A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe

This powerful mixed-form collection captures the raw, interconnected experiences of New York City teens navigating the COVID-19 pandemic through prose, poetry, and short stories. Award-winning author Mahogany L. Browne masterfully blends grief, fear, and loss with resilient threads of love and hope as her characters confront unprecedented challenges. The alternating voices create a mosaic of pandemic life that feels both intimately personal and universally resonant for young readers who lived through this era.

What distinguishes this work is its unflinching yet compassionate approach to documenting adolescent resilience during collective trauma. Teen readers will find their own experiences validated in these pages, while parents and educators gain valuable insight into the emotional landscape of pandemic youth. The collection's artistic structure and authentic voice make it particularly impactful for classroom discussions about mental health, community, and finding light in darkness.