Almost Flying

CHAPTER ONE

My heart starts thumping before the video even loads. And then it pounds even harder as Mega Drop Unhinged ( If You Don t Puke, We re Not Doing Our Job! ) comes into view. I can t believe I haven t watched a POV video for this roller coaster before.

The opening shot is a sweeping look at the whole ride. It s taller than every other coaster in the park by a mile, its steel track stretching up into the sky. Human beings shouldn t be able to hurtle through its giant loops and twists and (mega) drops and come out unharmed.

But somehow, we can. And somehow, it s the most amazing thing in the world.

Well, okay, fine. I don t actually know how amazing it is in real life. The truth is, I ve never been on a roller coaster. But I ve watched pretty much every roller coaster point of view video in existence, and that has to count for something.

So, there s that opening shot of the ride, and then the perspective switches so that it s like I m sitting in the front row of the roller coaster. That s what the camera position s like in all POV videos. There s excited chatter behind me, which dies down as a voice crackles over the loudspeaker. Keep your arms and legs inside the coaster at all times. The ride groans, releasing a burst of air. Now, sit back, relax, and try not to think about that Mega Drop!

The roller coaster rumbles and creaks, and we start climbing. I keep my head as close to the screen as possible, so it s almost like I m actually on the ride. In the video, it s a cloudless day and the way we re tilted back makes it feel like we re just going to keep riding up into the sky forever.

But then we get to the top. There are a few seconds where I can t see the track in front of me and I can t see anything below me and it s just blue going on and on and on and there s no horizon and maybe no one else in the whole universe.

Jake Maia Arlow is a podcast producer, writer, and bagel connoisseur. They studied evolutionary biology and creative writing (not as different as you might think) at Barnard College. They live with their girlfriend and their loud cat in the Pacific Northwest.

A 2022 Stonewall Honor Book

Almost Flying  is a thrilling celebration of all the twists and turns, breathtaking jumps and heart-pounding falls of a first crush. Dalia s journey to self-discovery is refreshingly honest, and this entire cast of characters will steal your heart. Every middle schooler will want to take this ride.   Maulik Pancholy, actor and Stonewall Honor-winning author of The Best At It

Fierce and tender all at once, Almost Flying is a soaring roller coaster ride of a book that stole my breath with every heartwarming twist and each empowering turn.   Ashley Herring Blake, Stonewall Honor-winning author of Ivy Aberdeen s Letter to the World

A story about the messiness of family, the confusion and awkwardness of a first crush, and the bonds that can only exist between older and younger queer teens. This charming debut had my heart soaring.   Nicole Melleby, author of Hurricane Season and In the Role of Brie Hutchens

A delightfully queer-positive and engrossing road trip story. Booklist

While this book contains many elements that are widely relatable, the storyline around exploring sexuality is especially resonant A heartwarming, queer-affirming story. Kirkus