Book Review: "Chlorine Sky" By Mahogany L. Browne
She looks me hard in my eyes
& my knees lock into tree trunks
My eyes don't dance like my heartbeat racing
They stare straight back hot daggers.
I remember things will never be the same.
I remember things.
Recently, I read Chlorine Sky, a verse novel by Mahogany L. Browne. She is a black author and the Executive Director of JustMedia, an organization that focuses on media literacy within the space of systemic reform.
Chlorine Sky follows Skyy, a young black girl who feels overshadowed by her best friend and hurt by her sister's constant insults. She finds refuge in playing basketball, but even the guys she plays with aren’t sure they want her there. Skyy feels excluded and unable to find a place in her world where she is wanted.
Throughout the novel, Skyy takes us through her tumultuous relationship with her best friend and what happens when a boy finally looks at her first. Of course, as with most coming-of-age novels, there is a major focus on growth and the importance of loving yourself as you are.
Written in a type of narrative poetry, Chlorine Sky is a quick read with an abundance of emotion. I tend to gravitate toward verse novels, like Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga, because they hold the ability to shift the entire story with only one or two verses. It’s a beautiful format to dig into, and I highly suggest you try it if you haven’t.
Browne carefully navigates toxic friendship dynamics and attempts to encapsulate the feeling of being a young black girl outside of typical societal norms. This book was written for its audience to find themselves in it, and while I do not relate in most ways to the narrator or her struggles, it’s easy to see how important this could be to someone in their teens who does.
With incredibly complex characters and pages upon pages of stunning verse, this is a must-read for anyone looking to get into poetry but still desires a narrative to follow. This novel is available on Libby as well as in print in our catalog.
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