The Big Splash

by Angela Ahn, Julie Kim (illustrator)

Julia and her swim team struggle with a new strict coach, but she is determined to make a big splash regardless in this buoyant illustrated chapter book for ages 7 and up. For fans of Mindy Kim and Jasmine Toguchi.

Julia is dismayed to learn that Coach Marissa has to leave the Vipers swim team for an urgent family matter. Coach Nathan, their new temporary coach, is strict and humorless. He doesn't even let them have Splash Time! And it's not just Julia who's upset — two of her teammates have even quit the team. So it's no surprise that the team is not enthusiastic when Coach Nathan asks them to put together a car wash fundraiser for the team.

But then they learn that there's going to be a big increase in pool rental fees, which means the Vipers may lose practice days, or worse, not be able to swim at all. Julia takes the lead and gets the Vipers organized. Along the way, she learns more about her nemesis, teammate Olivia, and even Coach Nathan. Maybe first impressions aren't always the most accurate.

Genres: Middle Grade, Canada, Audiobook, Chapter Books, Sports, Juvenile, Childrens

175 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Thanks for finding me! I don't check Goodreads. Please connect with me on Twitter @angelaahnbooks or Instagram @writeahn.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute, feel-good middle grade novel about friendship, welcoming new people and adjusting to change as the Vancouver Viper swim team has to learn how to work with a new coach and work together to raise funds in order to keep being able to pay for swim times. I really enjoy this Asian Canadian led series that is all about acceptance, diversity and cooperation. Highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Read by Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The takeaway: Sometimes people give bad first impressions. A fun story for Asian Canadian children and swim club members to see themselves represented in fiction.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia adores her swim team, the Vipers, so she and the rest of the team are devastated to learn that their beloved Coach Marissa will be leaving them for an unknown length of time due to a family emergency. Even worse, their replacement coach, Coach Nathan, is terrible! He's mean and dictatorial, not an ounce of humor, critical even when they are trying their hardest, and doesn't give them any free "splash time" at the end of practices. Two people quit the team to get away from him. Then he announces that they have to do another fundraiser--a carwash in November! Ugh, what is he thinking? Well, he's thinking that the junior team doesn't have enough funds to cover the pool's raising the rental rates, and if they want to keep practicing there, they need more money. So Julia throws herself into it, and on the side manages to make a new friend (though there's some friend drama with her school bestie), and wonder if she's misjudged Coach Nathan.

This was pretty good. Predictable, but that's ok. Good details about swimming and the pool environment, and Julia's parents' sushi restaurant in the same community center. It touches on inequalities when Julia compares her life to that of her wealthy new friend, Olivia. It was hard to come around to seeing Coach Nathan in a positive light since he was really awful at the start. This is too young for my students, but a good choice for elementary school. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.

[OpenedBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela Ahn delivers another winning story in Julia on the Go – The Big Splash, a sequel that stands firmly on its own while deepening the heart and complexity of the series. This early chapter book is a beautiful exploration of community, shifting friendships, and stepping into unfamiliar territory—whether that means meeting new people, taking on new responsibilities, or navigating uncomfortable feelings.

Julia Nam, already a familiar and lovable protagonist from the first installment, returns with her trademark honesty and emotional insight. Once again, Ahn captures the nuances of a child’s inner world with remarkable clarity. Julia’s reflections on her feelings—whether she’s navigating the awkwardness of a new friendship, feeling resentment toward adults, or struggling with her place in a group—are written with a gentle empathy that encourages young readers to reflect on their own emotions, too.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle a wide array of real-life themes with simplicity and grace. From economic hardship to family-run businesses, from the frustrations of group dynamics to the joy and challenge of team sports, everything is woven seamlessly into a fast-paced, engaging narrative. Ahn doesn’t shy away from complexity, but she presents it in a way that is accessible and meaningful to young readers.

The story is tight and well-structured, with intersecting plotlines that come together in a satisfying, kid-friendly resolution. The blend of humour, heart, and everyday drama makes it both relatable and entertaining. While it covers some difficult themes, the tone remains light, making it a perfect balance for readers just beginning to tackle longer, more layered stories.

Julia on the Go – The Big Splash is a fantastic addition to any early reader’s collection—smart, sincere, and full of charm. Angela Ahn once again proves her talent for writing stories that resonate with kids and adults alike.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julia loves swimming, and she loves her coach, so she is upset when her coach has to go away because of a family emergency, and gets replaced by a grumpy one.

Plus, there has to be a fundraiser, and the kids have to make posters, and then wash cars.

Julia will do anything to help her team, so she goes all in, and rallies the troops, so to speak.

This is the second book in the series, and I find the stories cute and relatable. Julia’s parents own a sushi shop in the community center where the swimming is held, and she helps out there from time to time. She is a likable, if sometimes mischievous character. I like how in this volume, we see how she has empathy, and understands why the new coach is so grumpy.

Great fun and a quick read.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 11th of February 2025.

[Kay S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a sequel, I loved the way this tackles so many issues in such a simple way and walks the reader through how to work through the situations as a child. I really enjoyed how tight the story is while encompassing weird friendships, disliking adults, friend groups, economic issues and how they affect people, running a business, the act of wearing many hats, AND sports. It all fits so well into the story.

Ahn has always done really well with expressing the kid thought process and this book is no different - Julia identifies and thinks through her feelings, admitting when they feel wrong and how she should address the feeling.

The intersecting plots are brought together really well and in a way kids are both interested in and can easily understand. This is a great early chapter book and the audiobook is wonderfully produced!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Splash is an easy middle grade chapter book about a community swim team. The young characters are easy to identify with, and when faced with problems, generally react with kindness toward each other. I found the plot a bit frustrating, as the problems all seemed to resolve themselves without much action from the protagonist. She comes across as more of an observer than an active participant. The swim team does some fundraising to help each other out, but most of the interpersonal problems seem to just clear up on their own. This story almost feels like an introduction to characters rather than a full story, but it is a simple and fun read for younger readers.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2 in this series gives young readers more into Julia's life adapting to change in her swim practices and with friendships. She realizes she can be open, give new people and things a chance, namely a new coach and a swim team member. I really enjoy the meticulous black & white illustrations, particularly the facial expressions. The writing style seems to be aimed at helping 8 - 12 year olds develop their reading skills. It's not challenging, and kids can get through the short chapters quickly. I won this book in a LibraryThing giveaway for my LFL, Verobeach Little Free Library.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars This was fine. In this book, the swim coach has to leave for a family emergency. They get a jerk for a swim coach, kids quit, they plan a fundraiser, etc. The kids were quitters (they quit after 1-2 practices with the new coach) and there were a lot of plot holes. Overall, I liked the ending and the attempted message, but this wasn't great. There is a mention of a woman and her wife, whether thats a positive or negative for you, there it is.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia finds true joy with her swim team, but things begin to sour when her beloved coach is called away for a family matter and is temporarily replaced by grumpy Coach Nathan. Young readers will find that adversity sometimes brings people together and that your first judgement of a person or situation is not always correct.

This a well written book with illustrations that help to define the words.

@Tundrabooks
@PenguinRandomCA

[Linda Stopani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and I did not read the first. This didn’t seem to matter. The story stands on its own. It’s written for kids 7-10 years old and is very relatable. Julia learns some life lessons as she learns to deal with situations she’s not happy about. The author gives subtle advice on relationships and making quick judgments about people. It is a fun and quick read. The author did a great job. I highly recommend it.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting to see a second volume appear. Jumped into this one immediately. What I love most about this series is that it is very subtle in giving advice, and good life lessons and showing the worries of the adults (relatable with contemporary times) still focusing on Julia and her issues as a pre-teen. She misses her coach, she can't connect to the new one who is very rigid and comes across as mean, but she understands that people have different opinions and that what seems one thing may not be. That works for Olivia, who in the end can be a good friend and the new coach who did his best to save their team.

Working together and respecting others. Very sweet and easy to read, too. I also love the covers of this series.

I love both formats book and audio.

Listened to with librofm educational influences program

[Sharon Tacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging middle grade story centered on Korean-Canadian Julia. The descriptions of her world are rich and detailed. Dominant themes are Julie’s initiative and ability to confront and adapt to change.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this with E at bedtime. Not much of a plot, but the narrator had a slow calm voice that made it easy to fall asleep to. E loved it and asked me to find more of the series. She’s hard to please as a reader, so I’m excited to finally find something she likes!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Julia and the team are disappointed when Coach Marissa has to go away to take care of a family issue and Coach Nathan takes over the Vipers. Coach Nathan yells a lot and doesn't give the kids Splash Time. Julia learns more about Coach Nathan as she works with him on the big fundraiser.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had known this was the second book about Julia.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver Birch Express 2026

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, fun story about a girl and things that happen with her swim team. Good characters who are so like people we know. Highly recommended by this grandma and two grade schoolers.
Perfect for reading alone or with someone. Makes a good gift to many as well as to your local library or a school.
I won the hardcover in a LibraryThing Giveaway and then bought an audio to keep for myself.
#TheBigSplash by Angela Ahn @writeahn illustrated by Julie Kim @juliejookim #JuliaOntheGoBk2 @TundraBooks @PenguinRandomCA
#KoreanCanadians #LifeLessons #imaginative #series #humor #swimteam #Canada #preteen

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle grade contemporary realistic fiction. Julia is on the swim team. Her coach Marissa has to leave for a family emergency, and their new coach Nathan is a lot more strict. Some of her teammates leave the team and soon Coach Nathan has everyone rushing around for a last minute car wash fundraiser-- in November! This is a shorter story, second in a series although I did not read book one. I didn't find it particularly memorable but it is good to see a sports themed book for this age level as those can be hard to find.