Light and Air
Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell, published by Holiday House on January 2, 2024, is a 208-page work of juvenile fiction that explores the impact of tuberculosis during the 1930s in the United States. The story follows Halle and her mother as they confront the realities of this deadly respiratory illness, facing societal shunning and eventual admission to the J.N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital. Set against the backdrop of a historical epidemic, the narrative delves into themes of isolation and the search for connection amidst adversity.
Readers will find a poignant portrayal of life in a tuberculosis hospital, where Halle discovers a sense of belonging and the healing power of friendship among the other girls. The book addresses significant topics such as health, illness, and the dynamics of found family, offering insights into the emotional landscape of those affected by disease. As Halle navigates her relationship with her mother and the challenges posed by her father’s coldness, the story unfolds with a message of resilience and hope, making it a relevant exploration of both historical and contemporary issues.
Official synopsis Publisher
It’s 1935, and tuberculosis is ravaging the nation. Everyone is afraid of this deadly respiratory illness. But what happens when you actually have it?
When Halle and her mother both come down with TB, they are shunned—and then they are sent to the J.N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital: far from home, far from family, far from the world.
Tucked away in the woods of upstate New York, the hospital is a closed and quiet place. But it is not, Halle learns, a prison. Free of her worried and difficult father for the first time in her life, she slowly discovers joy, family, and the healing power of honey on the children’s ward, where the girls on the floor become her confidantes and sisters. But when Mama suffers a lung hemorrhage, their entire future—and recovery—is thrown into question….
Light and Air deals tenderly and insightfully with isolation, quarantine, found family, and illness. Set in the fully realized world of a 1930s hospital, it offers a tender glimpse into a historical epidemic that has become more relatable than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Halle tries to warm her father’s coldness and learns to trust the girls and women of the hospital, and as she and her mother battle a disease that once paralyzed the country, a profound message of strength, hope, and healing emerges.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
“Richly detailed… Timeless.”—Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Emotionally honest… Satisfying.”—Publishers Weekly
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