{"product_id":"swim-team-a-graphic-novel-isbn-9780063056770","title":"Swim Team: A Graphic Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!” JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal–winning New Kid\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees—until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCan Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap—for good?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cu\u003ePraise for SWIM TEAM:\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoretta Scott King Illustrator Honor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNational Book Award Longlist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirkus \u003c\/em\u003eBest Book of the Year\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvey Award Best Children’s or Young Adult Book Nominee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChildren's Book Council's Summer 2025 Showcase: An Ocean of Stories Pick\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cstrong\u003eA revelation\u003c\/strong\u003e! You’ll root for \u003cem\u003eSwim Team\u003c\/em\u003e—the water is just right.” —JOHN JENNINGS, \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling and Eisner Award–winning creator\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eSwim Team\u003c\/em\u003e is \u003cstrong\u003ea beautiful story\u003c\/strong\u003e about trying new things. Johnnie Christmas is a fantastic storyteller and artist.” —KAZU KIBUISHI, author of Amulet\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Full of charm, heart, and pulse-pounding races. \u003cstrong\u003eA winner\u003c\/strong\u003e!” —GENE LUEN YANG, author of \u003cem\u003eAmerican Born Chinese\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eDragon Hoops\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\"Full of charm, heart, and pulse-pounding races. A winner!\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJerry Craft, author of the Newbery Award–winning New Kid\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"A revelation! You’ll root for \u003cem\u003eSwim Team\u003c\/em\u003e—the water is just right.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJohn Jennings, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award–winning creator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis energetic, heartfelt graphic novel captures the joys and challenges of a sport that should be—but hasn’t always been—freely enjoyed by everyone. - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBook Page\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"This enjoyable graphic novel deals with familiar and middle-grade-appropriate themes of friendship, perseverance, and overcoming fears. The accessible illustrations add to the humorous (and sometimes serious) moments within the text.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Swim Team \u003c\/em\u003eis a beautiful story about trying new things. Johnnie Christmas is a fantastic storyteller and artist.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKazu Kibuishi, author of Amulet\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“This graphic novel \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ebelongs on shelves in school and libraries everywhere\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e.” \u003c\/em\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"A \u003cstrong\u003epowerful, knowledgeable, and pressing exploration\u003c\/strong\u003e of the intersection where swimming meets Black identity. Empowerment through swimming and swim team is well-embodied in Bree, a smart, perseverant, anxious kid who readers will embrace instantly. The friendly and familiar style of Christmas' linework pours out into some true artistry.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChallenging the idea that “Black people aren’t good at swimming,” this middle grade debut from Christmas (the Angel Catbird series, for adults) details segregation’s generational impact through a \u003cstrong\u003ewarmhearted story of community, Black diasporic identity, and learning\u003c\/strong\u003e, all portrayed in kinetic contemporary art. - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“\u003c\/em\u003eProblem-solving through perseverance and friendship is the real win in this \u003cstrong\u003edeeply smart and inspiring story\u003c\/strong\u003e.”  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eQuestions of belonging, ability, racial justice and who gets to swim are handled with thought and care...its nuanced storytelling and visual appeal will have outsize reach and meaning beyond this age group. - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperAlley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44889686245605,"sku":"NP9780063056770","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780063056770.jpg?v=1730231748","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/swim-team-a-graphic-novel-isbn-9780063056770","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}