Goldfish

April 11, 2016
Filled with slapstick antics, this lighthearted story of 15-year-old Louise Brown, a down-on-her-luck swimmer, deserves to make a splash with readers. Gangly and unpopular, Louise lives in Essex, England, with her divorced parents and older sister. After she loses her chance at Olympic stardom, she has to start a new school year without her best friend Hannah (who did qualify for Olympic training) and deal with her former coach, who treats her like a pariah. When three A-list guys from school recruit Louise to coach them in synchronized swimming in an attempt to get on Britain’s Hidden Talent, things go laughably wrong. Louise’s snarky sense of humor makes for highly entertaining reading (“I don’t know what they’re trying to do, I don’t know if it’s even got a name or if it’s just Drowning to Music”). Though the plot is straightforward, Luurtsema, in her first book for teens, provides plenty of humiliating moments and awkward gaffes to keep readers laughing. A touch of romance and a tested friendship round out a broadly enjoyable read. Ages 12–up. Agent: Hellie Ogden, Janklow & Nesbit.

April 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Fifteen-year-old Louise has been a competitive swimmer for most of her life, and she's good at it-so good that she is up for a spot in a high-performance training camp that may just pave her way to the Olympics. Imagine Lou's mortification when not only does she come in dead last at the tryouts but the spot goes to her best friend, Hannah. Lou heads back to school after the summer break, shunned by her ex-teammates, sans friends, and without the focus that swimming gave her. When she is approached by three guys from her school who want her to choreograph and coach an underwater dance routine for their Britain's Hidden Talent audition, Lou doesn't know if she should accept or run away screaming. Accepting the offer turns out to be just the beginning of a new adventure and perhaps a different kind of fame. Luurtsema excels at creating multidimensional characters whom readers will care about. Lou is a swimmer first and foremost, but readers get to know her as a sister, friend, daughter, and student. Lou's sister, her dad, and the swim boys are equally developed, giving this story a true-to-life feel. Only the mean girl, Cammie, and Lou's mom are not as fleshed out. VERDICT A fun story with well-rounded characters whom readers will root for; purchase where YA sports fiction is needed.-Heather Webb, Worthington Libraries, OH

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