I really enjoyed this, it’s an interesting take on activism in the age of social media. It follows two best friends whose whole world is cheerleading, that is until an NFL player makes headlines by kneeling during the national anthem and they decide to do the same. But it comes with way more ramifications than either girl could have anticipated it. I like in this book that both characters are flawed and are working on calling themselves out and becoming better. I also like books that feature friendship breakups because it’s an important story to tell for teenagers. Some people aren’t meant to stay in your life forever. However this one made me confused because I do feel like it could have been a problem that was fixed. But overall I still really enjoyed the story and these two authors are really talented at writing characters you know are only just at the beginning of their journey of figuring out who they are and where they want to go in this world.

This book had great potential. It really tackled some tough topics and did so very well. However, I thought there was a big missed opportunity to go more in depth about why the cheer squad was kneeling. I really enjoyed reading this book, just thought it could've gone more in depth. Another missed opportunity was more description of the cheerleaders' routines and skills. I think there are a large group of students that will pick up this book based on the cover and will want more cheer skill description.
Overall this book was well-written and enjoyable to read. It has a lot of promise as a conversation starter.

I really enjoyed this book though there were moments where I was very upset with the characters. This book is one that I feel that teens now could really relate to, whether they are more like Chanel or more like Eleanor or even somewhere in between. The representation was wonderful and of course, the situations as realistic as they are triggering. Its really timely novel and I hope that the adults, especially educators, that read it really pay attention to the narratives and how their own actions are like those of the adults around the MCs.

I really enjoyed I'm Not Dying With You Tonight, and so when I saw Jones and Segal had collaborated again, I was excited. This novel was powerful, in a different way, but was not without its flaws. For example, it seemed somewhat strange that Eleanor wouldn't recognize how much higher the stakes would be for Chanel. She seemed oblivious to how Chanel was treated differently, and why she would feel so resentful of losing the captaincy to someone who wasn't even around the team for months. As for Chanel, reading such a bitter character was not always fun, but at the same time, her bitterness was deserved. I thought the vaping "addiction" was a somewhat ridiculous storyline, but I appreciate the effort to be topical and to show that her actions had conseuences. I think this would be a great addition to a justice-minded book club unit.

While I was disappointed in how some of the main relationships played out, I felt that this overall was very realistic and well done. It gives the reader much to think about. It shows how you can be an ally with the best intentions but still have blind spots and not realize how the same actions can have harsher consequences for others based on the color of their skin, and how it is important to have conversations with your friends to learn how they’re thinking and feeling and to not make assumptions. It also shows how the “right” choice isn’t always clear or obvious, and sometimes you think you’re helping a cause on a grander scale but you’re harming those closest to you. I think everyone can learn something from this book.

This was my first book by Jones and Segal, and I am so glad to have found them. Why We Fly follows two best friends and cheerleaders, Leni and Nelly, whose lives are changed when they decide to kneel at one of their school's football games. Nelly, who is Black, experiences the fallout that Leni, who is Jewish and white, does not, even though the kneel was Leni's idea and Leni is the captain of their squad. These characters felt so fleshed out and real to me that I was sad at the end! I also enjoyed that while there was a romance, it did not take the forefront of the book. The reason this isn't quite a full 5 stars for me is that Leni had a concussion and sort of doesn't admit to all the physical and mental struggles she is experiencing because of that (to her parents or doctors). Overall this one was a fast engaging important topic of a read.

Kimberly Jones does it again! This book is dual perspective & follows two cheerleading best friends who choose to kneel during the national anthem. It dives into social justice causes relevant to students in an approachable way. I HIGHLY recommend this read.

This novel addressed how protest is viewed differently depending on race. The conversation was made even more authentic because it was written in dueling perspectives by both a Black and a white author. Not only did we witness the backlash for one girl over the other, but both girls learned that their single act of protest isn't enough to bring about change. The most important work is done after the shocking stance has been taken and the media has moved on. It's about what you do next to make the world a better place regardless of who is watching. I truly enjoyed this novel and think it will be an enlighten read for anyone that opens its cover.

Chantal is just back from a summer cheer camp, sure she will be chosen captain for senior year and full of ideas about how to organize and motivate her team to a national championship. Best friend for years Eleanor is also sure Chantal will be picked; Eleanor has been sitting out cheer for most of the past year after two concussions and she has a much less take-charge style. Eleanor’s selection as captain is the first crack in their friendship, Jewish Eleanor’s budding romance with Three, the Black star quarterback is the second, and when Eleanor impulsively encourages the cheer squad to take a knee to protest racial injustice, Chantal is not surprised when she, the Black girl, is suspended while the others on the team have milder consequences.

Alternate narrators, Chantal and Eleanor are complex, thoughtfully drawn characters with supportive families who bring their very different life experiences to the difficult intersection of sports, race, and friendship. Great choice for a high school book club. Don’t miss the excellent debut by these authors, I’m Not Dying With You Tonight.

Realistic Teen fiction taken from recent events surrounding pro football and high school cheerleading squad. The authors wrote a good story of the impacts of “taking a knee” on the lives of Black and white students and pro athletes in 2019. Would like to read a sequel to see what these young people do in college leading up to the summer of the Black Lives Matter protests.

When I first finished Why We Fly, I was a little uncomfortable and couldn't quite place my finger on why. I thought it was because the ending was too positive (perhaps a reflection of my current state of mind, i.e. so tired from all the negative things happening in the world?) Or maybe it was because there were so many unaddressed questions left unanswered. Or maybe because I wasn't satisfied with the lack of justice meted out, in this case of racism, to certain characters who happen to be white.

Then I realised that I was putting too much onus on one book. I was expecting it to be neat and tidy like fiction, whereas, despite it's positive ending (which I loved, ironically enough), this book is messy and unclear like real life is. And my perspective shifted from reading this book as an informative source of information meant to help me on my anti-racism journey to reading it as a way to understand some of what people of colour go through.

It won't come as a surprise, then, that I now consider this book a very strong book club contender. I especially would want white and white-passing people to read it and really try to understand what completely went over the main white character's head: the influence of racism in the situation she and her Black co-main protagonist find themselves in (the book is written from their dual perspectives.)

4 stars

_Why We Fly_ is an exceptional time capsule: a solid representation of what was happening at the time in which the novel is set AND a clear precursor to today's continuing struggles.

Chanel and Eleanor are best friends who tell this novel from joint alternating perspectives, and WOW, do their experiences both connect and diverge in important ways. In addition to sharing their friendship, they both attend the same high school and are members of the same cheer squad. The similarities fade from there. In smaller and then glaringly obvious ways, Eleanor (Leni) receives opportunities and grace that Chanel (Nelly) just doesn't. It is frustrating and then infuriating to watch the injustices mount, but their respective un/awareness of this underlying layer is portrayed expertly. It takes Leni a LONG time to recognize that the characters' disparate treatments and outcomes are based on distinct parts of their identities, not their behaviors. Nelly, her family, and other characters are aware of this immediately.

In some ways, this novel is billed as an investigation into what happens to the cheer squad that decides to take a knee, but it's much more than that. The authors create two round and believable characters who - while they have some slightly too conveniently wrapped up circumstances at times - teach readers about windows and mirrors. I absolutely love that this happens economically. As a constant and avid reader of YA, I'm exhausted by the choice to publish 400+ page novels, especially when the work would be so much more impactful with less fluff. Jones and Segal pack in a lot of content, subtlety, and meaning, and they do this in a speedy, age appropriate style and form. I'll be recommending this one to students for a long time to come.

Why We Fly is a cheerleading novel with some big issues at its centre. It follows the fallout after some high school cheerleaders take the knee at a football game through the eyes of a Black and a white protagonist, both cheerleaders on the same squad. I enjoyed all aspects of this book, from it’s realistic outcomes to its gritty, determined characters. If you are looking for a fast-paced YA novel that explores issues around racism and feminism then this will be a good book to pick up when it releases in October.

Chanel ‘Nelly’ and Eleanor ‘Leni’ are two high school seniors with big ambitions. Both need cheerleading for their college applications – Nelly has big academic goals and Leni wants to make a good college cheerleading team. Both want their team to make it to a national cheerleading competition. Both Nelly and Leni have their battles – Leni is returning from a serious injury and concussion and Nelly is juggling all her academics and extra-curricular activities. When the cheerleading squad is inspired to take the knee at a football game, they have no idea how much it is going to change their lives and the way they are viewed.

I like how the authors chose to have protagonists of different race, just like they did in I’m Not Dying With You Tonight. I think this is such an excellent way of showing how people of different race are treated differently and how Black people are disadvantaged. Nelly is treated way more harshly for the team’s decision to protest than any of the white girls on her team. She’s also looked over for captaincy despite being technically the most capable and having the right leadership skills for the role. Leni has to go through her own process – she isn’t particularly aware of her privilege and I wish there’d been a few more pages taking her on more of a journey towards understanding how the team’s actions affected Nelly way more than the rest of them.

One of the things I loved about this book is the realistic way things worked out. From high school romance to the girls discovering the difference between a moment and a movement when it comes to activism, I think the book really hit a high note on what it’s like to be a teenager. The side characters were also intriguing, with the book showing a variety of parenting styles, and a range of friendships and relationships. I liked that romance wasn’t at the centre though there are elements of it throughout. I also thought it was good that it showed the difference between the respect the girls receive and the boys on the football team who are revered.

Overall Why We Fly is a great novel that has a number of important messages. It managed to integrate these messages with a fun story about cheerleaders with big ambitions, breaking high school stereotypes. I can highly recommend this book!

This book was incredible.

It follows two high school cheerleaders learning to balance their careers and roles as students With what they believe in, what they know is right. When their school tries to silence their movement, what choices do they make?

Both the protagonists were strong ans flawed individuals that readers could easily relate to, and the passion in the story was something that translates directly to the real world. This book is one everyone should read.

The writing is poetic and strong, it holds relatable aspects and inspiring quotes and everything you need for a strong novel.

The only struggle I had was there was so little descriptive language I was halfway through the book before I realized which girl was which on the cover, and that felt incredibly important to the story.

The irony at the beginning of the book is that Leni is a cheerleader (flyer) struggling with concussion after effects and an injured ankle, working hard to get back into the air. And my sister is a cheerleader struggling with many concussion after affects and two screwed up ankles trying to get back to cheering 😂

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✧
4/5 Stars

Synopsis: This book takes a deep and much needed dive into social injustice. Eleanor and Chanel are teenage best friends who become interested in wanting to change the way their school handles discrimination. They decide to take a knee during the national anthem at the football game, ensuing drama and betrayals in their relationships.

I read this book in less than 24 hours, it was so addicting. The beginning was a little slow but about 40% through I definitely was invested. This book is an essential read for teens looking to make a difference, and a great way to inform them about how to do so.

I was glad that the squad had people to look up to and seek for help such as Rhonda, Rabbi Spinrad, and Cody Knight to teach them how to successfully make a difference and why is it important to do what they are doing. At the beginning of the book it is revealed that Eleanor (Leni) suffered a concussion and as a result has headaches. I was pleasantly surprised that the symptoms lasted the whole book, as normally authors may forget about or skip over a factor that the book was very focused on at the beginning. Even though the main focus of this book is social injustice it does a good job of also portraying normal high school problems, goals, and relationships. Also how teens deal with high expectations and college pressure from teachers and parents, substance abuse, and depression. This book teaches teens or anyone who wants change to stand up for what you believe in, and that some people may disagree. The downfalls of this book were I occasionally forgot/couldn’t tell who’s point of view I was reading at that moment. After Leni talks to Rhonda about how else she can help, it feels like the social injustice plot fizzles out. Overall this was a great read and very informative!


Favorite Quotes:
1. “ ‘Well-behaved women rarely make history’ “
2. “ ‘We’re protesting injustice in this country. I can’t imagine that will all be fixed by Friday night. Why would we go back to pretending everything’s fine, now that we’ve made it clear that we think it’s not?’ ”
3. “ ‘An ally supports a cause without suffering any consequences for their actions. But an accomplice takes the hits along with the people they’re trying to support.’ ”

An excellent story of interracial friendships and romantic relationships. Two competitive cheerleaders engage in a minor act of social activism, with very different results due to their races (one is black, the other Jewish). The Jewish girl, who is suffering from post-concussion syndrome, becomes involved with a black football star who has his sights set on the NFL and doesn't think social activism is anything more than a distraction for him and his team.

A. Rey quick and powerful read. The emotions and reactions felt authentic to today’s high school experience and this book is sure to start and continue many conversations.

My goodness what a read. I'm so happy to see social issues discussed even in stories and most importantly young people being encouraged to take a stand and speak up. I loved seeing this issue through Long time friends Leni and Nelly as they go through their Senior year and the stress that goes with it.
This book should definitely be on your tbr and if you can be bumped up to your next read list.

YA novel taking on the controversy associated with early BLM taking a knee efforts. Very slow to start, the cheer squad doesn’t take a knee until halfway through the book and some of the issues raised fizzled out too soon.

Inspired by the 2016 social activism events when players first began taking a knee and loosely inspired by Colin Kaepernick and Kennesaw State College Cheer Team. The novel switches perspective alternating between Eleanor and Chanel two best friends and cheer teammates. Eleanor is white and a flier who has suffered from some bad falls that resulted in dangerous concussions. She has to stay home and recover with physical therapy, while her friend Chanel who is black goes off to cheer camp to learn new tricks and train with renowned coaches. When they return to school and Eleanor is finally allowed to return to her sport, she is surprisingly awarded the captain role over Chanel who felt she should have been given the honor. Thus begins the tension between the girls even before the upcoming social activism takes place. Pair this with Eleanor's romance with Three the all star quarterback which creates even more tension in the story. This coming of age story really does encompass many of the difficulties that teens, specifically those of color must face as they move from childhood into a time where the choices they make can have serious repercussions on the lives they will lead as adults. There are some deep questions to be pondered here and although it may pull in readers who connect to high school and football and cheerleading, there is much more to be discussed, including how repercussions can be different depending on the color of skin you have. This topic is especially relevant as we watch the current 202o Olympics where a number of controversial topics have been discussed by the media.