How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
If These Wings Could Fly
Featured
Young Adult Fiction
608
Heart-breaking & Empowering
Overall rating
4.7
Plot
5.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
4.0
Beautiful and gut-wrenching doesn't begin to describe Kyrie McCauley's debut novel, If These Wings Could Fly. McCauley brings to life the abuse one teen and her family faces, handling the subject with sensitivity and great detail. Mixed with a small dose of magical realism, If These Wings Could Fly should be required reading for everyone, not just the teens it is written for.
Leighton Barnes is starting her senior year of high school when the book begins. Unlike most seniors, Leighton doesn't see school as the end of summer, but more a refuge. For her, school means that her two little sisters are safe from their father for the next eight hours. Summer for Leighton was a nightmare, one she's ready to escape. My heart ached for Leighton. She is a strong character, one you root for right from the start. She doesn't back down from the abuse, instead she protects her sisters the best way she can. For Leighton, life is never normal. She can't date, she doesn't have many friends, and extracurriculars are a joke. But a lifeline is within reach. College means escape, but can she really leave her sisters?
While the plot centers around Leighton and her family, in the background are the crows. The crows become a magical element in the story. No one really knows why they show up or what they are doing in their small town. I love how the author ties the crows to Leighton's family. As her father's abuse heightens, more crows arrive. Little things like the house magically repairing itself and one crow that Leighton names after her late grandfather, all tie into the plot beautifully.
Despite the darker nature of this story, I really enjoyed If These Wings Could Fly. McCauley opens the door for discussion about domestic violence, shining a light on people who turn a blind eye to it. It's so easy to explain away a bruise or anxiety in a friend without really understanding what may be happening to them at home. Leighton's journey through this book is beautifully written (ironic, right?) and hooked me right from the beginning. I highly recommend this one to anyone that enjoys YA literary fiction.
Leighton Barnes is starting her senior year of high school when the book begins. Unlike most seniors, Leighton doesn't see school as the end of summer, but more a refuge. For her, school means that her two little sisters are safe from their father for the next eight hours. Summer for Leighton was a nightmare, one she's ready to escape. My heart ached for Leighton. She is a strong character, one you root for right from the start. She doesn't back down from the abuse, instead she protects her sisters the best way she can. For Leighton, life is never normal. She can't date, she doesn't have many friends, and extracurriculars are a joke. But a lifeline is within reach. College means escape, but can she really leave her sisters?
While the plot centers around Leighton and her family, in the background are the crows. The crows become a magical element in the story. No one really knows why they show up or what they are doing in their small town. I love how the author ties the crows to Leighton's family. As her father's abuse heightens, more crows arrive. Little things like the house magically repairing itself and one crow that Leighton names after her late grandfather, all tie into the plot beautifully.
Despite the darker nature of this story, I really enjoyed If These Wings Could Fly. McCauley opens the door for discussion about domestic violence, shining a light on people who turn a blind eye to it. It's so easy to explain away a bruise or anxiety in a friend without really understanding what may be happening to them at home. Leighton's journey through this book is beautifully written (ironic, right?) and hooked me right from the beginning. I highly recommend this one to anyone that enjoys YA literary fiction.
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Giveaway: Happily Ever Afters (Elise Bryant) ~ (US Only)
Happily Ever Afters (US Only) by: Elise Bryant Release Date: January 5th, 2021 Publisher: Harpercollins Children's Books/Balzer + Bray About the Book: Jane the Virgin meets To All...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Chat with Amanda Hocking (The Ever After), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Amanda Hocking author of The Ever After. Read on for more about Amanda and her book, plus a giveaway! Meet Amanda Hocking ! AMANDA HOCKING ...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Alexandra Bracken (Lore), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Exclusive Trailer Reveal: Those Who Prey (Jennifer Moffett), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to share the book trailer for Those Who Prey (Jennifer Moffett) ! Read on for more about Jennifer, and her book, plus the trailer & giveaway! Meet Jennifer Moffet...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Karen McManus (The Cousins), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Indie Superstars with the Author of Born Royal + Giveaway (International)
Welcome to YA Books Central's "Indie Superstars" column. This event will spotlight the best and brightest of the indie community. You don’t want to miss out on these talented ...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black teen...
Twelve-year-old Rosie Singer’s mom is missing whatever it is that...
On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los...
It's been almost a year since Sila's mother traveled halfway...
Jocelyn and Alex have always been best friends...until they aren't....
From New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing comes the...
This captivating second book in Bree Barton’s Heart of...
In the heart-pounding second book in the Shadow Skye...
Latest Member Reviews
"Rosie has always taken care of herself and her mother in their house overlooking the coast of Maine. Her mother..."
"Sila's family has been happy in Oregon, even though her father, who is a mechanical engineer, has to work as..."
"Jocelyn always looks forward to the vacation in a cabin that she and her friend Alex's family take every year...."
"Hannah doesn't understand why her parents are SO overprotective, even though she occasionally has a hard time dealing with her..."
"Bird, her twin brother Fitch, and their older brother Chase are all doing the best they can in 1986 Park,..."
"Daniel isn't all that sure why he was chosen to go on an outdoor experience trip with four other students..."
"After her adventures in Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation, Charlie is hiding out in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador,..."
"Amari has struggled in the private school she attends on scholarship because the other students are mean to her, and..."
"Maggie has always wanted a dog. Her younger brothers Liam and Noah have each other, and her parents are expecting..."
"I DREAM OF POPO is a beautiful book about immigration, family, and culture. A young girl loves spending time with..."
"Ali Sloane is tired of moving. She's changed schools and houses/apartments so many times that she can't claim any one..."
"Jack Reynolds is the sort of kid that teachers put in the back of the classroom-- surrounded by all of..."
"THE READING HOUSE set is a really fantastic motivator for early reading. Each book focuses on a letter, with it..."
"THE READING HOUSE set is a really fantastic motivator for early reading. Each book focuses on a letter, with it..."
"Jenae prefers being quiet and blending in. She doesn't mind that it means she's alone most of the time, especially..."
"When a sudden power outage strikes Metropolis, the Superhero Girls are thrown for a loop, especially Batgirl aka Babs. She..."
"When Elodee's world is shaken, she and her family, including her twin sister, Naomi, move to Eventown. At first, Eventown..."
"A STORY FOR SMALL BEAR is a beautifully illustrated picture book about saving time for the things that matter. As..."
"NO READING ALLOWED is a delightfully charming take on homonyms and sound-alike words. The book features two panels for phrases..."
"FIVE LITTLE MONSTERS JUMPING ON THE BED is an adorable board book that changes up the classic song just a..."