Breathing Underwater
A Junior Library Guild Selection
“In Breathing Underwater, Sarah Allen has created characters so alive and compelling that readers will root for them every mile of this moving, heartfelt journey.” —Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
A sparkly, moving middle grade novel from Sarah Allen, and a big-hearted exploration of sisterhood, dreams, and what it means to be there for someone you love.
Olivia is on the road trip of her dreams, with her trusty camera and her big sister Ruth by her side. Three years ago, before their family moved from California to Tennessee, Olivia and Ruth buried a time capsule on their favorite beach. Now, they’re taking an RV back across the country to uncover the memories they left behind. But Ruth’s depression has been getting worse, so Olivia has created a plan to help her remember how life used to be: a makeshift scavenger hunt across the country, like pirates hunting for treasure, taking pictures and making memories along the way.
All she wants is to take the picture that makes her sister smile. But what if things can never go back to how they used to be? What if they never find the treasure they’re seeking? Through all the questions, loving her sister, not changing her, is all Olivia can do—and maybe it’s enough.
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Community Reviews
This.
This is why I read.
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I'm a little pissed at myself for not reviewing right away because I won't be able to properly put into words the impact this book has on me.
I first read this book in high school shortly after my parents divorce. I never forgot the topic it covered. Shortly after I read it, my dad read it, too. It must have been harder for him.
As an adult, this book was even better. It was a punch in the gut. It was hard to read about all this abuse and manipulation. I cried for the characters, I cried for the past, and I cried for my parents (and that familiar "too late 'a-ha!' moment).
What really struck me this time around was the down playing that was spot on. We read within a few pages about "a slap." We discover much more. But we only discover the truth as Nick discovers himself, as the denial melts away.
I was happy to read reviews that say that some high schools now have this as required reading. GOOD. IT SHOULD BE.
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