Title: Breathing Underwater
Author: Sarah Allen
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers
Release Date: March 30, 2021
Pages: 224
Breathing Underwater is 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.
Olivia is on the road trip of her dreams, with her trusty camera and her big sister Ruth by her side. Three years ago, before their family moved from California to Tennessee, Olivia and Ruth buried a time capsule on their favorite beach. Now, they’re taking an RV back across the country to uncover the memories they left behind. But Ruth’s depression has been getting worse, so Olivia has created a plan to help her remember how life used to be: a makeshift scavenger hunt across the country, like pirates hunting for treasure, taking pictures and making memories along the way.
All she wants is to take the picture that makes her sister smile. But what if things can never go back to how they used to be? What if they never find the treasure they’re seeking? Through all the questions, loving her sister, not changing her, is all Olivia can do—and maybe it’s enough.
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**Thank you so much to NetGalley and Xpresso Tours for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour!**
Three years ago, Olivia and her older sister, Ruth, moved across the United States. Fast forward to now, Ruth's depression has gotten worse and she's shut herself out from the world. As Olivia, her aunt, uncle, and Ruth travel back to California on the same route, she is determined to make things better for her sister.
Olivia misses her sister a lot. Even though she knows that it is not Ruth's fault that she's sick, she still wishes that they would talk and interact more. Instead, she spends her time watching for signs of sickening symptoms and does her best to avoid them starting up. More and more often, Ruth's world seems to distance itself from Olivia's.
One of the worst parts about depression is that it's not like an outside illness, where you can see the broken bone or the red swollen nose. It's an illness where you have to know the subtle signs.
Olivia has planned the perfect way on this RV trip to bring back happy memories for Ruth. Her depression is bad and Olivia's worried that she'll fall into The Pit more and more often. Although getting cured is still a long way, she still hopes this trip and the memories will make things better.
They aren't the perfect words, maybe for either of us. No words will mean what I want them to, but for now, these will do. I reach over and find her hand and hold it and she holds my hand back.
Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4)
This book was written well. Even though this book is targeted towards younger audiences, I feel like depression was told in an appropriate way. It was touching to see Olivia and Ruth's relationship grow throughout the story.
One thing I loved was how close the family was in the book. Even though communicating was sometimes difficult, Olivia's entire family stuck together and they all tried to find ways to help Ruth. Not only that but her aunt and uncle also helped which I think provided Ruth with more support even though she might not have said so.
Overall Breathing Underwater is a great book I recommend to everyone, even older people. Beware though, that you may tear up while reading this amazing book.
**Check down below to see the full blog tour schedule consisting of amazing excerpts, interviews, reviews, and more!**
About the Author
Sarah Allen is the author of What Stars Are Made Of, and has also been published in The Evansville Review, Cicada, and on WritersDigest.com. She grew up in the mountains of Utah where she got one MFA, and because she's a little bit crazy, she's now at work on a second MFA in the tropics of Florida. Other than writing poetry and books for children, she can be found singing show tunes too loudly, watching David Attenborough documentaries or, like Olivia and Ruth, hunting for treasure. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram!
Great review! This sounds like a very well written, compelling read - and emotional, too!
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