciated that Judaism shows up here, as I’ve come to expect from Blum, but in a less present way. I enjoyed reading about Jonny’s interactions with his rabbi, attending temple, and learning about the mourner’s Kaddish. And I also appreciated Trish’s journey of discovering parents are so much more than what we see on the surface.

Overall, I really liked this book and recommend it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[fanboyriot · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜
This book is a coming of age story, on the older side of young adult books with a first love where the main characters make a connection through shared grief and the trauma that came with losing a loved one so unexpectedly. It also just shows them trying their best to the changes of growing up.

I do think this book handled grief really well. Both point of views did the characters justice with how they dealt with everything.

Trish had a lot of internal things to work through, she watched a lot of things she thought she knew change in such a short amount of time. Jonny felt a bit more heartbreaking to me. The way he really counted on his sister and how she wasn't there anymore, the rest of his family just felt distant to him. I really liked his character growth in the end but it was so sad.

(☆ Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much to PenguinTeen and author for the opportunity.)


𝕴𝖓𝖋𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙
POV: Duel, First Person
Would I Recommend? Maybe
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🛩⚾️🌟

Spice Level: n/a
Funny Level: 😂
Sadness Level: 💧💧💧💧

Pacing: 5/10
Plot Development: 6/10
Characters Development: 8/10


⚠️ 𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Death of parent

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solitary, unforeseen event creates a ripple effect for Jonny and Trish. The Author is transparent as to this from the onset.

How, the Author explores grief, however, is what captivates the Reader's attention. There's not simply an exploration of feelings; there is, of course, the overwhelming sadness both teens feel but also the valid frustration with their immediate circle. There's also the Jewish cultural traditions of sitting shiva that Jonny, up until that point, possessed a vague understanding of. For those Readers who do not identify with this faith, feel the Author did a beautiful job sharing it. Moreover, when the Author writes of sharing memories of their loved one as way to keep them present, it resonated with this Reader.

Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group | Philomel Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#OutoftheClearBlueSky #NetGalley

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heart-wrenching exploration of grief and moving on. Jonny idolizes his older sister Carmel, turning to her to explain to the world to him. Trish idolizes her state senator father, believing that he is working hard to make the world a better place. When the small plane that the senator is flying in crashes into Jonny's backyard and kills not only the senator and the pilot but Carmel as well, their worlds collide in ways they could never have imagined. Jonny finds solace in the Jewish customs surrounding mourners. Trish puts everything into carrying on her father's work. As they grieve their loved ones, they also learn more about the lives they lived. Together, they find the strength to savor the memories and move forward with their own lives. Highly recommended for grades 9 & up.

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

[Jasmine Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc. Out of the Clear Blue Sky is a novel that deals with love, and the grief that will inevitably come with it. It forces you to consider what would we if your life changed in an instant.
I love how messy and real the characters are. They felt real in a way few books about grief and its messiness do for me.
I loved the characters learning about their loved ones post mortem and having to reckon with what that does to their own perception.
I would have loved for this to be longer and go more into the parents relationships and how they repaired (or didn’t repair) the damage done but overall I enjoyed this story.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trish has a life as a Senator's daughter. Jonny is just trying to get through life. When unexpected circumstances bring them together not only once, but twice, both need to figure out how to go on with their lives. Trish's mom plans on following her dad's footsteps. Jonny is searching for answers. When they begin trying to heal, talking to each other seems to be the only things that helps them exist and figure things out. A heartbreaking story of family, loss, and grief, and teenagers trying to make their way through life after loss. Thanks to Mr. Blum, Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told through multiple points-of-view, Jonny and Trish help each other navigate through loss and grief when Trish’s father’s plane crashes into the yard when Jonny’s sister was outside and killed her. Trish and Jon slowly become friends and support each other with all they’re going through. Trish’s dad was a senator and her mom at one point wants to run for governor to carry on his legacy. Will she end up doing it? Will Trish and Jon continue to stay in each other’s lives?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kasey Connors-Beron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received and ARC of Out of the Clear Blue Sky thanks to the publisher through NetGalley and leave this review voluntarily.

While the set up for this book is a bit farfetched (I mean what are the chances?), I really loved the portrayal of grief within these two characters. I love that they were able to bond and heal together but that it was not a slam dunk relationship. It was awkward but so sweet reading their relationship evolving. I also liked the mystery component. It was enough to keep me intrigued without taking away from the character development, instead it enhanced it.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was a beautiful coming of age and dealing with grief story. Growing up and grieving aren’t linear, and relationships (family and romantic) can be messy. This story of two teens dealing with the loss of an integral family member and learning how to live with the loss and realization that people are more complex than they might appear is so well done. Jonny and Trish are characters that grow realistically in this story. I’m definitely adding it to my school’s library.

[Carlyn Morenus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, moving book about grief, loss, and finding a way to move forward. Beautifully written. Trish is a Senator's daughter. Jonny is an introspective Jewish teen who has depended on his sister Carmel for living his life. When the Senator's plane crashes, improbably killing Carmel on the ground, Trish and Jonny, and their families, are left adrift, trying to figure out how to keep living without such important people missing from their lives. Their journey is brought to vivid and believable life, and it's beautiful to witness the unfolding.

[Robin Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley for the Arc of this YA book that is a wonderful story of connection after loss. Told from the points of view of Jonny and Trish who both experience loss from the same event and how they come to heal after their loss. They grow both separately and together throughout the story and the writing and development of these characters throughout was done in an excellent way for a YA book.

[Jess Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Summer had that unreal quality to it, like a kind of exciting purgatory, an in-between space that didn’t count on life’s ledger, where even impossibilities were possible.”

This book was a gut punch, man. These poor kids navigating grief and yet, finding hope and promise in one another. I laughed, I cried, I felt anger… I loved it. Thank you for the ARC Philomel Books! 4.75 ⭐️

[Staci Vought · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fiiiiinnnnnaaaaalllllyyyyyy finished this one, took almost 2 months! I never really clicked with it. I kept wanting to like it & I did like the general premise, but it just seemed like a lesson in dealing with grief that was conveniently packaged as a YA book.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus