Reviews

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

le_lobey's review

informative fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Read this for the One Book One School program at work. It was pretty good! Polished it off on the train to church. I Didn't know the particular history of segregated pools and beaches that stymied the transfer of swimming skills to black children in mid-century America. Positive messaging about perseverance and teamwork, repairing broken friendships.

mjlb's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

gvanos24's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sablondell's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

jupiters_alien's review

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

mama_jo's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

ericaohnoreads13's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

distracteddreareads's review

Great graphic read. Following a swim team with such deep and powerful history and much historical detail to the story. Bringing in segregation of blacks and whites, putting it out front about why black persons today struggle with swimming due to the segregation and lack of resourceful swimming pools and communities. This novel shown light on protestors against segregation and segregated pools. I learned so much from this novel, and got so wrapped into the story of Bree and her dad as they moved to a new state. Recommend a great, entertaining and informative quick read.

emyjo's review

hopeful inspiring fast-paced

3.75

geekwayne's review

5.0

'Swim Team' with story and art by Johnnie Christmas is a graphic novel about a young girl overcoming one of her greatest fears.

When Bree and her father move to Florida, it means a new school and new people to meet. Bree can't swim, but when she has to sign up for swimming as the only elective available, it opens a new world to her including a chance to learn about the history of swimming and segregation.

This was a wonderful story on so many levels. Bree overcoming her inner voices, the Swim sisters (old and young), and the thrill of competing all combine to make a heartwarming story with great art.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.