A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe

Poet Browne (Vinyl Moon) delivers a mournful remembrance of those who died during the pandemic in this love letter to New York City and its resilient teen population as they adjust to a changed world. Beginning with “Chorus: Wild Fire,” Browne introduces best friends Electra and Hyacinth, two “Trini-to-the-bone” city girls who lament unkindness while bolstering their own benevolent attitudes in the face of world tragedy. These interstitials act as a grounding point to which the narrative tirelessly returns (“This is why Electra and I are chorus. We have seen it all”) as mesmerizing poetry and at times gut-wrenching prose combine to present a series of seamlessly interconnected stories following myriad characters. There’s Malachi, who is navigating online classes while longing for in-person connection; Tariq, who must be mindful of his susceptible grandmother’s health; delivery driver Tam, who’s caring for her younger sister after their parents’ deaths to Covid; and others. Each story—some of which occur in jails including Rikers and in neighborhood bodegas—serves to further flesh out this powerfully humanizing portrayal of N.Y.C. and its residents, making for an emotionally impactful read. Ages 12–up. (Mar.)