"An absolute masterpiece." -Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X
From the first ever poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center comes a bold coming-of-age story told in verse about a young woman who loses a best friend, but finds herself in the process. The joys of basketball, the tumult of high school, and the bonds of family are lyrically woven together in this must-read novel.
With Lay Li I don’t have to think too hard
I’m the friend of the star
& I don’t mind, not at all
It gives me time to think about my dreams & the WNBA
But when I call Lay Li & she don’t pick up
A pit in my stomach grows like a redwood tree
Sky is used to standing in the shadow of her best friend. Lay Li is the sun everyone orbits around. But since high school started, Lay Li has begun attracting the attention of boys, and Sky is left out in the cold. The only place Sky can find her footing is on the basketball court. With each dribble of the ball, Sky begins to find her own rhythm. Lay Li may always be the sun, but that doesn’t mean Sky can’t shine on her own.
With gritty and heartbreaking honesty, a critically acclaimed poet, delivers her first novel in verse about broken promises, fast rumors, and learning to generate your own light.
“A story about heart and backbone, and one only Mahogany L. Browne could bring forth.” –Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down
Mahogany L. Browne is a California-born, Brooklyn-based writer, educator, activist, mentor, and curator. She has published several books of poetry, and she is an Urban Word NYC Artistic Director (as seen on HBO's Brave New Voices), founder of Women Writers of Color Reading Room, and Director of BLM@Pratt Programming, and facilitates performance poetry and writing workshops throughout the country.
Mahogany's poetry picture books include Black Girl Magic and Woke Baby.
"A profound reminder that sometimes the most revolutionary thing a girl can be is herself. I couldn't put it down." —Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
"A story about heart and backbone, and one only Mahogany L. Browne could bring forth." —Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down
"Browne’s searing and poignant writing will undoubtedly bring readers back to her stories again and again." —Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling author
"A searing voice that commands attention." —Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of the Belles series
"Chlorine Sky is a vivid literary balm that animates the English language with rhythm, heart, and radical truth telling love." —Aja Monet, Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam Champion
"A remarkable, compelling voice." —The Bulletin, Starred Review
"A coming-of-age novel for Black girls who have been told they’re too much and yet never enough." —Kirkus Reviews
