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A Big Splash
Friends don’t say mean things about you behind your back. Friends let you play cricket with them even when they don’t need an extra fielder.
A falling-out with her friends drives thirteen-year-old Dhivya to seek solace in the waters of the village tank. That day, she receives some advice and is sucked into the world of competitive swimming, far away from her home near the cotton fields in Siruganpur. Soon, she makes friends with another swimmer – Ambika. Will Dhivya be able to hold on to this friendship?
Nivedha Ganesh spins fiction from facts with verve and imagination in a story that’s humorous, relatable, and inspiring all at once.
A falling-out with her friends drives thirteen-year-old Dhivya to seek solace in the waters of the village tank. That day, she receives some advice and is sucked into the world of competitive swimming, far away from her home near the cotton fields in Siruganpur. Soon, she makes friends with another swimmer – Ambika. Will Dhivya be able to hold on to this friendship?
Nivedha Ganesh spins fiction from facts with verve and imagination in a story that’s humorous, relatable, and inspiring all at once.
Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 10, 2020
Realistic fiction from the rural part of India. Well written, surely will make the reader learn the life and work and motivate.
May 2, 2023
A Big Splash is a heartwarming and inspiring story of Dhivya, a young girl who discovers her passion for swimming and makes new friends.
The author skillfully depicts the struggles and pleasures of following a sport in a rural Indian setting and the value of friendship and family. The characters are believable and easy to connect with, and the writing is clear and captivating.
I liked how the author mixed facts and fiction to create a vivid picture of life in Siruganpur and the world of competitive swimming. I also enjoyed the humour and the cultural references that added flavour to the story. The only thing I disliked was that the ending felt rushed and abrupt. I wish the author had shown more of Dhivya's experiences and how she adapted to the new situations in her life.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars because it was an enjoyable and uplifting read that made me smile and cheer for Dhivya. Anyone who likes stories about sports, friendship, and overcoming difficulties will enjoy this book.
The author skillfully depicts the struggles and pleasures of following a sport in a rural Indian setting and the value of friendship and family. The characters are believable and easy to connect with, and the writing is clear and captivating.
I liked how the author mixed facts and fiction to create a vivid picture of life in Siruganpur and the world of competitive swimming. I also enjoyed the humour and the cultural references that added flavour to the story. The only thing I disliked was that the ending felt rushed and abrupt. I wish the author had shown more of Dhivya's experiences and how she adapted to the new situations in her life.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars because it was an enjoyable and uplifting read that made me smile and cheer for Dhivya. Anyone who likes stories about sports, friendship, and overcoming difficulties will enjoy this book.
December 21, 2021
What a brilliant story! This book provides a ton of diverse and inclusive representation, one that I hadnt read in Indian children's fiction in a long time. The story is a fictional imagining based on real life Young Paralympics champions Ambica and Dhivya, swimmers from Southern India.
Both the girls are differently abled and other than showcasing their grit and perseverance, the story also focuses on friendships and bullying.
Recommended Age: 8-10 years
Both the girls are differently abled and other than showcasing their grit and perseverance, the story also focuses on friendships and bullying.
Recommended Age: 8-10 years
January 2, 2022
I don't like Indian Southern Stories. But this one was very fascinating about the village life, poor people and how village ailments are healed. This book talks about the life of two young swimmers, Ambika and Dhivya. They have some ailment, Dhivya is short, she has Pituary Dwarfism as Ambika has her right hand never healed completely. The author traces their life from their youth to their participation in the Asian Paralympics.
March 30, 2023
This entire series is so delightful. What I love about them is the fact that they are set in rural India and have characters from marginalised backgrounds. Assuming most young readers are urban and privileged, it will be good for them to read stories of strong individuals who come from backgrounds different from their own. And if someone from rural India reads- representation matters, doesn't it?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews