
Reach for this book when your child is facing a life-changing medical diagnosis or struggling to reconcile their personal passions with family expectations. It is a deeply moving novel in verse about twelve-year-old Aniana, a talented Dominican American swimmer who must navigate the onset of Juvenile Arthritis. The story explores the physical pain of chronic illness alongside the emotional weight of a mother's protective, yet stifling, grief over a past family tragedy in the water. It is a masterclass in resilience and bodily agency for middle-grade readers. Parents will appreciate how the book validates a child's right to participate in their own medical journey while offering a realistic look at family conflict and healing. It is particularly powerful for families looking to discuss how to move forward when life looks different than originally planned.
Depicts the grief of losing physical abilities and a past family death by drowning.
The book touches on the death of a family member by drowning. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on medical management and emotional processing. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality that chronic illness is a lifelong management process.
A 10 to 12-year-old athlete who is dealing with an injury or illness that threatens their sense of self, or any child navigating a complicated relationship with a protective parent.
Parents should be prepared for intense scenes of medical procedures and descriptions of physical pain. The book can be read cold, but it may prompt questions about hereditary conditions and family history. A parent might see their child struggling with joint pain, refusing to admit they are hurt, or pushing back against safety rules that feel like cages.
Younger readers (age 8-9) will focus on the physical challenge of the illness and the 'secret' of the swimming. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the nuance of the mother's trauma and the complexities of bodily autonomy.
Written in verse with diverse poetic forms, including concrete poetry that mimics the movement of water, this book stands out for its integration of Dominican American cultural elements and the specific experience of navigating the healthcare system as a minor. """
Aniana del Mar is a gifted swimmer who keeps her competitive life secret from her mother, who fears the water after a family drowning years ago. When Ani is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis, her secret is revealed, and her mobility is severely limited. The story follows her medical journey, her conflict with her mother's restrictive fears, and her determination to return to the pool.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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