The Sky Above Us by Natalie Lund, Philomel, 9780525518037, c2021
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Realistic fiction
What did you like about the book? An unnamed island in the Gulf is the setting of this novel, seniors are on the beach, waking up from a night of partying when a small plane flies over and crashes into the water. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character, from the present to the past to the present. Three girls and three boys, the boys were the ones on the plane and the girls are related to or involved with the boys.
This is a difficult story to read; not only because of the deaths of the three young men, but because of how their deaths affect those who are left behind. There are so many questions, was it an accident or suicide? How? Why?
The author gets into each teen’s head and is able to touch on the emotions they are feeling without being overly dramatic or condescending. And, though it deals with heavy topics, there is a glimmer of hope at the end, heartrending as it is.
To whom would you recommend this book? Fans of realistic fiction will be gripped by this story.
Who should buy this book? High school libraries and public libraries
Where would you shelve it? YA Fiction
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Near the top
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Maria Touet, Malden Public Schools
Date of review: June 5, 2021
Youth Services Book Review 
You must be logged in to post a comment.