Swim Team

Swim Team
Johnnie Christmas
HarperCollins, 2022
247 pages
Grades 3-7
Graphic Novel

Bree moves from Brooklyn to Florida in order for her single Dad to attend school and start a new job. Florida is a bit of a culture shock. The good news is: while moving in her new digs, Bree meets Miss Etta, a kind elderly neighbor, and Clara, a friendly girl who also attends her new school. Being the new kid is not easy and, to make matters worse, Bree cannot take the electives she wants. Instead, the only opening is for Swimming, an activity that she fears. Bree masterly comes up with excuses to skip class in order to not have to get in that pool, but unfortunately the missed classes are affecting her grade. After almost drowning in the apartment complex pool, Miss Etta comes to her aid. Miss Etta was on the swim team at Bree's school many years ago and was a campion. Now the older lady coaches Bree and gets her not only through the swim class, but on the swim team. The coach recognizes Miss Etta from the past and recruits her to help coach the team. The girls on the team become tight and Bree has a group of friends as close as sisters---almost. There seems to be a missing piece to the puzzle that will solidify the team, help Miss Etta find healing and lead the team to victory at the state championship.

Adult graphic novelist, Christmas, turns his attention to middle grade in this new, not quite autobiographical memoir, but realist friendship tale, sure to please the Telgemeier crew. Many readers will relate to Bree's struggles with moving, starting a new school, trying to make friends, a busy and distracted parent, and having to face a new scary activity. I love that Bree conquers her fear and by doing so discovers a new passion that she excels at. Themes include loyalty, compromise, perseverance, trying new things, and forgiveness. There are intergenerational relationships and the power of community is demonstrated. Christmas also weaves into the tale civil rights history within the framework of pool use in the south and how that affected black athletes. We see privilege still having advantages, though through teamwork and chutzpah, the good guys win out. I appreciate that this is truly a friendship tale and does not get into romance and crushes, making it easy to recommend to younger kids who are looking for these stories. The full color illustrations are artfully done and help to convey the tale. Readers will root for Bree and her friends, all while learning about past injustices and current struggles. Sure to be a hit in both school and public library settings.