Swimming into Trouble

Coach Marissa is preparing the Vipers swim team for Personal Best Day (PBD) to see which of the team members can swim in the next swim meet. Julia is the youngest member of the team at nine, but she is obsessed with swimming and improving her time. When she has trouble with an ear infection, she is unable to swim for 10 days which means she will miss the PBD timing. With the help of people at the Mountainview Community Centre, including her parents who operate a sushi restaurant at the centre, the kind librarian who helps with research on Julia’s issue, the art teacher who invites her to a class and even Olivia, her swimming rival, Julia is able to solve her problem and not miss swimming. Julia learns patience and results can be good even if they are not wanted or expected.

Swimming into Trouble’s being told in third person allows readers to see what is happening with Julia’s actions to reduce the 10 days she cannot swim. Her logic is believable as she tries to find a way to stop the water from going into her ear. The research is evident as the community centre is used for a variety of activities and also for the operation of a sushi restaurant. Julia brings a humour and intelligence to her questions as she encourages others to think about how they would feel if they had to give up what they love, like coffee, tofu or Korean television programs. She is sometimes surprised by the responses. Readers will not be deterred by the 18 lengthy chapters because the dialogue and plot are quick moving and very suitable for the intended audience. Kim’s black and white drawings added interest and clarity with the details bringing the story alive for readers.

I enjoyed the themes in Swimming into Trouble. How to deal with adversity is a big part of the story, and humour, relatable characters, great dialogue and a passion for something that is loved are included. Swimming into Trouble would be a good choice to read aloud in a classroom and would lead to great discussions.