If These Wings Could Fly
Cover Design by @DCurtisStudio
[Content Warning] This book contains frequent realistic depictions of domestic violence that may be disturbing for some readers.
Interview with YALSA’s THE HUB
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“Poignant and powerful…There are titles for teens that address the realities of dating violence, but it’s more difficult to find stories of family violence; in her debut, McCauley traverses the tender ground with grace.” —Booklist
IndieBound • HarperCollins
Book Depository
Amazon • Target
Barnes & Noble • Indigo
Goodreads
UK Edition: HarperCollins UK
German Edition: DTV
French Edition: Pocket Jeunesse
Italian Edition: Rizzoli
Russian Edition: Eksmo
Praise for If These Wings Could Fly
“Living in a house that magically conceals the damage inflicted by her volatile father’s rampages, Leighton Barnes finds nothing strange in the thousands of crows descending on her town. As tensions mount in town and at home, she struggles with simultaneously wanting to escape and to protect her mother and younger sisters. Through haunting, lyrical prose McCauley builds a devastatingly authentic tale of intergenerational trauma and violence and society’s “blind eye” that perpetuates it.” — YALSA Morris Award Committee
“A hauntingly intense tale thrumming with hope! A stunning, powerful debut.” -- Tiffany D. Jackson, award-winning author of Monday's Not Coming
“A deep dive to illustrate the quiet strength of those in the darkest situations, If These Wings Could Fly is atmospheric, brilliantly drawn, and ultimately hopeful.” -- Mindy McGinnis, author of The Female of the Species
“Heartbreaking, important, and layered with so much hope, this book breathes magic into every chapter.” -- Akemi Dawn Bowman, Morris Award Finalist and author of Starfish
“McCauley expertly blends the devastation of family with the invincibility of first love and sisterhood. This debut marks the start of a bold new talent!” -- Justin A. Reynolds, author of Opposite of Always
"[A] lyrical novel [with] authentic, intimate first-person narration... Strong writing that features some dreamily lovely turns of phrase... A powerful, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful debut." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Poignant and powerful, this novel uses magical realism to examine choice in a difficult world. There are titles for teens that address the realities of dating violence, but it’s more difficult to find stories of family violence; in her debut, McCauley traverses the tender ground with grace." -- Booklist
"McCauley offers just a touch of magical realism here, layering a painfully honest exploration of domestic violence with a subtle eeriness... Her narration is elegant and thoughtful... a refreshing portrayal of two teens who negotiate their own challenges while acknowledging those of others." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A beautiful, powerful, and emotional story that tugs at your heartstrings as it empathetically and honestly steers you through the pain of domestic violence.” -- Farrah Penn, author of Twelve Steps to Normal
“If These Wings Could Fly is a tense and emotional story that will in turns break your heart, make you swoon, and leave you feeling hopeful.” -- Elizabeth Eulberg, author of Past Perfect Life
“A careful, sharp exploration of rage, love, and what it means to balance on the knife edge between them.” -- Rebecca Barrow, author of This Is What It Feels Like