Light and Air

Set in 1935 at the height of a tuberculosis epidemic, this historical novel follows ten-year-old Halle, who is sent along with her ailing mother to the J.N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital in rural New York after they both contract the disease. Separated from her distant, anxious father, Halle finds unexpected joy and comfort among the other patients on the children's ward, who become like sisters to her, while the story notes the sanatorium welcomed patients regardless of race or socioeconomic background. The book thoughtfully explores themes of isolation, quarantine, found family, grief, and the strain and healing of parent-child relationships, all set against a richly detailed Depression-era backdrop that resonates with modern pandemic experiences. It's a tender, hopeful coming-of-age story about resilience and compassion in the face of illness and fear.