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In his first YA novel, cultural journalist and writer Abdo Wazen writes about a blind teenager in Lebanon who finds strength and friendship among an unlikely group. Growing up in a small Lebanese village, Bassim's blindness limits his engagement with the materials taught in his schools. Despite the love and support of his family, his opportunities seem limited. So, at the age of thirteen, Bassim leaves his village to join the Institute for the Blind in the suburbs of Beirut. There he comes alive. He learns Braille and discovers talents he never knew he had. Bassim is empowered by his newfound ability to read and write. With his newfound confidence, Bassim decides to take a chance and submit a short story to a competition organised by the Ministry of Education. After winning the competition, he is hired at the Institute for the Blind. At the institute, Bassim, a Sunni Muslim, forms a strong friendship with George, a Christian. Cooperation and collective support are central to the success of every student at the Institute, a principle that transcends religious differences. In the book, the Institute symbolises the positive changes that tolerance can bring to a country and society as a whole.

«The Colour of Air» is also a book about Lebanon and its attitude towards people with disabilities. It offers insight into the vital role of strong family support in individual success, the internal functioning of institutions such as the Institute, and the unique religious and cultural environment of Beirut.

Wazen's lucid language and linear structure result in a coherent and easy-to-read narrative. The Colour of Air is an important contribution to a literature in which people with disabilities are underrepresented. In addition to telling a story of empowerment and friendship, the book also aims to educate readers about people with disabilities and shed light on the important roles played by institutions such as the Institute.