This is my last blog post for the month and yes, it’s another middle grade. I’m finding reading middle grade really good for reading slumps. They’re easy to pick up, quick to read and there’s so much to choose from.
Today I’m reviewing Boy Underwater by Adam Baron.
Blurb
Boy Underwater is a heartbreaking story about family, friends and secrets. And it’s very, very funny.
Cymbeline (yes, really!) has never been swimming – not ever, not once – so he’s a bit nervous at the prospect of his first school swimming lesson ever. But how hard could it be? He’s Googled front crawl and he’s found his dad’s old pair of trunks. He’s totally ready for this.
But he’s not ready for an accident at the pool to reveal a family mystery that turns his life completely upside down. Only Cym and his friends can solve it because, as usual, the grown-ups aren’t telling them anything.
For the answers you really need, sometimes you have to go deep…
Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
I really feel for this kid. First off, he’s got one hell of a name, don’t ya think? And then he just HAS to do that super embarrassing thing at the swimming pool, all whilst pretending to his friends and classmates that he can, in fact, swim.
When he can’t.
His mum refuses to go the the pool ever since his dad passed away and now, Cym is determined to find out what happened, and why grown-ups keep secrets.
This book was such a fabulous read. It covers themes like mental health, loss and bereavement for younger reads.
As always, let me know in the comments below if you’ve read the book and what you thought of it. And if you haven’t, will you be adding it to your TBR pile?
Our First Year Here 