Title: Harley in the Sky
Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: March 10, 2020
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Summary
Growing up in a circus in Las Vegas run by her parents, Harley has always known she wants to be an trapeze artist. However, her parents have a different idea. They want her to go to college. After a particularly bad series of arguments, Harley runs away to join a rival circus to follow her dreams.
What seemed like an opportunity quickly turns into something else entirely. Harley learns that in the circus, not everything is what it seems. But it’s also there where she starts to learn to find herself and learns that with hard work, her dreams could be achievable. But in order to really fly, Harley has to come to terms with the sacrifices she made to get there.
Review: Harley in the Sky
Thanks to the team at Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy of this to review! Akemi Dawn Bowman is one of my favorite YA authors, and this book is one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. Bowman has a knack for writing emotionally charged books with characters that grab onto your heart and don’t let go. Harley does exactly that; paired with the backdrop of the circus, there’s so much to love in this book.
Dreams Galore
One of the most alluring things about this book is Harley’s drive to follow her dreams. While her path hurts a lot of people along the way, she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. Harley is brave, even if she is a bit impulsive at times. You’re rooting for her throughout the entire book, desperately wanting her to succeed at what she’s always dreamed of: being able to fly in the circus.
And the circus! I actually don’t think I’ve read any YA books that are set in the circus (I don’t even think there are many that are?). At first, I was a bit worried that it would be too focused on that aspect, but we almost see a different side of the circus. We see how hard it can be for people to make it in the business and how it can create new found families. Not only are we seeing how Harley is pursuing her dream, but also Vas, Vivien, and Dexi. There’s a cast of characters that you fall in love with and desperately hope that they’ll all be able to achieve their dreams.
Mental Health
Throughout the book, Harley deals with mood swings and has a lot of discussions about the fact that she doesn’t feel in-between; her emotions are very black and white. While this is never labeled as anything in the book, it’s clear there’s some sort of mood disorder happening. Additionally, there are discussions about therapy and mental health, but nothing comes of them because Harley’s parents are against it. However, by the end, there’s a note of hope that this will change in the future.
Though Harley doesn’t have a label by the end of the book, the discussion surrounding her mood swings is relatable. Harley feels things so deeply, and Bowman does a good job of illustrating these emotions throughout the book. The emotions! Bowman always succeeds at writing emotionally charged books.
Verdict: A unique setting and emotionally charged, Harley in the Sky will inspire you to follow your own dreams.
5/5 stars