Book Review: Swim Team

Book Review: Swim Team

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Christmas, J. (2022). Swim team: A Graphic Novel. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0063056763

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Bree is an adolescent girl who is forced to move during a very transformative time in her life. She is moving from Brooklyn to Florida, two totally different places and experiences. You follow the main character as she navigates the changes of moving to a new place during middle school. This book tackles aspects of change, bravery, trying new things and conquering fears. This triumphant graphic novel follows Bree as she learns to swim and ultimately becomes a successful swimmer making her the darling of the swim team. The relationships Bree forms are so important to her success.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is very relatable to the reader. It highlights several scary situations that kids could be put in: being forced to do something you don’t want to do and accepting change. Anxiety is an experience that many young people suffer from and in this book, you learn how the character faces anxiety but also works through it. The illustrations in this graphic novel convey so much detail and even emotion from the character.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Problem solving through perseverance and friendship is the real win in this deeply smart and inspiring story.” – Kirkus Reviews

National Book Award Longlist

Coretta Scott King Honor Book

5. CONNECTIONS

Bree’s neighbor explains to her why it is that some black children do not know how to swim and will not learn how to swim. You could research this with your class asking: How has racism of the past contributed to anxiety around swimming in the black community? What other spaces have black people been potentially shut out of?

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson