About This Book
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.
