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Breathing Underwater

By Sarah Allen
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3.9 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 675 ratings, 176 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Olivia embarks on a dream cross-country road trip with her aunt, uncle, and sister Ruth, aiming to uncover a time capsule they buried years ago in San Diego. As she captures the journey through photographs, Olivia faces a deeper challenge: her sister Ruth's worsening depression. Through the ups and downs of the trip, Olivia learns that love and presence, rather than fixing, are the true gifts she can offer. Breathing Underwater is a heartfelt tale exploring sisterhood, dreams, and emotional resilience.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2299

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for middle-grade readers, especially tweens who appreciate stories about family relationships and emotional challenges. Suitable for young readers interested in thoughtful explorations of mental health, sibling love, and adventure.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A heartwarming, relevant middle grade novel about a twelve-year-old girl who wants to be a photographer going on a road trip with her older sister recovering from depression, and learning that loving someone doesn't come with its own map.

A sparkly, moving middle grade novel from Sarah Allen, and a big-hearted exploration of sisterhood, dreams, and what it means to be there for someone you love.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Olivia is on the cross-country road trip of her dreams, complete with her favourite aunt and uncle, National Geographic magazines, and her big sister, Ruth. Once they reach San Diego, they have a plan to uncover a time capsule they buried when they moved away three years ago. Olivia can't wait to take pictures of the sights, adventures, and memories—but what she wants most is to make her sister happy again.

Ruth has depression, and it seems to Olivia, who knows Ruth's signs, that things are getting worse. But as the road winds on and they get closer to their old home, she'll realise that love, not fixing, is all she can give.

Breathing Underwater is the second novel from Sarah Allen, a big-hearted exploration of sisterhood, dreams, and what it means to be there for someone you love.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Dan Gemeinhart praises the vivid, compelling characters that make readers root for them throughout this moving journey. Gary Schmidt describes the book as a multifaceted love story that transforms from a road trip and treasure hunt into a touching exploration of depression and sisterly bonds. Kirkus Reviews highlights Olivia's earnest narration and the honest portrayal of a child understanding her sister's fragile state, recommending it especially for tween readers with older sisters.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781250821034

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 March 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: St Martin's Press

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 133.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 178g

Pages: 224

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Sarah Allen Young Adult

About the Author

Sarah Allen is the author of What Stars are Made Of. She has been published in the Evansville Review, Allegory, and on WritersDigest.com. She has an MFA from Brigham Young University and lives in Seattle. Find her at sarahallenbooks.com.

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