In addition to being the inaugural poet-in-residence at the Lincoln Center, Mahogany L. Browne is a playwright, organizer, educator, and award-winning author. Her most recent book, A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe, was a 2025 National Book Awards Longlist for Young People Literature title and recipient of four starred reviews. Known for their compelling voice, resonant themes, and nuanced characters, Browne’s young adult novels in verse are powerful conversation starters in and out of the classroom.
Mahogany L. Browne
award-winning writer, playwright, organizer, and educator
★ “Heavy, important, powerful and evergreen; remembers kids during the time when the world stopped.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “An emotionally impactful read.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “The book boasts memorable characters and beautiful writing—especially the poems. It is singularly relevant in its unsparing examination of the plague and its impact on young lives.” —Booklist, starred review
★ “An essential purchase to explore grief associated with the pandemic; give to fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Elisabet Velasquez.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“[An] intriguing and heartbreaking collection of stories and poems.” —The Bulletin
★“A remarkable, compelling voice.” —The Bulletin, starred review
“A coming-of-age novel for Black girls who have been told they’re too much and yet never enough.” —Kirkus Reviews
“An absolute masterpiece.” —Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X
“A story about heart and backbone, and one only Mahogany L. Browne could bring forth.” —Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down
“Interweave[s] poetry and prose… portraying with nuance a group of Brooklyn teens unpacking their traumas and finding their joy.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A beautiful love letter to Brooklyn, Black authors, and the beats that create the soundtrack of a young life evolving.” –Kirkus Reviews
“Browne’s bold imagining of robust support systems, reliable friendships, and assertive self-discovery offers a thoughtful roadmap for teens navigating tough times.” –The Bulletin
“An important asset for all school and library collections.” –SLJ
