Young adult novels are so important because they cover meaningful topics from a young lens, and THE SKY ABOVE US perfectly falls into that category. Thank you so much to Turn The Page Tours and Philomel Books for sending over THE SKY ABOVE US by Natalie Lund!
The Sky Above Us Synopsis
From the publisher: From the author of We Speak in Storms comes a twisty, psychological thriller about three friends searching for the truth in the aftermath of a plane crash.
The morning after their senior year beach party, Izzy, Cass, and Janie are woken by a thundering overhead. Then they and their classmates watch in shock as a plane crashes into the water. When the passengers are finally recovered, they are identified as Izzy’s twin brother, Israel, Cass’s ex-boyfriend, Shane, and Janie’s best friend, Nate. But Izzy can feel when her brother is in pain, and she knows he’s not really dead. So she, Cass, and Janie set out to discover what actually happened that day–and why the boys were on the plane.
Told in alternating timelines and points of view, this powerful and captivating novel follows the three boys in the weeks leading up to that fateful flight, and the girls they left behind as they try to piece together the truth about the boys they loved and thought they knew. A spellbinding story about the ripple effects of tragedy, the questions we leave unanswered, and the enduring power of friendship.
My Favorite Things About The Sky Above Us
1. Character Emotions: Although so many teens, and especially teenage boys, are afraid of showing their emotions, the characters in THE SKY ABOVE US weren’t ashamed to admit to how they were feeling. I loved the portrayal of the teen boy characters and how they leaned on one another for support. There are so many stories about toxic masculinity and how men bottle up their emotions, and this novel was original in its descriptions and plotlines surrounding the characters’ emotions.
2. Character Emotions: Although so many teens, and especially teenage boys, are afraid of showing their emotions, the characters in THE SKY ABOVE US weren’t ashamed to admit to how they were feeling. I loved the portrayal of the teen boy characters and how they leaned on one another for support. There are so many stories about toxic masculinity and how men bottle up their emotions, and this novel was original in its descriptions and plotlines surrounding the characters’ emotions.
3. Portrayal of grief: Overall, THE SKY ABOVE US is a story about grief. It may be marketed as a psychological thriller, but it’s a young adult book that covers love and loss with a splash of mystery. If you’re looking for a book to put you in your feels (but in a good way!), this one will do it for you. Natalie Lund expertly captures the drama and sadness that it’s like to be a teenager—especially one dealing with traumatic experiences that no one should have to go through. It’s a beautiful story about the intricacies of human life.
About the Author
Natalie Lund is a young adult author and a former middle and high school teacher. She graduated from Purdue University’s MFA program, where she taught introductory composition and creative writing and also served as the fiction editor of The Sycamore Review. Her debut novel, WE SPEAK IN STORMS, is on sale September 3, 2019. Natalie is a member of SCBWI and is represented by Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Literary Agency. She lives in Chicago with her husband and a very photogenic cat. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram @nmlund.
The Sky Above Us Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of THE SKY ABOVE US by Natalie Lund!
*Open to USA residents only.
Giveaway starts: Monday, April 12, 2021
Giveaway ends: Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:00 a.m. CST
Where to Buy The Sky Above Us
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