Johnnie Christmas

Swim Team

Bree has to move from Brooklyn to Florida with her father, who has two new jobs there.  When she arrives she must start in a new school and find new friends.  Unable to get into the math club, Bree ends up in Swimming 101, which is a problem since she doesn't know how to swim.  Skipping class and pretending to be sick doesn't work, so with the help of some new friends, Bree decides to try a different strategy.

Swim Team not only tells the story of Bree and her friends, it also develops themes of facing fears and trying new things.  In addition, the graphic novel outlines the history of swimming in urban settings coupled with groundbreaking African Americans in swimming.  There are a couple of subplots involving the relationship between Bree and her father as well as Bree's neighbor, Etta.  While some of the swimming aspects are unrealistic, overall, Swim Team is an entertaining graphic novel with real history woven into the story.  

Lynn Braden

Bree has to move from Brooklyn to Florida with her father, who has two new jobs there.  When she arrives she must start in a new school and find new friends.  Unable to get into the math club, Bree ends up in Swimming 101, which is a problem since she doesn't know how to swim.  Skipping class and pretending to be sick doesn't work, so with the help of some new friends, Bree decides to try a different strategy.

Swim Team not only tells the story of Bree and her friends, it also develops themes of facing fears and trying new things.  In addition, the graphic novel outlines the history of swimming in urban settings coupled with groundbreaking African Americans in swimming.  There are a couple of subplots involving the relationship between Bree and her father as well as Bree's neighbor, Etta.  While some of the swimming aspects are unrealistic, overall, Swim Team is an entertaining graphic novel with real history woven into the story.  

Swim Team

Reviews