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Breathing Under Water

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( 1,443 ratings, 197 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
Breathing Under Water follows twins Ben and Grace Walker, growing up in a tranquil coastal town where surfing is their shared passion. Ben, the charismatic rising surf star, basks in the spotlight, while Grace grapples with feeling overshadowed by her brother's radiant presence. As they approach the end of their final school year, with hopes and dreams on the horizon, an unforeseen tragedy shatters their world, challenging them to navigate grief, identity, and resilience. This lyrical and emotionally charged novel explores themes of life, loss, and the strength found in learning to breathe amidst turmoil.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

This poignant young adult novel will resonate with fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell, and Melina Marchetta, especially readers craving emotionally immersive stories about family, identity, and personal growth.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

An evocative and emotionally powerful debut novel of life, death and learning to breathe in between.
Sophie is an emerging Australian writer who is already receiving critical acclaim.

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

If you love stories by John Green, Rainbow Rowell, or Melina Marchetta, you will love this story.

Nineteen minutes and eleven seconds separated us at birth. On the official documentation, he is older . . . Although it really has nothing to do with age. What it really means is that I am, and have always been, second.

Ben and Grace Walker are twins. Growing up in a sleepy coastal town, it was inevitable they'd surf. Always close, they hung out more than most brothers and sisters, surfing together for hours as the sun melted into the sea. At seventeen, Ben is a rising surf star, the golden son, and the boy all the girls fall in love with. Beside him, Grace feels like she is a mere reflection of his light. In their last year of school, the world beckons, full of possibility. For Grace, finishing exams and kissing Harley Matthews is just the beginning.

Then, one day, the unthinkable. The sun sets at noon, and suddenly everything that was safe and predictable is lost. And everything unravels.

Breathing Under Water is a lyrical and emotionally powerful novel about life, death, and learning to breathe in between.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780733634857

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 July 2016

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hachette Australia

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 211.0mm

Height: 137.0mm

Weight: 312g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Sophie Hardcastle is an author and artist currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Sydney College of the Arts, majoring in painting. Sophie's memoir, Running like China, is published by Hachette and was released in September 2015. Her debut novel, Breathing Under Water, was published by Hachette in July 2016.

In addition to her books, Sophie has written for various magazines, including ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Surfing World, and has also written for theatre. Sophie is now a mental health spokesperson for Batyr. She shares her experiences with bipolar 1 disorder by speaking in schools around the country. Sophie was recently named as one of Triple j's '25 Under 25 who are nailing it!'.

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