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Barely Floating
A dazzling story full of heart about how one twelve-year-old channels her rage into synchronized swimming dreams, from the author of The Education of Margot Sanchez and Never Look Back, Lilliam Rivera.
Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, also known as Nat, was swimming neighborhood kids out of their money at the local Boyle Heights pool when her life changed. The LA Mermaids performed, emerging out of the water with matching sequined swimsuits, and it was then that synchronized swimming stole her heart.
The problem? Her activist mom and professor dad think it's a sport with too much emphasis on looks--on being thin and white. Nat grew up the youngest in a house full of boys, so she knows how to fight for what she wants, often using her anger to fuel her. People often underestimate her swimming skills when they see her stomach rolls, but she knows better than to worry about what people think. Sometimes, she feels more like a submarine than a mermaid, but she wonders if she could be both.
Barely Floating explores what it means to sparkle in your skin, build community with those who lift you up, and keep floating when waters get rough.
Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, also known as Nat, was swimming neighborhood kids out of their money at the local Boyle Heights pool when her life changed. The LA Mermaids performed, emerging out of the water with matching sequined swimsuits, and it was then that synchronized swimming stole her heart.
The problem? Her activist mom and professor dad think it's a sport with too much emphasis on looks--on being thin and white. Nat grew up the youngest in a house full of boys, so she knows how to fight for what she wants, often using her anger to fuel her. People often underestimate her swimming skills when they see her stomach rolls, but she knows better than to worry about what people think. Sometimes, she feels more like a submarine than a mermaid, but she wonders if she could be both.
Barely Floating explores what it means to sparkle in your skin, build community with those who lift you up, and keep floating when waters get rough.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 29, 2023
19 people are currently reading
2816 people want to read
About the author
Lilliam Rivera
27 books552 followersLilliam Rivera is an award-winning author of children’s books including her latest Never Look Back, a retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice set in New York by Bloomsbury Publishing. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Elle, to name a few. Lilliam lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 11, 2024
I hate that I waited so long to get to this one! It was such a fun read. CW: physical altercations, microagressions, violent outbursts, homophobia.
Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera is unlike any middle grade that I've read before in that it presents to a readers a lead character that doesn't fit into the typical mold of middle grade characters. It follows Nat who has trouble effectively expressing herself in high tension moments. In fact, most times she's quick to react in ways that lead to violent outburst. One of these outburst leads to her getting removed from the community pool. Forced to attend a different pool, Nat encounters the LA Mermaids, a synchronized swimming team, and immediately feels compelled to join. Unfortunately, not only does Nat have to deal with parents who disapprove of a sport that seems to focus too heavily on looks, but also a society that doesn't think she's thin enough to compete. What follows is a story of self-discovery, growth, self-love, and finding one's voice.
What Worked: I absolutely loved Nat. She's different and I have tendency to like what's different. She makes poor choices, makes horrible assumptions, and has a lot of growing up to do, but she's also caring, compassionate, and knows how to stand up for herself and what she believes in. This, ultimately, made her one of the most balanced characters that I've come across in middle grade this year. Most importantly, Nat grows and learns how to effectively deal with her anger. The descriptions of what it takes to participate in synchronized swimming were GREAT. While I wanted more of that on page, the moments we do get as reader paint an entirely new picture of the sport. Rivera also does a great job developing the side characters. I also appreciated the full circle moment that we end up getting with Nat's parents. While I know the lying won't be a hit for some audiences, it is something that happens between parents/caregivers and their children.
Overall, this was a great book and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Lilliam Rivera.
Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera is unlike any middle grade that I've read before in that it presents to a readers a lead character that doesn't fit into the typical mold of middle grade characters. It follows Nat who has trouble effectively expressing herself in high tension moments. In fact, most times she's quick to react in ways that lead to violent outburst. One of these outburst leads to her getting removed from the community pool. Forced to attend a different pool, Nat encounters the LA Mermaids, a synchronized swimming team, and immediately feels compelled to join. Unfortunately, not only does Nat have to deal with parents who disapprove of a sport that seems to focus too heavily on looks, but also a society that doesn't think she's thin enough to compete. What follows is a story of self-discovery, growth, self-love, and finding one's voice.
What Worked: I absolutely loved Nat. She's different and I have tendency to like what's different. She makes poor choices, makes horrible assumptions, and has a lot of growing up to do, but she's also caring, compassionate, and knows how to stand up for herself and what she believes in. This, ultimately, made her one of the most balanced characters that I've come across in middle grade this year. Most importantly, Nat grows and learns how to effectively deal with her anger. The descriptions of what it takes to participate in synchronized swimming were GREAT. While I wanted more of that on page, the moments we do get as reader paint an entirely new picture of the sport. Rivera also does a great job developing the side characters. I also appreciated the full circle moment that we end up getting with Nat's parents. While I know the lying won't be a hit for some audiences, it is something that happens between parents/caregivers and their children.
Overall, this was a great book and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Lilliam Rivera.
July 27, 2023
This was a big-hearted middle grade novel featuring Nat, a 12 year old fat Latina girl with an anger management problem. After a few too many violent outbursts, Nat tries to find better ways to manage her anger (including meditation and swimming). She's immediately drawn to the synchronized swimming team with their glittery costumes and beautiful movements.
The problem is her liberal minded parents don't think it's a good sport for her with its emphasis on standard beauty ideals, causing Nat to lie and join the team without their permission. What follows is a series of misadventures that has Nat letting down both her best friend and her parents as she tries to show everyone that fat girls can do synchro too!
Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Starfish by Lisa Fipps and Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! This book releases August 29th and is definitely one to watch for!!
⚠️CW: homophobia
The problem is her liberal minded parents don't think it's a good sport for her with its emphasis on standard beauty ideals, causing Nat to lie and join the team without their permission. What follows is a series of misadventures that has Nat letting down both her best friend and her parents as she tries to show everyone that fat girls can do synchro too!
Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Starfish by Lisa Fipps and Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! This book releases August 29th and is definitely one to watch for!!
⚠️CW: homophobia
May 19, 2023
A great middle grade book emphasizing the importance of balancing responsibilities and interpreting activism in your own voice. As the protagonist struggles with being reactionary, she also has to balance school, friends, and her chosen sport of synchronized swimming. She shows that balancing different aspects of your life can be difficult and don't always go as planned. She also shows the importance of working on self-improvement as she tries to restrain her instinctive reaction of getting physical. Lastly, you have a great deal of activism in the protagonist's life as her mother is always fighting for something. Feminism is explored as more than just equality as the protagonist fights to have her voice heard.
Thank you Netgalley, for the eARC.
Thank you Netgalley, for the eARC.
September 26, 2023
This book had such potential -- and it hit some, and left some hanging. I believe that the story took on too many difficult topics and therefore didn't have time to juggle them all fairly. I feel the relationship between Nat and Julia had so many bumps that were not addressed. Overall a good read that had potential to be a great read if it had just not taken on so much.
July 26, 2025
One of my go-to fun facts about myself is that, when I was 14, I went to the US National and Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York, and competed in the sport of... synchronized swimming.* For me, "synchro" was a perfect combination of things I liked - dancing to music, and swimming. I was part of a team for a good chunk of my childhood.
Here, Rivera shares her lived experience as a parent of a kid who does this sport in a novel about Nat, a kid who knows she's destined to join the team.
Loved the inclusivity (gender, body type, and more), and what I read reflected my experience in this world. Nat's parents don't want her to join the team because of their social justice views, which is a perspective rep I appreciated. I'm excited to share this with middle schoolers at my next opportunity, though I'd definitely handsell it to upper-elementary kids, too.
*It was called that, then.
Here, Rivera shares her lived experience as a parent of a kid who does this sport in a novel about Nat, a kid who knows she's destined to join the team.
Loved the inclusivity (gender, body type, and more), and what I read reflected my experience in this world. Nat's parents don't want her to join the team because of their social justice views, which is a perspective rep I appreciated. I'm excited to share this with middle schoolers at my next opportunity, though I'd definitely handsell it to upper-elementary kids, too.
*It was called that, then.
January 5, 2024
This one was about an emotional 12 year old girl.....growing up and becoming more mature.. I was on a synchronized swim team when I was a teenager....this book was a wonderful look back to those days
May 2, 2024
Why do books nowadays have to take on every issue known to man, always with an activist mother? This book had potential and it fell short. If you are trying not to pigeon hole a person because of their weight why in the world would you write about a cheeseburger the way you do? Why do you have this child constantly thinking about food? The writing itself stereotyped this child. I am still holding out for a book that deals with weight and doesn't have the child fantasizing about food. Some children have weight issues and eat just like everyone else. I must be old school because I am still wanting books that have strong plots that are fully developed not the new age books that are a race to see how many issues one book can pack into a story.
April 5, 2024
2.5 ⭐️s
What I enjoyed: the main character, the humor, the plot, the writing style.
What I didn’t enjoy: if there is one thing that absolutely drives me insane in a book, it’s being preached to. Granted, this is more subtle than Barnhill’s brand of sermons, but man, the author really has a gripe against religion. As a person of faith, I found her depictions of Christianity extremely biased and offensive.
side note: the MC treats her best friend like trash, and her very privileged, picket fencing/protesting parents make NO effort to aid the best friend’s family who is very obviously living in poverty.
What I enjoyed: the main character, the humor, the plot, the writing style.
What I didn’t enjoy: if there is one thing that absolutely drives me insane in a book, it’s being preached to. Granted, this is more subtle than Barnhill’s brand of sermons, but man, the author really has a gripe against religion. As a person of faith, I found her depictions of Christianity extremely biased and offensive.
side note: the MC treats her best friend like trash, and her very privileged, picket fencing/protesting parents make NO effort to aid the best friend’s family who is very obviously living in poverty.
September 2, 2023
4 stars
#merkids
This recent middle grade release features a solid m.c. who is way more adept at lying to her parents than I ever was, but it’s for (kind of) a good cause. There’s a lot to like here including (fellow locals) the So Cal setting, body positivity, various expressions of feminism, and other reflections of gender and sexuality (the latter is so chaste). I’ll definitely be recommending this one to students.
*Special thanks to Libro.fm and their excellent Educator ALC program.
#merkids
This recent middle grade release features a solid m.c. who is way more adept at lying to her parents than I ever was, but it’s for (kind of) a good cause. There’s a lot to like here including (fellow locals) the So Cal setting, body positivity, various expressions of feminism, and other reflections of gender and sexuality (the latter is so chaste). I’ll definitely be recommending this one to students.
*Special thanks to Libro.fm and their excellent Educator ALC program.
April 10, 2023
Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera was a joy to read. The voice of the hero, a fierce 12-year-old Latina named Nat, was so compelling, and it was so rewarding to see how the way she thinks changes over the course of the book. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
August 24, 2024
12-year-old Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago known as Nat by her friends and family. She fell in love with synchronized swimming after seeing The LA Mermaids perform but unfortunately her parents think it’s a sport that only focuses on looks, so Nat lies and goes behind their backs to join the team while at the same time having to manage her friendship while surviving the difficulty of training.
Lilliam Rivera just made me fall in love with another masterpiece of a middle grade book that presents an unapologetic, brave character. I read reviews of people saying that they don’t stand the lying. Well i hate to break it to you but this is a book about a 12-year-old kid and it shows how realistic a relationship children have with their parents at that age.
It also spoke about the reality of what a kid like Nat has to endure while chasing her dreams. She’s not a perfect character for sure, but she’s trying her best.
She was written so well that her character development is focused on how to be a better person, not only for other people but for herself, especially in this topic of how she handles her anger and not to stay away from getting help even at that young age.
The racist, fatphobic, and sexist beauty standard in sports still exists, and I like Rivera’s way of tackling it.
Also, the way synchronized swimming was written makes me really happy—the details, the technique, the costume. CHEFS KISS🤍
trigger warnings: body shaming, fatphobia, homophobia, racism, misogyny, sexism, ableism, bullying.
Lilliam Rivera just made me fall in love with another masterpiece of a middle grade book that presents an unapologetic, brave character. I read reviews of people saying that they don’t stand the lying. Well i hate to break it to you but this is a book about a 12-year-old kid and it shows how realistic a relationship children have with their parents at that age.
It also spoke about the reality of what a kid like Nat has to endure while chasing her dreams. She’s not a perfect character for sure, but she’s trying her best.
She was written so well that her character development is focused on how to be a better person, not only for other people but for herself, especially in this topic of how she handles her anger and not to stay away from getting help even at that young age.
The racist, fatphobic, and sexist beauty standard in sports still exists, and I like Rivera’s way of tackling it.
Also, the way synchronized swimming was written makes me really happy—the details, the technique, the costume. CHEFS KISS🤍
trigger warnings: body shaming, fatphobia, homophobia, racism, misogyny, sexism, ableism, bullying.
September 10, 2023
This was so cute and sincere. The main character is interesting to me because she has personality traits different to typical middle grade MCs: she has a bit of a volatile streak when she feels taken advantage of or belittled and isn't afraid to talk trash and possibly throw punches. It was so genuine and reminded me of kids I have known in my life who constantly feel they have to defend themselves. I loved the synchro swimming aspect of this book - it was so fun to learn how much stretching and exercising is important to the sport, which provides a good outlet for Nat's internal struggles. I loved the friendships and family aspects of this book (minus the aunt/cousin side story if I'm honest). Of course, I wish there was less lying to grownups in this book; this is an overused crutch in middle grade books: we get it, lying moves the plot & creates tension/conflict, but I wish it went a different route. However, I just really loved Nat's self-love and acceptance of herself... it was beautiful!
January 13, 2024
A whole lot of lying going on in this book! Is lying ever justified? This is an amazing family read because it could open the discussion up for issues between parents and their kids regarding one agenda over another. Maybe parents push their ideas on to their kids in such a way that a kid can’t be who they want to be or pursue their interests. Why make you kid play a sport they don’t like because YOU liked it as a kid. This book goes there but even more so because it tackles body shaming and priviledge and anger management. Nat wants to join a team of synchronized swimmers and her mom is dead against it because it glorifies beauty over brains and Nat does a whole presentation about how she should be allowed to do it but her parents emphatically say NOPE. Then the lying. I’m surprised it’s not getting higher marks on GR because it’s quite good, but maybe it’s because the lying is a little hard to believe since you’d think the parents would be more tuned in to their kid. IDK. I loved it and I think kids will enjoy it too. Nat is a tad tough to like because she’s somewhat unwilling to see other ideas beyond her own and she really seems to have to hit rock bottom in her relationships with others, even her mother before she can see what her own actions have wrought, but I think that’s also the point. #EstherWilliams
July 13, 2023
Nat's spunk and self assuredness is unmatched. I loved the glimpse into team synchronized swimming and discussions of body positivity and inclusivity.
September 2, 2023
4.5 rounded up to 5
December 13, 2023
Tween Contemporary Fiction. Twelve year old Nat loves to swim in the public pool. She enjoys challenging others kids to bets whether they can beat her swimming the length of the pool. Since she is overweight, most kids don’t believe she isn’t a strong swimmer. They are wrong. She also has a temper that gets her into trouble. one day while visiting another pool with her older cousin, Sheila, she watches the L.A. Mermaids, an artistic (synchronized) swim team. She wants to join them but knows her parents won’t let her do it. What is she going to do? How long can she lie? How can she maintain her friendship with Joanne? Suggest for ages 10-12.
October 2, 2023
**Read for HHM
Verdict: 2.5 stars, rounding up to 3.
The biggest strength of this book, IMO, was its representation. Our MC -- Nat -- is a fat* Latina girl from East LA.
*While Rivera does engage with the idea "ideal" bodies and beauty standards and promotes a healthy body positivity message, there isn't a lot of engagement with the word "fat" -- or, at least, what engagement there is, is pretty shallow.
In general, Rivera's writing style wasn't for me. The sentences are short and relatively simple, and at times, I felt like I was being talked down to, rather than treated as an equal. While Rivera is dealing with some more mature ideas and themes in the book (beauty standards, diversity, racism, classism, homophobia), it all feels like a really shallow story that covers a lot of ideas without any real depth. It doesn't help that Nat isn't the most likable character, but we really only get a sense of her anger, for example, by being told that Nat is feeling angry. A lot of telling, and not a lot of showing, which makes (IMO) for an overall shallow & surface-level story.
For example: despite the clear set-up of Sheila's coming-out storyline, and the mention of Nat's parents as activists in earlier chapters, it's only about 75% in where Rivera mentions that oh yeah, the family has supported LGBTQIA+ causes in the past and have had several kids stay with them while they find their feet. It could have been introduced much earlier -- in a relatively easy way -- to make the scene land a lot more emotionally.
I'd probably still recommend (hence the rounding up), but would probably rec to late /mature elementary school readers. It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine to feel like the target audience (~9-12 y'o) influences how a writer writes, and I'm very much in line with CS Lewis who believed that the best children's books are the ones which respect their audience. Lewis actually believes that audience has little to do with writing -- and "children's story" is more of a genre, than an audience -- and that a Good children's book should be able to be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Verdict: 2.5 stars, rounding up to 3.
The biggest strength of this book, IMO, was its representation. Our MC -- Nat -- is a fat* Latina girl from East LA.
*While Rivera does engage with the idea "ideal" bodies and beauty standards and promotes a healthy body positivity message, there isn't a lot of engagement with the word "fat" -- or, at least, what engagement there is, is pretty shallow.
In general, Rivera's writing style wasn't for me. The sentences are short and relatively simple, and at times, I felt like I was being talked down to, rather than treated as an equal. While Rivera is dealing with some more mature ideas and themes in the book (beauty standards, diversity, racism, classism, homophobia), it all feels like a really shallow story that covers a lot of ideas without any real depth. It doesn't help that Nat isn't the most likable character, but we really only get a sense of her anger, for example, by being told that Nat is feeling angry. A lot of telling, and not a lot of showing, which makes (IMO) for an overall shallow & surface-level story.
For example: despite the clear set-up of Sheila's coming-out storyline, and the mention of Nat's parents as activists in earlier chapters, it's only about 75% in where Rivera mentions that oh yeah, the family has supported LGBTQIA+ causes in the past and have had several kids stay with them while they find their feet. It could have been introduced much earlier -- in a relatively easy way -- to make the scene land a lot more emotionally.
I'd probably still recommend (hence the rounding up), but would probably rec to late /mature elementary school readers. It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine to feel like the target audience (~9-12 y'o) influences how a writer writes, and I'm very much in line with CS Lewis who believed that the best children's books are the ones which respect their audience. Lewis actually believes that audience has little to do with writing -- and "children's story" is more of a genre, than an audience -- and that a Good children's book should be able to be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
May 16, 2023
this was so insanely cute what the heck
October 18, 2024
Read this for the StoryGraph 2024 Genre Challenge. I forgot how fun middle grade books can be 😀
Adult me: 4⭐️ This was surprisingly deep and enjoyable.
Middle grade me (probably): 3.5⭐️ Parents are so annoying, see!
Energy: Industrious. Decisive. Eager.
🐕 Howls
A key character’s story was left unresolved and I so needed to know what happened to her and if she’s okay 😥
🐩 Tail Wags
Refreshing exploration of feminism, womanhood, and the complexities of identity. Surprisingly deep exploration of how femininity and empowerment can take many forms, depending on the person. Value of team sports in building confidence without overlooking the potential harm caused by professionalization of kids’ sports. Dives into the intricacies of being Latina, with insightful reflections. Complex main character. The friendship dynamics and development.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in Los Angeles, California, USA
Perspective: Our 12-year old main character discovers artistic (synchronized) swimming while hanging out at the local pool, but their parents don’t support them joining a team because of their beliefs around the sport and feminism.
Timeline: Current (2010s or 2020s). ☀️ Summer and early Fall.
🔥 Fuel: text. How will our main character get to participate in artistic swimming? How can she prove to her parents it’s a worthwhile cause?
📖 Cred: Realistic
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Vogue magazine. Outdoor pool. Esther Williams. Fenty lipstick. Sequin swimsuit. Protest marches. Meditation app. In-N-Out. Hamilton soundtrack.
• Extracurriculars quest
• Opposites attract besties
• Body confident, glam, imperfect main character
• Growing up in an activist fam
• Heart in the right place scheming
• Developing interests that differ from your friends
• Parents as obstacles to interests and true self
• Prove the parents wrong
• Trying to balance schoolwork, team sport, and friendship
• Bouts of self-doubt
• Parents admitting their mistakes
• Main character talking to us, giving us insight into her feelings, thoughts, and motivations and plans.
Content Heads-Up: Blackmail. Keeping secrets from parents. Peer snark (indifference, giggling, sneering). Lesbophobia, homophobia (from parent). Parental rejection (homophobic, kicked out).
Rep: Latine. Ethiopian ancestry. American. Cis. Lesbian. Hetero. Fat. Sun-kissed, brown, light-skinned, freckled, and dark skin tones.
📚 Format: Kobo
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
Adult me: 4⭐️ This was surprisingly deep and enjoyable.
Middle grade me (probably): 3.5⭐️ Parents are so annoying, see!
Energy: Industrious. Decisive. Eager.
🐕 Howls
A key character’s story was left unresolved and I so needed to know what happened to her and if she’s okay 😥
🐩 Tail Wags
Refreshing exploration of feminism, womanhood, and the complexities of identity. Surprisingly deep exploration of how femininity and empowerment can take many forms, depending on the person. Value of team sports in building confidence without overlooking the potential harm caused by professionalization of kids’ sports. Dives into the intricacies of being Latina, with insightful reflections. Complex main character. The friendship dynamics and development.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in Los Angeles, California, USA
Perspective: Our 12-year old main character discovers artistic (synchronized) swimming while hanging out at the local pool, but their parents don’t support them joining a team because of their beliefs around the sport and feminism.
Timeline: Current (2010s or 2020s). ☀️ Summer and early Fall.
🔥 Fuel: text. How will our main character get to participate in artistic swimming? How can she prove to her parents it’s a worthwhile cause?
📖 Cred: Realistic
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Vogue magazine. Outdoor pool. Esther Williams. Fenty lipstick. Sequin swimsuit. Protest marches. Meditation app. In-N-Out. Hamilton soundtrack.
• Extracurriculars quest
• Opposites attract besties
• Body confident, glam, imperfect main character
• Growing up in an activist fam
• Heart in the right place scheming
• Developing interests that differ from your friends
• Parents as obstacles to interests and true self
• Prove the parents wrong
• Trying to balance schoolwork, team sport, and friendship
• Bouts of self-doubt
• Parents admitting their mistakes
• Main character talking to us, giving us insight into her feelings, thoughts, and motivations and plans.
Content Heads-Up: Blackmail. Keeping secrets from parents. Peer snark (indifference, giggling, sneering). Lesbophobia, homophobia (from parent). Parental rejection (homophobic, kicked out).
Rep: Latine. Ethiopian ancestry. American. Cis. Lesbian. Hetero. Fat. Sun-kissed, brown, light-skinned, freckled, and dark skin tones.
📚 Format: Kobo
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
September 4, 2023
Nat Santiago loves nothing more than swimming, and she kills at it, especially since everyone tends to underestimate her due to her body shape; so much the better for winning money off them when they laughingly take up her bets at her local pool. Then Nat's life changes one day when a synchronized swim team, the LA Mermaids, performs at her pool as they recruit new members. Nat loves the power and the artistry, and especially the sequined bathing suits! She's living proof that you can be a girly girl and a killer athlete at the same time. However, her activist parents tell her she can't join the team because it focuses too much on thin bodies and white girls. Does Nat quietly concede? Of course not! She's loud and in-your-face at the best of times, and is willing to blackmail older cousin Sheila to get Sheila to take Nat to practices. But it's hard! The workout is intense, it eats up time that her best friend resents, and it's getting harder and harder to lie to so many people to get to competitions and practices. Something's sure to explode--but Nat isn't giving up her dream for anything.
Nat is a larger-than-life character, and sometimes too much in-your-face and dismissive of/oblivious to others' needs/wants/feelings, but she gets some lessons in this as the book progresses. It's nice to get representation for both female athletes (especially those with stereotypically "unathletic" body types) and girly girls, since there is zero reason girls can't be both or either without shame. Sometimes it's the girly girls who come in for the most shame, which is so unfair. The representation of artistic swimming is a welcome addition to middle school books, and it's a good wake-up call for anyone reading who thinks it's easy (I'm sure ballet dancers suffer the same stereotypes). The friendship drama was real, too; middle school is often when interests start to diverge, and resentment and hurt feelings can build up as you pull apart. There's a delicate balance between following your own dreams and failing your friends, and Nat totally fails her friend, though her friend does need to expand her own circle rather than relying on Nat exclusively. In any case, a good one to add to any middle school collection. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
Nat is a larger-than-life character, and sometimes too much in-your-face and dismissive of/oblivious to others' needs/wants/feelings, but she gets some lessons in this as the book progresses. It's nice to get representation for both female athletes (especially those with stereotypically "unathletic" body types) and girly girls, since there is zero reason girls can't be both or either without shame. Sometimes it's the girly girls who come in for the most shame, which is so unfair. The representation of artistic swimming is a welcome addition to middle school books, and it's a good wake-up call for anyone reading who thinks it's easy (I'm sure ballet dancers suffer the same stereotypes). The friendship drama was real, too; middle school is often when interests start to diverge, and resentment and hurt feelings can build up as you pull apart. There's a delicate balance between following your own dreams and failing your friends, and Nat totally fails her friend, though her friend does need to expand her own circle rather than relying on Nat exclusively. In any case, a good one to add to any middle school collection. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
May 8, 2024
4.5. This middle-grade novel has the classic set-up where the MC (here, Nat) progressively makes a massive mess of things until they hit rock bottom, then have to figure out how to get back on track. I eat it up every time! There is a sense of catharsis these types of narratives give me, and it was well-executed here. The plot did feel a little rushed at times, though not enough to dock more than half a star.
The first thing you need to know about me and this book is that I am a Nat apologist. She did make some questionable decisions, but she was also trying SO HARD. (And honestly, the people around her didn’t always treat her great, either!) Nat’s character development is focused on how she learns about and manages her impulsivity and anger. Through this, Rivera shows how people of the global majority are excluded from participating in mental health practices like mindfulness because of the lack of Black and Brown visibility in these practices (due to whitewashing, appropriation, and other racist factors). It makes Nat hesitant to engage in meditation to help her make more informed decisions, even though later we’ll see how much of a positive impact eventually practicing it has on her.
Rivera takes on another complicated topic in this book, asking the question: is it feminist to enjoy things that, historically and in present day, have been used to belittle and control women? (For example: makeup, fashion, and here synchronised/artistic swimming.) Rivera’s answer is that it is important to understand the history of these things and their current context so as not to engage in bigotry yourself, but that they’re not inherently bad, and neither is enjoying them. There are other reasons why women might be drawn to these things other than adhering to racist, sexist, fatphobic beauty standards. Rivera also makes clear that the cultures surrounding these things can and should be changed. Essentially, lots of things can be true at once. I’m still learning and understanding the nuance of this topic, so I’m glad that MGs have the opportunity to engage with this discourse at their young age. I am also grateful for Rivera’s intersectional perspective through fat Latina MC Nat, whose marginalised identities highlight that it is more than just misogyny that women have to consider when participating in such things as synchronised/artistic swimming.
I loved how this book promised synchronised/artistic swimming and actually delivered. Rivera, whose daughter did synchronised/artistic swimming, thrusts us into this world. Rivera described technical positions, what happens at practices and competitions, key figures in the community, details on how costuming works, and most importantly, she wrote about how Nat felt when she does the sport. This is how to write a character playing a sport (or doing a hobby)! I need details, and I need to believe in the character’s connection to it, and I got both here.
My final note is that I adoreeeee this cover. It’s what first drew me to this book and kept me thinking about it after its release. The art style, arrangements, and colours are just so fantastic. Unfortunately I’ve returned the book to the library and so can’t check who the cover artist/designer was!
Rep: fat Latina MC, lesbian (word not used) Latina SC, Latine SCs, Ethiopian-American SCs, Black SC
The first thing you need to know about me and this book is that I am a Nat apologist. She did make some questionable decisions, but she was also trying SO HARD. (And honestly, the people around her didn’t always treat her great, either!) Nat’s character development is focused on how she learns about and manages her impulsivity and anger. Through this, Rivera shows how people of the global majority are excluded from participating in mental health practices like mindfulness because of the lack of Black and Brown visibility in these practices (due to whitewashing, appropriation, and other racist factors). It makes Nat hesitant to engage in meditation to help her make more informed decisions, even though later we’ll see how much of a positive impact eventually practicing it has on her.
Rivera takes on another complicated topic in this book, asking the question: is it feminist to enjoy things that, historically and in present day, have been used to belittle and control women? (For example: makeup, fashion, and here synchronised/artistic swimming.) Rivera’s answer is that it is important to understand the history of these things and their current context so as not to engage in bigotry yourself, but that they’re not inherently bad, and neither is enjoying them. There are other reasons why women might be drawn to these things other than adhering to racist, sexist, fatphobic beauty standards. Rivera also makes clear that the cultures surrounding these things can and should be changed. Essentially, lots of things can be true at once. I’m still learning and understanding the nuance of this topic, so I’m glad that MGs have the opportunity to engage with this discourse at their young age. I am also grateful for Rivera’s intersectional perspective through fat Latina MC Nat, whose marginalised identities highlight that it is more than just misogyny that women have to consider when participating in such things as synchronised/artistic swimming.
I loved how this book promised synchronised/artistic swimming and actually delivered. Rivera, whose daughter did synchronised/artistic swimming, thrusts us into this world. Rivera described technical positions, what happens at practices and competitions, key figures in the community, details on how costuming works, and most importantly, she wrote about how Nat felt when she does the sport. This is how to write a character playing a sport (or doing a hobby)! I need details, and I need to believe in the character’s connection to it, and I got both here.
My final note is that I adoreeeee this cover. It’s what first drew me to this book and kept me thinking about it after its release. The art style, arrangements, and colours are just so fantastic. Unfortunately I’ve returned the book to the library and so can’t check who the cover artist/designer was!
Rep: fat Latina MC, lesbian (word not used) Latina SC, Latine SCs, Ethiopian-American SCs, Black SC
August 19, 2024
3.75! Admittedly, this could be stressful, but I liked Nat’s character development and the perspective given on synchronized swimming! (Although, I could do with a couple more descriptions.) Middle grades centering around a kid’s snowballing lies are kind of a trope in their own way, but I will say that Nat’s anxiety and anger issues were something I hadn’t really heard of being handled in many other books? I liked the maturity of how she was able to resolve things with her mom, too. (There was an interesting discussion about the difference between a bad parent-kid relationship, and one that just had some conflict/misunderstanding. Arguably, that message could also apply to Nat and Joanne’s friendship.)
I also liked the friendships Nat was able to form on her team! They were very sweet, and some of the locker room conversations/jokes gave me flashbacks to middle school gym class.
My main issues that kept this at a 3.75 and not a 4 stars, though, was that sometimes I disliked the writing style, Nat’s lies were unbelievable enough that I’m surprised her parents didn’t have a conversation earlier(although they definitely had their suspicions), and Nat’s mom was a mildly annoying character. (I get that’s part of her arc, but some of her criticisms were comical.)
Anyhow, I adore books about swimming(gonna make a Goodreads tag, actually). My experience in the sport is very limited, but something about reading protagonists lose themselves in the water is always very soothing to me! (And something about the body positivity message clicked with me?? Don’t ask me which element it was, I still don’t know, I have basically nothing in common with the protagonist. Maybe I just needed to read this in my current state.)
I also liked the friendships Nat was able to form on her team! They were very sweet, and some of the locker room conversations/jokes gave me flashbacks to middle school gym class.
My main issues that kept this at a 3.75 and not a 4 stars, though, was that sometimes I disliked the writing style, Nat’s lies were unbelievable enough that I’m surprised her parents didn’t have a conversation earlier(although they definitely had their suspicions), and Nat’s mom was a mildly annoying character. (I get that’s part of her arc, but some of her criticisms were comical.)
Anyhow, I adore books about swimming(gonna make a Goodreads tag, actually). My experience in the sport is very limited, but something about reading protagonists lose themselves in the water is always very soothing to me! (And something about the body positivity message clicked with me?? Don’t ask me which element it was, I still don’t know, I have basically nothing in common with the protagonist. Maybe I just needed to read this in my current state.)
Read
March 6, 2024This slice of realistic fiction grabbed me by the heartstrings and refused to let go until the very last page. The story introduces us to Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, but you'll come to know her as Nat—a fiery spirit with a passion for synchronized swimming that knows no bounds.
Nat's journey isn't just about her love for the water; it's a deep dive into the complexities of growing up in a society where being thin and white is often seen as the epitome of beauty, especially in sports like synchronized swimming. Nat, however, is determined to shatter these stereotypes, armed with her unyielding spirit and a belly that rolls when she laughs. She's the embodiment of determination, proving that grace in the water isn't about your size or color, but about the passion that fuels you.
The book shines a light on diverse characters and cultures, weaving in stories of Latina and Ethiopian heritage, alongside touching representations of the LGBTQIA and gender non-conforming people. It's a testament to the beauty of diversity and the strength found in embracing who you are.
The book doesn't shy away from tough conversations. From Sheila's coming out to Nat's explorations of identity, Rivera handles each moment with care, ensuring that every reader finds a piece of themselves within the pages. It's about fighting for your dreams, even when the current seems against you, and finding your village that lifts you up. Nat's story resonated with me deeply, reminding me of the courage it takes to stand unapologetically in your truth. Rivera's storytelling is mesmerizing, crafting a world where every character, every moment feels intensely real.
Nat's journey isn't just about her love for the water; it's a deep dive into the complexities of growing up in a society where being thin and white is often seen as the epitome of beauty, especially in sports like synchronized swimming. Nat, however, is determined to shatter these stereotypes, armed with her unyielding spirit and a belly that rolls when she laughs. She's the embodiment of determination, proving that grace in the water isn't about your size or color, but about the passion that fuels you.
The book shines a light on diverse characters and cultures, weaving in stories of Latina and Ethiopian heritage, alongside touching representations of the LGBTQIA and gender non-conforming people. It's a testament to the beauty of diversity and the strength found in embracing who you are.
The book doesn't shy away from tough conversations. From Sheila's coming out to Nat's explorations of identity, Rivera handles each moment with care, ensuring that every reader finds a piece of themselves within the pages. It's about fighting for your dreams, even when the current seems against you, and finding your village that lifts you up. Nat's story resonated with me deeply, reminding me of the courage it takes to stand unapologetically in your truth. Rivera's storytelling is mesmerizing, crafting a world where every character, every moment feels intensely real.
September 9, 2023
I liked this mostly for the insight into the family, which I think is why I like a lot of middle grade. I liked that the parents both worked for this college and they were super "let's protest all the time!!!! and we are boycotting everything!" and the mom was like "you can't wear makeup or read VOgue" which i think Zadie Smith said she said to her daughter as well.
It felt very... like... basic feminist messages to say some women can like lipstick and still deserve respect but I know this is for twelve year olds so!
it's the story we always see where kids do something they aren't supposed to do and their parents find out. i just thought it was weird that like we never see her apologize to her team... we just cut to the end. like i felt like i missed a chapter. i loved the moment she has with her mom, but by the end, it felt like there were so many loose threads (did she apologize to the team? what's going on with her cousin? how does she balance everything now with her friends and practices?) that it felt so sudden
also edited to add that i really loved the body positivity stuff and thought it was lovely but the skin tone stuff just felt... kinda. not weird but maybe not fully explored? the author is light skinned and like the main character very clearly isn't. and it's mentioned a few times but not explored the same way her fatness is, and i think if maybe a darker skinned person had written it, they would've explored it more? idk
It felt very... like... basic feminist messages to say some women can like lipstick and still deserve respect but I know this is for twelve year olds so!
it's the story we always see where kids do something they aren't supposed to do and their parents find out. i just thought it was weird that like we never see her apologize to her team... we just cut to the end. like i felt like i missed a chapter. i loved the moment she has with her mom, but by the end, it felt like there were so many loose threads (did she apologize to the team? what's going on with her cousin? how does she balance everything now with her friends and practices?) that it felt so sudden
also edited to add that i really loved the body positivity stuff and thought it was lovely but the skin tone stuff just felt... kinda. not weird but maybe not fully explored? the author is light skinned and like the main character very clearly isn't. and it's mentioned a few times but not explored the same way her fatness is, and i think if maybe a darker skinned person had written it, they would've explored it more? idk
March 18, 2024
Nat figures her summer will go according to plan: she and her best friend Joanne will hang out at the pool. Joanne will read manga, Nat will earn money by betting older kids that she can beat them in swimming races, and they'll make plans for the anime con they'll attend in the fall. But everything changes when Nat sees a demonstration by the L.A. Mermaids, an artistic (formerly called synchronized) swim team. The costumes, the glitter, the coordinated moves... Nat is immediately in love, but her parents are skeptical. They're of the opinion that synchronized swimming puts too much emphasis on appearances. Nat is confident in her body: she knows she's fat, strong, and fabulous. She's passed the audition for the Mermaids, and she has some money saved up. So, she decides to lie to her parents. With the help of an older cousin, she starts attending practice, and learns how much work goes into those effortless-looking moves. But she can't keep up the lie forever...
I really loved the character building here: Nat's a great lead, and the secondary characters are all well fleshed out, with their own lives and problems. I do think the scope and duration of the lie was a little hard to believe, since Nat's parents are cast as being involved and interested in Nat's life. However, I was willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story, and I found it well-plotted and paced. Recommended to readers of middle-grade realistic fiction.
I really loved the character building here: Nat's a great lead, and the secondary characters are all well fleshed out, with their own lives and problems. I do think the scope and duration of the lie was a little hard to believe, since Nat's parents are cast as being involved and interested in Nat's life. However, I was willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story, and I found it well-plotted and paced. Recommended to readers of middle-grade realistic fiction.
December 17, 2024
My 11-year old son and I enjoyed the audiobook version of Barely Floating, a rare middle grade novel that allows its female main character to be angry. And Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, aka Nat, has a lot to be angry about, including the people around her who underestimate her strength and athleticism because she is fat. We learned a lot about synchronized swimming as a sport, which was interesting, and we both fond a lot that was relatable in this 12 year old's story. As other reviews note, this book doesn't shy away from an imperfect main character who lies a lot, even to people she loves and cares about like her best friend. But adolescence is a time to love someone while they screw up, to see the best in them even as they are walking into train-wreck mistakes, and the reader can love all of Nat, from her bravery and her compassion to her dishonesty and her anger management challenges.
At time, the book feels like it's taking on too many "issues" topics at once and falls a bit into an adult voice, but most of it felt real and relatable to my tween reader, and that's what matters most to me. Nat is a welcome character in my elementary library; there is no one like her, and I'm glad to have her join the crowd.
Recommended for upper elementary and middle school library collections.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the complimentary educator ALC.
At time, the book feels like it's taking on too many "issues" topics at once and falls a bit into an adult voice, but most of it felt real and relatable to my tween reader, and that's what matters most to me. Nat is a welcome character in my elementary library; there is no one like her, and I'm glad to have her join the crowd.
Recommended for upper elementary and middle school library collections.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the complimentary educator ALC.
February 3, 2024
3 1/2 stars
This is a big hearted middle grade novel about a Latinx girl in LA who lies to her family in order to join a synchronized swimming team. Nat is a strong girl with a huge personality but who sometimes lacks a filter. She challenges other kids to race her for money and surprises them when she wins. The money is then used to help pay her way to comicon with her best friend. Her parents are activists, but her mom is also anti-makeup and fashion which poses a challenge for fashion obsessed Nat who has her friend buy her Vogue as if it is contraband. When she sees the LA Mermaids, a local synchro team made up of girls who look a bit more like her, she immediately wants in. What lures her the most? The sparkly swim suits. But mom and dad still see the sport as one that idolizes 2 things that Nat is not - white and thin. She knows that she doesn't have the stereotypical synchronized swimmer body, but she is proud of her looks (strong marks for body positivity). After her parents veto her joining the team, she convinces her cousin to secretly shuttle her to and from. But lies always have a way of coming out at the worst time. The story shows Nat's growth and also the impact of secrets - on the person telling them, the people who need to keep them, and pretty much everyone around you. A highly unique and enjoyable middle grade addition.
This is a big hearted middle grade novel about a Latinx girl in LA who lies to her family in order to join a synchronized swimming team. Nat is a strong girl with a huge personality but who sometimes lacks a filter. She challenges other kids to race her for money and surprises them when she wins. The money is then used to help pay her way to comicon with her best friend. Her parents are activists, but her mom is also anti-makeup and fashion which poses a challenge for fashion obsessed Nat who has her friend buy her Vogue as if it is contraband. When she sees the LA Mermaids, a local synchro team made up of girls who look a bit more like her, she immediately wants in. What lures her the most? The sparkly swim suits. But mom and dad still see the sport as one that idolizes 2 things that Nat is not - white and thin. She knows that she doesn't have the stereotypical synchronized swimmer body, but she is proud of her looks (strong marks for body positivity). After her parents veto her joining the team, she convinces her cousin to secretly shuttle her to and from. But lies always have a way of coming out at the worst time. The story shows Nat's growth and also the impact of secrets - on the person telling them, the people who need to keep them, and pretty much everyone around you. A highly unique and enjoyable middle grade addition.
Read
March 9, 2024Fans of STARFISH by Lisa Fipps will want to check out BARELY FLOATING by Lilliam Rivera.
Sassy, feisty Natalia "Nat" is proud of her strong, athletic body. She loves swimming and will challenge anyone. In fact, she uses her ability to earn extra money to finance her interest in anime and to treat her friend to the latest anime videos.
Nat finds a new interest when a local synchronized swim team performs at the pool she visits every day. She is sure this is her calling, but when she approaches her parents, they are less than thrilled. Her mother doesn't like the fancy make-up and costumes and calls it no better than a "pageant in the water."
Nat can't believe they refuse to let her join the team. That's when the lies begin.
Using her own money and convincing her cousin to drive her to the pool where the team practices, Nat tries out and makes the team. It is hard work, but Nat loves it and learns that she is very good at it. The lies mount as she deceives her parents and begins to alienate her best friend.
Author Lilliam Rivera shows readers how determination and courage can help make a dream come true, but she also details the sacrifices made in the bargain. Nat is both brave and reckless as she dares to show everyone exactly what she can do.
Sassy, feisty Natalia "Nat" is proud of her strong, athletic body. She loves swimming and will challenge anyone. In fact, she uses her ability to earn extra money to finance her interest in anime and to treat her friend to the latest anime videos.
Nat finds a new interest when a local synchronized swim team performs at the pool she visits every day. She is sure this is her calling, but when she approaches her parents, they are less than thrilled. Her mother doesn't like the fancy make-up and costumes and calls it no better than a "pageant in the water."
Nat can't believe they refuse to let her join the team. That's when the lies begin.
Using her own money and convincing her cousin to drive her to the pool where the team practices, Nat tries out and makes the team. It is hard work, but Nat loves it and learns that she is very good at it. The lies mount as she deceives her parents and begins to alienate her best friend.
Author Lilliam Rivera shows readers how determination and courage can help make a dream come true, but she also details the sacrifices made in the bargain. Nat is both brave and reckless as she dares to show everyone exactly what she can do.
October 31, 2023
12-year old Nat is fierce and accepting of being a short, heavy-set Latina next to her more glamours mother. She is big on making bets she can outswim anyone at the pool - and she does - and looking through glamour and fashion magazines her best friend, Joanne, gets for her since her mother doesn't agree with them. When the L.A. Mermaids perform a synchronized swimming routing, Nat is hooked but her parents say no because her mom, a community civics leader, doesn't believe in the view on beauty over everything else. Nat won't be stopped, she never is, and joins the team and keeps the secret from her parents. Things get harder, however, when she start losing touch with Joanne and might miss their yearly comic con adventure and the secrets are bound to come out. The book focuses on Nat, the struggles she faces to try to be who she is, even when that gets challenged, but as she is known to do, she won't give up. A strong book about accepting yourself and Nat's acceptance of her body no matter what others say is heart-warming and a lesson many need to learn.
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