BARELY FLOATING, by Lilliam Rivera, Kokila, Aug. 29, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)
A 12-year-old discovers friendship and emotional fulfillment through synchronized swimming in Barely Floating, by Lilliam Rivera.
Natalia De La Cruz Rivera y Santiago, also known as Nat, was swimming neighborhood kids out of their money at the local Inglewood pool when her life changed. The LA Mermaids performed, emerging out of the water with matching sequined swimsuits, and it was then that synchronized swimming stole her heart.
The problem? Her activist mom and professor dad think it’s a sport with too much emphasis on looks — on being thin and white. Nat grew up the youngest in a house full of boys, so she knows how to fight for what she wants, often using her anger to fuel her. People often underestimate her swimming skills when they see her stomach rolls, but she knows better than to worry about what people think. Still, she feels more like a submarine than a mermaid, but she wonders if she might be both. —Synopsis provided by Kokila
Barely Floating is more than just a swimming story. It’s the exploration of body image, community, family, building community and finding your voice.
At first glance, Nat has no problem using her voice. Having grown up in a family of activists, she’s keen to stand up against any perceived wrong. But when it comes to her parents, especially her mom, Nat doesn’t stand a chance. Her mom’s opinion is law, and that’s particularly hard when your mom hates anything to do with “beauty.”
Nat is a vibrant character who grabs your attention from the start. She’s not ashamed of her size, but struggles when other people make it important. She loves sequins and sparkles and beauty magazines, even though she’s not supposed to like them. Her bold personality resonates throughout the novel, daring you not to follow her journey.
There’s a lot going on in Barely Floating, but author Lilliam Rivera does a great job balancing everything. Nat’s moments in the pool are magical. And they feel more so when juxtaposed with her balancing everything else.
Barely Floating is one of those books that’s going to resonate with readers from all walks of life — swimmers or not.
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