Reading Metrics
Description
Told from alternating points of view, Chanel and Eleanor's rocky start to senior year gets more complex when the cheerleading team kneels for the national anthem. Text includes racism, profanity and drug use. The coauthor is Gilly Segal.
Quick Summary
What makes "Why We Fly" stand out is the way it mixes the high-energy world of cheerleading with a raw, unflinching look at race, protest, and the messy reality of teenage friendships. Teens who loved the socially conscious punch of "The Hate U Give" or "All American Boys" will find this story hits a similar nerve while keeping the focus squarely on the drama of senior year. Parents should be aware that the book contains occasional profanity, scenes of drug use, and frank discussion of racism, so it's best suited for older high-school readers who can handle those themes. The story follows two best-friends-turned-rivals, Chanel and Eleanor, whose once-easy dynamic is thrown into chaos when the cheerleading squad decides to kneel during the national anthem, forcing each girl to confront her own values, family expectations, and the consequences of standing up (or sitting down) for what she believes. The alternating points of view let you feel the tension from both sides, making the conflict feel personal and the emotional stakes feel real. With a word count around 68 k and a reading level that sits comfortably at a 5.4, it's a solid choice for readers who want a fast-moving, thought-provoking YA novel that doesn't shy away from the hard stuff.