If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062885022
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Being a HS senior with a huge goal is stressful enough for any young person but Leighton is also faced with domestic violence, two scared siblings, a budding romance and a somewhat magical home.  While her community is concerned about the huge influx of crows our heroine is busy juggling life at home and in school.   McCauley knows and treats the subject of domestic violence with tender care, it is obvious that the father has a problem, the three sisters are in no way viewed as weak or complacent.    The boyfriend is perfectly written into the story, his gentle and loving attention is an exact opposite to the violent father.   Teen readers are going to adore Liam, stand by Leighton, respect strong Campbell and Love sweet Juniper.

Each character has been well developed and yet readers will wonder why the mother does not stand her ground.  That is not easily answered and remains the question in many domestic violent situations.  Oh, and the crows, so many crows but there is one very special one named Joe who almost resembles an angel.   The author uses the crows to drive the inner story of Leighton’s love of writing while tying it into the overall plot.   This is a coming of age story that blends part magic, love, relationships, and to a large degree courage.   Add to HS and middle school media centers and to public libraries who collect YA.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME