Before Takeoff

Adi Alsaid

Before Takeoff
Adi Alsaid

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Whatever the worst delay you’ve ever had was, this one is worse. Two teens find their layover meet-cute interrupted by some inexplicable, paranormal events in the Atlanta airport. As chaos unfolds around them, James and Michelle find themselves drawn to each other’s charmingly opposing personalities as they try and find out what is causing these surreal occurrences.

Described as Jumanji meets The Sun Is Also a Star, this sweet but thrilling novel combines chilling magical realism with love and an examination of human nature.

Content Warning: Racism

Discussion Questions

It is easy to dismiss this novel because it is so absurd. But, Alsaid is trying to tell us something about human nature by creating this microcosm of the world today in the airport. What is he trying to tell his reader?

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Classroom Connections

This novel could be used in high school classrooms or small book groups to discuss social constructs. Alsaid uses the airport as a microcosm of the world and considers how people behave.

Adi Alsaid

Author
https://www.adialsaid.com/

Born and raised in Mexico City, Adi Alsaid is the author of several young adult novels including Let's Get Lost, We Didn't Ask For This, and North of Happy, a Kirkus Best Book nominee. He's also the editor of Come On In: 15 stories of immigration and finding home. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and two cats, where he occasionally spills hot sauce on things (and cats).

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