BREATHING UNDERWATER, by Abbey Lee Nash, Holiday House, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)
An epilepsy diagnosis puts an elite swimmer’s dreams at risk in Breathing Underwater, a new young adult novel by Abbey Nash.
Tess lives for swimming: the feel of the pool’s rough edge on her toes, the snap of cold water on her skin, and the push of her limbs ever forward. In the water, she’s truly alive.
Until tragedy strikes. And Tess is left navigating a summer of doctor visits, missed swim practices, a newly distant best friend, and a job stuck behind a counter—not sitting high in the lifeguard chair like every season before.
Instead, her spot goes to new guy Charlie. Although his messy hair and laid-back demeanor catch Tess’s attention, this isn’t really the time. She’s got to focus on getting back in the pool—and on getting back to herself. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House
The great thing about Breathing Underwater is that even if you’re not a swimmer, if you’ve been involved in any sort of extracurricular activity — sports, dance, debate, theater, etc. — then you can relate. The push to be your best, to go beyond your boundaries, to be there for your group or team, the pain of watching it all fall apart — those are universal themes.
That said, as a “swim mom” I can say that author Abbey Lee Nash really hits the nail on the head with swim culture, practice, etc.
At the heart of Breathing Underwater is Tess, a girl with a single-minded purpose — nationals and a securing a college scholarship. Tess is strong and determined and then suddenly, she’s lost. She doesn’t like her new “normal,” and doesn’t want to accept it.
Nash deftly explores the complexities of discovering you have an illness and learning to live with it. Tess is well realized, as are the members of her family. They all feel believable. And Tess’s growing relationship with Charlie feels natural.
At just over 200 pages, Breathing Underwater is a shorter YA that’s gently crafted with heart. It’s a strong story of self-acceptance.
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