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    FantasyFictionLiterary FictionYoung Adult

    If These Wings Could Fly

    by McCauley, Kyrie

    Set in small-town Pennsylvania, If These Wings Could Fly is a powerful debut YA novel by Kyrie McCauley that blends realism with magical elements. The story follows Leighton Barnes, a high school senior living in a house haunted not by ghosts, but by the ongoing threat of her father’s domestic violence. Despite the trauma, their home mysteriously repairs itself after each of his violent outbursts—a subtle touch of magical realism symbolizing the repeated cycle of abuse and survival.

    Meanwhile, thousands of crows have inexplicably descended on the town, a surreal presence that mirrors the chaos in Leighton’s life. As she prepares to graduate and considers leaving for college, she grapples with guilt over possibly abandoning her younger sisters. And just as Leighton begins to find solace in a budding romance with Liam, the violence at home intensifies—forcing her to make impossible choices between freedom and protection.

    Author

    • McCauley, Kyrie

    Author Introduction

    • Kyrie McCauley, acclaimed author and expert, delivers profound insights in “If These Wings Could Fly,” advancing contemporary literature.

    Description

    • If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley is a lyrical young adult novel that explores the complexities of family violence through the story of seventeen-year-old Leighton. As she starts her senior year, Leighton struggles to protect her two younger sisters while coping with her father’s ongoing abusive behavior. The narrative incorporates elements of magical realism, using the presence of thousands of crows to underscore themes of trauma, resilience, and hope.

    FAQs

    • What is the central theme of “If These Wings Could Fly”?
    • • The book explores the haunting specter of domestic violence, focusing on the quiet strength of those experiencing abuse. It also highlights themes of sisterhood and first love, providing an atmospheric and ultimately hopeful narrative.
    • Who is the protagonist of the story and what challenges does she face?
    • • The protagonist is seventeen-year-old Leighton Barnes, who navigates the complexities of her increasingly violent and abusive father while balancing her senior year of high school and the social dynamics in her town, Auburn, Pennsylvania.
    • What genre does this book belong to, and who is the target audience?
    • • “If These Wings Could Fly” is a young adult (YA) fiction novel. It is ideal for readers interested in powerful, socially conscious stories that deal with real-life issues such as domestic violence, family dynamics, and personal resilience.
    • What kind of critical reception has the book received?
    • • The book has been praised for its intense and atmospheric storytelling. Award-winning authors like Tiffany D. Jackson and Mindy McGinnis have lauded it as a powerful debut that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. It also won the 2021 William C. Morris Award, recognizing outstanding debut YA authors.
    • How does the book incorporate symbolism or metaphor?
    • • The story uses the metaphor of tens of thousands of crows invading the town as a symbolic backdrop, adding layers of meaning to the narrative and reflecting the protagonist’s internal and external struggles.
    • Is “If These Wings Could Fly” suitable for classroom or discussion groups?
    • • Yes, given its sensitive and important themes, the book is often recommended for discussion in educational settings to shed light on domestic violence and encourage conversations about resilience and support systems.
    • What formats is the book available in?
    • • The novel is available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and digital audiobook formats, making it accessible in multiple reading preferences.
    • Who is Kyrie McCauley, the author?
    • • Kyrie McCauley is an author with a background in social policy and advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania and has worked with non-profit organizations. “If These Wings Could Fly” is her debut novel.
    • How does the book portray the theme of hope amidst darkness?
    • • Though the novel delves into dark and difficult topics, it is ultimately a story of hope, emphasizing the strength found in sisterhood, first love, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

    Quotes

    • “This is what I know of pride. I know that it keeps the secrets of cruel men. I know that it holds us in the shadows, because we are too proud to admit we need help.” — Kyrie McCauley
    • “When the legacy is anger, the inheritance is fear.” — Kyrie McCauley
    • “Pride values a man’s reputation over a woman’s life. It calls her selfish for speaking up, even when she speaks the truth. Especially then.” — Kyrie McCauley
    • “If These Wings Could Fly is a deep dive to illustrate the quiet strength of those in the darkest situations, atmospheric, brilliantly drawn, and ultimately hopeful.” — Mindy McGinnis, on Kyrie McCauley’s novel
    • “Heartbreaking, important, and layered with so much hope, this book breathes magic into every chapter.” — Praise reflecting the novel’s blend of realism and metaphor
    • “Leighton’s story reveals the sociological roots of violence while exploring the power of metaphor through the haunting presence of thousands of crows.” — Summary insight on thematic depth from reviews
    • “A powerful book that sheds light on an often-stigmatized subject with sensitivity and hope.” — Critical appraisal highlighting the novel’s impact and message
    1. Chapter One
      2,334 Words
    2. Chapter Two
      1,923 Words
    3. Chapter Three
      2,109 Words
    4. Chapter Four
      2,358 Words
    5. Chapter Five
      2,034 Words
    7. Chapter Six
      1,920 Words
    8. Chapter Seven
      2,567 Words
    9. Chapter Eight
      2,165 Words
    10. Chapter Nine
      2,218 Words
    11. Chapter Ten
      2,277 Words
    12. Chapter Eleven
      2,323 Words
    13. Chapter Twelve
      2,167 Words
    14. Chapter Thirteen
      2,066 Words
    15. Chapter Fourteen
      2,204 Words
    16. Chapter Fifteen
      2,097 Words
    17. Chapter Sixteen
      2,087 Words
    18. Chapter Seventeen
      2,112 Words
    19. Chapter Eighteen
      2,033 Words
    20. Chapter Nineteen
      2,063 Words
    21. Chapter Twenty
      2,131 Words
    22. Chapter Twenty-One
      1,960 Words
    23. Chapter Twenty-Two
      2,452 Words
    24. Chapter Twenty-Three
      2,294 Words
    25. Chapter Twenty-Four
      2,467 Words
    26. Chapter Twenty-Five
      2,094 Words
    27. Chapter Twenty-Six
      2,262 Words
    28. Chapter Twenty-Seven
      1,947 Words
    29. Chapter Twenty-Eight
      2,293 Words
    30. Chapter Twenty-Nine
      2,201 Words
    31. Chapter Thirty
      2,214 Words
    32. Chapter Thirty-One
      1,838 Words
    33. Chapter Thirty-Two
      2,379 Words
    34. Chapter Thirty-Three
      2,076 Words
    35. Chapter Thirty-Four
      2,255 Words
    36. Chapter Thirty-Five
      2,351 Words
    37. Chapter Thirty-Six
      2,083 Words
    38. Chapter Thirty-Seven
      2,065 Words
    39. Chapter Thirty-Eight
      2,180 Words
    40. Chapter Thirty-Nine
      2,445 Words
    41. Chapter Forty
      2,086 Words
    42. Chapter Forty-One
      1,943 Words
    43. Chapter Forty-Two
      2,149 Words
    44. Chapter Forty-Three
      2,383 Words
    45. Chapter Forty-Four
      2,146 Words
    46. Chapter Forty-Five
      2,083 Words
    47. Chapter Forty-Six
      2,216 Words
    48. Chapter Forty-Seven
      2,310 Words
    49. Chapter Forty-Eight
      1,962 Words
    50. Chapter Forty-Nine
      2,260 Words
    51. Chapter Fifty
      2,268 Words
    52. Chapter Fifty-One
      2,328 Words
    53. Chapter Fifty-Two
      2,246 Words
    54. Chapter Fifty-Three
      2,289 Words
    55. Chapter Fifty-Four
      2,287 Words
    56. Chapter Fifty-Five
      2,290 Words
    57. Chapter Fifty-Six
      1,905 Words
    58. Chapter Fifty-Seven
      2,207 Words
    59. Chapter Fifty-Eight
      2,364 Words
    60. Chapter Fifty-Nine
      2,260 Words
    61. Chapter Sixty
      2,062 Words
    62. Chapter Sixty-One
      2,268 Words
    63. Chapter Sixty-Two
      2,231 Words
    64. Chapter Sixty-Three
      2,150 Words
    65. Chapter Sixty-Four
      2,111 Words
    66. Chapter Sixty-Five
      2,186 Words
    67. Chapter Sixty-Six
      2,200 Words
    68. Chapter Sixty-Seven
      1,809 Words
    69. Chapter Sixty-Eight
      2,046 Words
    70. Chapter Sixty-Nine
      2,305 Words
    71. Chapter Seventy
      2,379 Words
    72. Chapter Seventy-One
      2,087 Words
    73. Chapter Seventy-Two
      2,277 Words
    74. Chapter Seventy-Three
      2,340 Words
    75. Chapter Seventy-Four
      1,651 Words
    76. Chapter Seventy-Five
      2,138 Words
    77. Chapter Seventy-Six
      1,916 Words
    78. Chapter Seventy-Seven
      1,853 Words
    Ongoing April 22, 2025Apr 22, '25 168.0 K Everyone

    Quotes

    “This is what I know of pride. I know that it keeps the secrets of cruel men. I know that it holds us in the shadows, because we are too proud to admit we need help.”

    — Kyrie McCauley

    “When the legacy is anger, the inheritance is fear.”

    — Kyrie McCauley

    “Pride values a man’s reputation over a woman’s life. It calls her selfish for speaking up, even when she speaks the truth. Especially then.”

    — Kyrie McCauley

    “If These Wings Could Fly is a deep dive to illustrate the quiet strength of those in the darkest situations, atmospheric, brilliantly drawn, and ultimately hopeful.”

    — Mindy McGinnis, on Kyrie McCauley’s novel

    “Heartbreaking, important, and layered with so much hope, this book breathes magic into every chapter.”

    — Praise reflecting the novel’s blend of realism and metaphor

    “Leighton’s story reveals the sociological roots of violence while exploring the power of metaphor through the haunting presence of thousands of crows.”

    — Summary insight on thematic depth from reviews

    “A powerful book that sheds light on an often-stigmatized subject with sensitivity and hope.”

    — Critical appraisal highlighting the novel’s impact and message

    FAQs

    What is the central theme of “If These Wings Could Fly”?

    • The book explores the haunting specter of domestic violence, focusing on the quiet strength of those experiencing abuse. It also highlights themes of sisterhood and first love, providing an atmospheric and ultimately hopeful narrative.

    Who is the protagonist of the story and what challenges does she face?

    • The protagonist is seventeen-year-old Leighton Barnes, who navigates the complexities of her increasingly violent and abusive father while balancing her senior year of high school and the social dynamics in her town, Auburn, Pennsylvania.

    What genre does this book belong to, and who is the target audience?

    • “If These Wings Could Fly” is a young adult (YA) fiction novel. It is ideal for readers interested in powerful, socially conscious stories that deal with real-life issues such as domestic violence, family dynamics, and personal resilience.

    What kind of critical reception has the book received?

    • The book has been praised for its intense and atmospheric storytelling. Award-winning authors like Tiffany D. Jackson and Mindy McGinnis have lauded it as a powerful debut that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. It also won the 2021 William C. Morris Award, recognizing outstanding debut YA authors.

    How does the book incorporate symbolism or metaphor?

    • The story uses the metaphor of tens of thousands of crows invading the town as a symbolic backdrop, adding layers of meaning to the narrative and reflecting the protagonist’s internal and external struggles.

    Is “If These Wings Could Fly” suitable for classroom or discussion groups?

    • Yes, given its sensitive and important themes, the book is often recommended for discussion in educational settings to shed light on domestic violence and encourage conversations about resilience and support systems.

    What formats is the book available in?

    • The novel is available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and digital audiobook formats, making it accessible in multiple reading preferences.

    Who is Kyrie McCauley, the author?

    • Kyrie McCauley is an author with a background in social policy and advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania and has worked with non-profit organizations. “If These Wings Could Fly” is her debut novel.

    How does the book portray the theme of hope amidst darkness?

    • Though the novel delves into dark and difficult topics, it is ultimately a story of hope, emphasizing the strength found in sisterhood, first love, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

    Note