This was such a great story. It does a good job at following a young black boy as he works through grief and family issues.

My Thoughts:

Perfect for middle level readers, this is the story of Isaiah, his inner turmoil of fear, guilt, grief and eventually self forgiveness. "Be like water," Isaiah says. "Always," replies Darius as he takes off on his bike to break the Guinness world record for the wheelie. Isaiah is the lookout person for cars, but there is an unexpected confrontation that ends in Darius' death. Williams' handling of the heavy themes in this book are also like water. She has a delicate touch with sensitive topics like death of a teenager, grief, racism and gender expression. The illustrations by Novgorodoff add to the feeling of vulnerability and hopefulness.

I think struggling middle level readers, especially boys, need to be given more novels in verse like this. It will bring them back to reading.

From the Publisher:
It’s the last few months of eighth grade, and Isaiah feels lost. He thought his summer was going to be him and his boys Drew and Darius, hanging out, doing wheelies, watching martial arts movies, and breaking tons of Guinness World Records before high school. But now, more and more, Drew seems to be fading from their friendship, and though he won’t admit it, Isaiah knows exactly why. Because Darius is…gone.

A hit and run killed Darius in the midst of a record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch, ready to warn: “CAR!” Now, Drew can barely look at Isaiah. But Isaiah, already quaking with ache and guilt, can’t lose two friends. So, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together­­­—they can spend the summer breaking records, for Darius.

But Drew’s not the same Drew since Darius was killed, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in clothes, his love for rock music, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?

Publication Information:
Author: Alicia D. Williams

Illustrator: Danica Novgorodoff

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (April 23, 2024)

Hardcover: 320 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1481465830

An okay set-up for a verse novel. While changing friendships in the wake of grief is well-trod ground, we don't often explore that from a male perspective. We don't always connect with the characters in a meaningful way and the plot seems to flit around without focus.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/life/family/2024/04/19/new-novel-in-verse-mid-air-gives-gift-of-story-to-grief-alicia-d-williams-genesis-begins-again/73381451007/

https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/upstateparent/2024/04/19/new-novel-in-verse-mid-air-gives-gift-of-story-to-grief/73359885007/

This novel in verse will be perfect for my middle schoolers. Dealing with the aftermath of a tragedy, completing dares, social media, changing friendships, and family dynamics all kept me engaged. The fast read will gain readership with this author.

Thank you to netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books for allowing me access to this book. I loved that this story was told in-verse.

Isaiah's never been a risk taker. That's his best friend, Darius, and their newer friend Drew. Isaiah promised Darius he'd face one of his fears by the end of the summer, but when Darius tragically dies, Isaiah faces guilt and grief.

This beautiful story in verse offers a poignant look at grief, friendship, and learning to embrace who we are. Isaiah is an engaging character, and readers will not only identify with his journey through grief but also his struggle to explore and embrace his identity.

This book was written in verse and surprisingly very powerful. It’s the story of 3 friends, one of whom dies after getting hit by a car. It goes through all the thoughts and feelings of the main character Isaiah as he deals with life and death. Great middle grade book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

This book will surely appeal to today's middle grades readers. The language used by the author perfectly captures the dialogue of young people in this age group. The writing was well done, so that I could feel like I was hanging out with these youngsters. As someone who reads aloud to middle grades students, they would be hanging on every word. Not only is the book well-written from the language perspective, but it gently and honestly deals with grief while staying away from anything that could be construed as overly "political" (a huge issue from parents when choosing books for your classroom library). Isaiah, is preparing to enjoy the summer with his two best friends before entering high school. They are ready to spend those months popping wheelies on their bikes, skateboarding, and watching martial arts movies. Until tragedy befalls the friend group and they must try to pick up the pieces and move on. The main character and his family find a way for him to come back from the depths of trauma and grief in a way that honors the losses, while also recognizing the beauty of being alive. I loved that Isaiah had some things about himself he wanted to keep secret, like his love for comics and vintage rock band tees. Who among us hasn't felt that something which brought them joy needed to be kept to themselves for fear of what their friends would think? Mid-Air will appeal to that sometimes hard to please male middle grades demographic.

Alicia D. Williams is the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again and I’m proud to say, a North Carolina author. Mid-Air is a middle grade novel in verse of a vulnerable teen struggling with the tragic death of his best friend. He’s supposed to be “tough” but he’s grieving.

It’s nearly the end of eighth grade, and Isaiah is feeling lost. He was looking forward to summer vacation with his boys Drew and Darius. They’d hang out, do wheelies, watch martial arts movies, with the ultimate goal of breaking many Guinness World Records before beginning high school. All that changed when Darius was killed.

The friends were in the middle of a record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch… he should have yelled CAR! Even though there is no one to blame but the hit and run driver, Isaiah, is plagued with ache and guilt. Even so, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together­­­. They will spend the summer breaking records, to honor Darius.

But nothing is the same since Darius was killed, and friendships are strained. Isaiah wishes he could be less sensitive, and more tough. After all that’s what’s expected of a boy his age, right?

This is a beautiful portrayal of how kids experience grief and the heart breaking reality of inequality. I feel young teens will relate to the heartbreak of friendship, self discovery, and finding love in life’s tough moments.
I highly recommend!

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed this one. Books in verse seem to be love or hate for me. This one had a strong storyline and great illustrations I think kids would enjoy. It was a strong story about a boy’s journey to find himself and come into his own while he tries to redefine a friendship of three minus one. It was funny and sweet and sad all at the same time. I am surprised I’ve never heard of this author before and plan to grab her other novel asap as I enjoyed her style, character development, and storyline in this one. I recommend this book for all ages and can’t wait to share Isaiah’s story with my students as they love novels in verse, and I enjoy putting diverse books with positive messages and outcomes in their hands. Though the overall story is sad, there’s strength in these characters and families and friendships that’s worth the read.

In this middle-grade novel, Newbery Honor-winning author Alicia D. Williams explores the tender complexities of adolescence and grief. Isaiah, grappling with the loss of his best friend Darius, navigates the pressures of growing up while clinging to what is left of his shattered world. Williams crafts a compelling narrative in verse, capturing Isaiah's fears and struggles. Through Isaiah's journey of self-discovery, the novel delicately addresses themes of grief, friendship dynamics, and the quest for acceptance. Enhanced by gorgeous watercolor illustrations by Laura Freeman, this quietly powerful tale offers a poignant reflection on loss and the journey to self-acceptance, making it a valuable addition to any middle-grade collection.

Thank you NetGalley and Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books for this e-arc.

This was a beautiful example of how kids experience grief and the heart breaking reality of how our society treats Black boys like grown criminals. Teens experiencing friendship heartbreak, discovering identity, and finding love in the cracks of tough moments will appreciate this. I will for sure be buying this for my class library.

Thanks, NetGalley for the chance to read!

In Mid-Air, a poignant middle-grade novel in verse by Newbery Honor author Alicia D. Williams, Isaiah grapples with the sudden loss of his best friend, Darius. Struggling to navigate grief alongside his remaining friend, Drew, Isaiah confronts his own identity, his emotions, and the absence of his father. While Isaiah's experiences may not all be directly relatable to me, the novel offers a powerful exploration of friendship, loss, and finding your way in a world that feels like everyone and everything is against you..

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange of an honest review.