
A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe
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About this listen
In this poignant mixed voice, mixed form collection of interconnected prose, poems and stories, teen characters, their families, and their communities grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fear and loss, these New York City teens prevail with love, resilience and hope. From the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky and Vinyl Moon.
"[A] gorgeous, tender testament to the generation of young people who shouldered the pandemic.”
--Brendan Kiely, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author
Grief, pain, hope, and love collide in this short story collection.
In New York City, teens, their families, and their communities feel the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the fear and loss, these teens and the adults around them persevere with love and hope while living in difficult circumstances:
- Malachi writes an Armageddon short story inspired by his pandemic reality.
- Tariq helps their ailing grandmother survive during quarantine.
- Zamira struggles with depression and loneliness after losing her parents.
- Mohamed tries to help keep his community spirit alive.
- A social worker reflects on the ways the foster system fails their children.
From award-winning author Mahogany L. Browne comes a poignant collection of interconnected prose, poems, and lists about the humanity and resilience of New Yorkers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
©2025 Mahogany L. Browne (P)2025 Listening LibraryCritic reviews
★ "Heavy, important, powerful and evergreen; remembers kids during the time when the world stopped." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "An emotionally impactful read." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "The book boasts memorable characters and beautiful writing—especially the poems. It is singularly relevant in its unsparing examination of the plague and its impact on young lives." —Booklist, starred review
★ "An essential purchase to explore grief associated with the pandemic; give to fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Elisabet Velasquez." —School Library Journal, starred review
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