From the first ever poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center comes a bold coming-of-age story told in verse about a young woman who loses a best friend, but finds herself in the process. The joys of basketball, the tumult of high school, and the bonds of family are lyrically woven together in this must-read novel.
With Lay Li I don’t have to think too hard I’m the friend of the star & I don’t mind, not at all It gives me time to think about my dreams & the WNBA But when I call Lay Li & she don’t pick up A pit in my stomach grows like a redwood tree
Sky is used to standing in the shadow of her best friend. Lay Li is the sun everyone orbits around. But since high school started, Lay Li has begun attracting the attention of boys, and Sky is left out in the cold. The only place Sky can find her footing is on the basketball court. With each dribble of the ball, Sky begins to find her own rhythm. Lay Li may always be the sun, but that doesn’t mean Sky can’t shine on her own.
With gritty and heartbreaking honesty, a critically acclaimed poet, delivers her first novel in verse about broken promises, fast rumors, and learning to generate your own light.---from the publisher
192 pages 978-0593176399 Ages 14-17
Keywords: novel in verse, coming of age, friends, self image, basketball, poetry, African American and Black stories, diversity diverse books, Black Girl books, 14 year old, 15 year old, 16 year old, 17 year old
