Waving Not Drowning

by Rosie Rushton

Three teenagers, all alike in misery, but in nothing else. One is boiling over with anger, grief, confusion and contrition as he relives his abandonment by his mother and the death of the little sister left in his (7 year old) care. The next has a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer's, but does not realise, and so spends all his waking hours worrying about what she might be up to next. The third is the daughter of a successful business woman and a heart-throb soap actor, who are constantly at war with each other, while attempting to present a happy, united and quite bogus family picture to the world. Their worlds collide when disaster strikes at the annual fair.

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Rosie Rushton began her career as a feature writer for a local paper. Staying Cool, Surviving School was her first book, published by Piccadilly Press in 1993. After writing another non-fiction title, You’re My Best Friend, I Hate You! (available from Puffin), Rosie turned to fiction.

The Leehampton series

Best Friends
Best Friends Together (1998)
Best Friends Getting Sorted (1999)
Best Friends in Love (1999)

What A Week series

21st century Austen
The Secrets of Love (2005)
Summer of Secrets (2007)
Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams (2008)
Love, Lies and Lizzie (2009)
Echoes of Love (2010)
Whatever Love Is (2012)

Other books
Staying Cool, Surviving School (1993)
You're My Best Friend - I Hate You! (1994)
Poppy (1996)
Olivia (1997)
Sophie (1998)
Melissa (1998)
Jessica (2000)
Life Line (1999)
PS He’s Mine (2000)
Break Point (2001)
Tell Me I’m OK, really (2001)
Last Seen Wearing Trainers (2002)
All Change! (2000)
Fall Out! (2002)
Waving Not Drowning (2003)
Friends, Enemies and Other Tiny Problems (2003)

Reviews

[Marmoladka · Rating 3 out of 5]

08.05.2025
miała potencjał mogła być lepsza i dłuższa
3/5✨

[Knyga be viršelio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nuobodi.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai beaucoup apprécié le fait qu'un livre jeunesse aborde des thèmes importants comme le harcèlement scolaire, la maladie notamment l'Alzheimer, l'adoption, les relations familiales... Il n'y a pas de tabou et ça peut aider le lecteur adolescent à décomplexer voire déculpabiliser de ses pensées.
Pour moi, le point négatif est la fin. Je la trouve assez rapide et j'aurais aimŕ davantage de développement sur la mort de Maddy, l'évolution de la relation Fee/Jérémy mais surtout, percer le mystère de l'accident des parents de Jérémy.
Malgré le fait que ce roman soit assez court, on s'attache très facilement aux personnages et à leur histoire singulière. Histoire tendre et touchante qui aborde certaines épreuves de la vie avec lucidité.

[roplys · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t seem realistic enough — some events were unrealistic and also dialogues involving Lyall seemed off and unnatural. In addition, there were three separate stories of struggling teens (Jay’s, Lyall’s and Fiona’s) and Jay’s and Fiona’s story merged well, however, Lyall’s story doesn’t really have anything to do with Jay and Fiona.

[Nele · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I really didn't get what was going on... But as the characters problems were described in more detail, it was all very sad. In the end I almoust cried two times. I hope that most people live better lives than thoose teenagers.

[Ruchi Talati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow book. It not a kind of weekend read. Reading once is OK, but definitely not recommended book.

[Milena Dominaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't understand all of these coments, this book was really deep and touching, about teenagers problems, it was really easy to read and I dont understand what are ya'll talkin' about

[Daiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆3.8

[Mmm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really touching and cleverly put together. I especially loved lyalls story (well apart from the dead and dying). My school librarian said it maybe for 15year old teen and older, but I think it's just a awesome book for anyone and everyone( unless your really emotional, you'll cry!). Just seriously read it , you'll love it!

[hafsakbytheway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago and I remember finding it very compelling and it's really not forgettable. So much so that it popped up in my head for the billionth time and I figured I might as well write a review. I might reread it to write a better review x