Book: CHLORINE SKY by Mahogany L. Browne
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Release Date: January 12, 2021
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 978-0593176399
Position in Bibliography: Debut Novel, Standalone Novel
Numbered Pages: 178
Chapters: 98 (Chapter Titles, Not Numbered)
Word Count: Approx. 17,000 words
Cover Art: Kgabo “Saint Rose” Mametja
Jacket Design: Ray Shappell & Torborg Davern
Interior Design: Jen Valero
Text Font: 10.75-point Adobe Garamond
Audiobook Run Time: 2 hours and 5 minutes (Unabridged)
Audiobook Narrator: Narrated by the Author, Mahogany L. Browne
Genre: Fiction – Contemporary, Poetry
Setting: Unknown
Tense: Present
Point of View (POV): First Person
Themes/Subjects: Friendship, Self-esteem, Sisters, Sports (Basketball, Swimming), Dating
Triggers: Sexual Assault, Addiction, Bullying
Purchase: Bookshop I Barnes & Noble I IndieBound I Amazon
Add it to Goodreads: Here
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Synopsis:
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.
With gritty and heartbreaking honesty, Mahogany L. Browne delivers a novel-in-verse about broken promises, fast rumors, and when growing up means growing apart from your best friend.
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Dedication: “to my grandmothers:
thank you for teaching me kindness
to my younger self: you deserve, you deserve, you deserve
to my daughter: you are the most beautiful poem i’ve ever written”
Find the Acknowledgements: End of Book
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Cover Blurb:
“A story about heart and backbone, and one only Mahogany L. Browne could bring forth.” — Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of LONG WAY DOWN
Jacket Copy Blurbs:
“Mahogany L. Browne’s debut YA is an absolute masterpiece. It will leave you breathless.” — Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of THE POET X
“A profound reminder that sometimes the most revolutionary thing a girl can be is herself.” — Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DEAR MARTIN
“Browne’s poignant writing will undoubtedly bring readers back to her stories again and again.” — Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling author
“A searing voice that commands attention.” — Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of the BELLES series
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Characters + Identifiers (In Order of Named Appearance):
Sky “Lil” (Main Character) – Age unknown, “hair ain’t close to being good so I keep it in a real real real tight ponytail until the sun get so hot I jump in & cool my sadness down” (p. 7), boring eyes (p. 28), mother is on drugs and not at home (p. 21), father is in prison (p. 29)
Lay Li, Given Name is Liliane – Best Friend, pretty (p. 4), “got that good hair so she don’t care if it’s wet & loose.” (p. 7), bangs (p. 143)
Curtis – Lay Li’s Boyfriend, pretty boy (p. 1), light-skinned (p. 3), hazel eyes (p. 9)
Essa – Lil’s older sister, pronounced “Eee-sah” (Page 8), the smart one (p. 36), dimples & moves like royalty (p. 41), different father than the main character (p. 60)
Tyrone – Basketball Summer Program Player
Adam – Basketball Player
Miss Irene – White hair & a permanent scowl (p. 17)
Inga – Lil’s older cousin, “bun wrapped tightly in a knot at the top of her head” (p. 40), 5’11 & tallest in family (p. 63), community college student (p. 64)
Shawn – Lay Li’s First Real Boyfriend
Samantha, Octavia, Teeja, Tiffany – Lay Li’s Friends
Grandma Maxi
Auntie Renee – Inga’s Mom
Clifton – Lil’s Boyfriend, Tyrone’s cousin, brown eyes & 5’11 (p. 42)
Ms. Meeks – 4th Grade English Teacher
Mr. Wacobi – Teacher
Tre – Neighborhood Youth
Teneisha – Neighborhood Youth
Liz & Leah – Lay Li’s Younger Twin Sisters
Adrian – Schoolmate, Lil’s first kiss, smells like fresh-cut grass and hay (p. 102)
Angel – Schoolmate, “her baby hair was eco style perfect,” light green eyes, bone straight ash-blond hair (p 98), pretty but acts like she doesn’t know it (p. 110), wears her ponytail to the side (p. 111)
Darius – Angel’s Boyfriend
Kiyana – Lil’s Friend
Andre – Kiyana’s Twin Brother
Ronique, Russ, Serenity, Justin, Irving, Raymond – Neighborhood Youth
Dre – Basketball Player
Uncle Lenny
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Fun Facts:
There are pop culture references including Zendaya, Skai, Storm, Megan, Nicki, Beyoncé (p. 2), Luther Vandross (p. 46), Iman, Eva, & Naomi (p 128), Method Man, Missy Elliot, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Lisa Leslie, Steph Curry, Misty Copeland, Drake, Fannie Lou Hamer, Oprah, Cardi B (p. 162)
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Suggested Reading: Books by Elizabeth Acevedo, Nikki Grimes
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