Mahogany L. BrowneCritiques

Agirl who is tired of being in the shadows decides to shine.

Skyy is used to hiding in the shadow of her best friend, Lay Li; shrinking away from her sister Essa’s harsh words; and turning invisible among her peers. The only place she stands out is on the basketball court going toe-to-toe with boys who think she shouldn’t be playing. While she and Lay Li are fighting and not speaking to each other, she reflects on the way her friend treated her, both during their friendship and afterward. Skyy garners the attention of Clifton, an attractive neighborhood boy, but his attention isn’t enough to help Skyy love herself. Through a process of self-discovery and by listening to the stories of girls around her, Skyy learns to stand in her truth and determine what she’s worth. Writing in free verse, Browne explores concepts that will resonate with readers navigating toxic friendships and budding relationships and growing into themselves. Her clear, descriptive word choices conjure vivid images and sharp feelings that pair well with the conversational flow, making the story accessible and appealing to reluctant readers. The decision to withhold Skyy’s name until the end of the text allows readers to find themselves in this story. Skyy and the majority of characters are cued as Black.

A coming-of-age novel for Black girls who have been told they’re too much and yet never enough. (Verse novel. 13-18)

-Kirkus Review

Gr 3–6—This evocative poetry collection examines a wide range of issues including social justice, identity, racism,
activism, police brutality, inclusion, immigration, and human rights. Bold, striking illustrations illuminate a powerful
and necessary call to action.

I picked this book up on a whim and it was lovely and powerful. It is a collection of poetry by 3 authors aimed towards both children and adults and it focuses on important and moving topics like race and equality and kindness. Very touching and I think it would be easy for anyone of any age to follow and understand.


Would fit The 52 Book Club's 2021 prompts:
1 - Set in a School
24 - A Book You Think They Should Read In Schools
26 - An Author Of Colour
36 - A Nameless Narrator
37 - An Educational Read
38 - Recommended on Bookbub
40 - Found via #Bookstagram

A fresh and evocative novel written in verse with a main character who has a wonderfully strong, likeable voice. Would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy Elizabeth Acevedo or Nic Stone!

Very charming!

“I’m not weak … I’m just tired of swinging” (59).

I’ve got a soft spot for books in verse recently. Chlorine Sky is vulnerable. I think this is definitely relatable for a lot of teens.

There’s no teaching moments or hold-your-hand passages. The obvious undercurrent of colorism and sexism doesn’t have to be explained, it’s just there. Sky has insecurities and her best friend no longer acts like one. Lay Li is what Sky visually wants to be and what she thinks boys her age/society will accept better. The narrative reads well, and it’s filled with AAVE done right.

4.5 stars

content warning: sexual harassment: boy kisses girl against her will and holds her firmly in place by her shirt

*A Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this. This is my honest and unbiased review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

First of all, I am not a poetry expert. When I rate poetry I go by the feelings it erupts in me rather then how it's written, there is no in-depth analysis. I am just a simple person. Second of all, Chlorine Sky is unique because it's poetry written like a novel. Each poetry piece is like a puzzle that when put together is a clear story.

While I liked the story a lot there were times I was a bit confused. This happened when the author would sometimes refer to the past or when Browne was purposely vague at some points. I did like the way Browne used word flow to her advantage, and the story also had a realness you really don't see too often with other poetry. Browne's writing is very powerful and you can really feel the pain and confusion Sky (The main Character) is feeling about growing up and loosing the person she felt the closest too.

Overall, a wonderful coming of age poetry book about loss.

This is a beautiful collection of poems and illustrations focused on topics of social justice. Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood have poetic styles that speak to each other across pages splashed with color. Each spread contains a different theme, from prejudice to protest to volunteering, that helps connect the beauty of the poem to the language of justice. Through gorgeous language and powerful images, this is a book that will teach and inspire young people to be the person they were born to be--and to use their voices and their power to make the world a better place.

I read this because some parents want it banned and removed from school libraries. This is a book that I'd recommend to all of my grandchildren. The author shows how parents hope for their children to be strong and seek justice for the world.

A book of poems, written by 3 women poets about topics that affect their community social justice, activism, and discrimination. The art work is bright and very colorful. I thought that Olivia Gatewood's poem What's in My Toolbox, is great example of a poem using wonderful imagery to explain the concept of privilege.

Intermediate
A collection of poems about prejudice and activism
This book is good for defining important ideas and terms in a readable way

4.5 Stars

CW: Bullying, sexual assault

Well that was a powerful YA verse novel about conflict within a friendship.

Mahogany's novel looks at the relatable story of how a once solid friendship breaks down. Jealousy, misunderstandings, and miscommunication are captured beautifully. I also appreciated how the author explored changing dynamics within relationships, and how personal growth alters the way someone connects with or relates to those around them. In this instance, as Sky becomes more sure of herself she is less comfortable having such a dominant friend. Lay Li expects Sky to conform to the standards she sets despite Sky not feeling these are a true reflection of who she is. I loved that Mahogany highlighted what equitable friendships look and feel like. Full disclosure, I had a few tear pricks of emotional pride at various points. Also, YES to another YA book with a skilled and ambitious sportswoman as the main character! Thoroughly engaging book about female empowerment.

Spring 2021 (May);

This book was beyond amazing. I was moved to tears by a number of these poems. They are so perfectly in this moment, both in the microcosm of black neighborhoods to the needs for interfaith across the globe. It touches on topics everywhere throughout these poems, and the art only bring it to another level. I can't wait to use this in my classroom next year.

I’m really not a poetry person. I don’t even have a poetry Goodreads shelf to put this on (yes, I know I can make one, but I have no intentions is changing my ways). I checked this out because my niece has shown an interest in poetry lately, and I wanted to see if this would make a good gift for her. It’s just one poem, but the book is nicely done. I liked the rhythm of the poem itself, the accompanying artwork, and the “roll call” inside the front and back covers. This poem is not written for me, but I did appreciate it, and I think it would make a nice gift.

A heartfelt and heart wrenching story with a mix of verse and prose that tells the story of the aftermath of Angel’s toxic relationship with her boyfriend and her mother. She’s sent across the country to live with her Uncle who takes his time in letting her find her footing. She’s enrolled in a new school where she finds the magic of reading books that represent her and what she has gone through. I really liked how Ms. Browne had Angel connect the books to music to express how they made an impact on her. The only downside was that the ending just fell flat. I felt that there was much more to the story, not just Angel’s but her Uncle’s, her mother’s and even the friends that she made. It ended too quickly. Let’s hope for more. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a very powerful book about self discovery. Finding out who your true friends are while at the same time finding your own self. Your own voice. I liked how the author used a basketball game as a metaphor for her life. How sky hast to like herself and not concern herself with whatever one else thanks.My favorite quote is “a friend is someone seeing you and hearing you without having to say anything”. I listened to the audiobook read by the author and it was incredible. Novel in verse is becoming one my favorite ya genres.

i really liked this early on, and at the end. there was a chunk through the second half, though, that i feel like lost its focus. in a book this short that's hard to weather. still, i love the basketball metaphor and how it mirrors life (even as i know nothing about and care even less about basketball), and the struggle with friendship and self-acceptance. an important book.

i love the way she describes a basketball as an orange world.½

Not as good as Chlorine Sky in my opinion, but strong writing from Browne and an important message to young audiences make this one worth reading.

(4.5)

I have only read a handful of novels in verse, but they are quickly becoming a favorite genre of mines and this was a clear standout.

The perfect book for budding activists. The pictures are well drawn and story is enjoyable. Excellent book for parents to explain movements and marches such as Black Lives Matter.

This book is made up of poems centering about justice, racial equality, and minorities. This book is really relevant to the world we live in today, so could be used to educate students on some of the issues taking place in our current society. This book would be appropriate for intermediate readers.

*A Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this. This is my honest and unbiased review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

First of all, I am not a poetry expert. When I rate poetry I go by the feelings it erupts in me rather then how it's written, there is no in-depth analysis. I am just a simple person. Second of all, Chlorine Sky is unique because it's poetry written like a novel. Each poetry piece is like a puzzle that when put together is a clear story.

While I liked the story a lot there were times I was a bit confused. This happened when the author would sometimes refer to the past or when Browne was purposely vague at some points. I did like the way Browne used word flow to her advantage, and the story also had a realness you really don't see too often with other poetry. Browne's writing is very powerful and you can really feel the pain and confusion Sky (The main Character) is feeling about growing up and loosing the person she felt the closest too.

Overall, a wonderful coming of age poetry book about loss.

A great series of poems perfect for middle schooler to adults on various topics.

RGG: Primarily a story of friendship with sub-stories of identity, especially of the female athlete and female / male dynamics. More poetry than a novel written in verse. Intense. Reading Interest: YA.

A novel in verse about a girl learning to define herself, rather than let others (her best friend Lay Li, her sister Essa, boys on the basketball court) do it for her.

See also: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Author site: http://mobrowne.com/bio.html (I'm certain I saw her at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in NY circa 2008)

Quotes

It's been a whole week
& the argument has grown teeth
Buried its fangs into our friendship
& won't let go. (30)

Today...I remember all the places I can easily disappear into...
& I can hear everybody lying to each other. (33)

The thing about bullies is
They only notice the people that don't fight back
They take your kindness for weakness
But I'm not weak
I'm just tired of swinging (59)

Lay Li got a way
of sounding way older than she is
which makes anyone on the other side of her advice
feel stupid or even worse, young & stupid. (92)

It's hard being friends with people
When you are still figuring out who you are (120)

It's like all my life
I've let how others feel about me
Tell me how I feel about myself (173)