Why We Fly

Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question the status quo or is facing the social fallout of standing up for a cause. It is an essential read for the teen who feels caught between their desire to belong and their growing sense of social justice. The story follows best friends Eleanor and Lottie, two competitive cheerleaders who take a knee during the national anthem, a choice that sends shockwaves through their school and tests the foundations of their friendship. It masterfully explores themes of racial inequality, white privilege, and the personal cost of activism. This is a realistic, secular contemporary novel suitable for ages 12 and up. Parents will appreciate how it moves beyond slogans to show the messy, complicated reality of being a young ally or activist in a divided community.