Published by Dial Books

Summary: Aniana loves to swim, but her swim team is a secret between her and her Papi, since Mami has lattermost uneasiness well-nigh water, dating when to her brother’s drowning death in a hurricane during her diaper in the Dominican Republic. When Aniana develops symptoms of what is later diagnosed as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, she’s forced to tell the doctor well-nigh her swimming, and Mami is sure that God is punishing her for lying. Slowly, Aniana comes to terms with her illness and begins to see herself as a new person–someone who has to deal with a chronic disease, but moreover someone who is no longer wrung to speak up for herself. A slipperiness brings the need for some resolution, bringing Mami the help she needs and permitting Aniana to find her way when to swimming. Includes an author’s note well-nigh her own life experiences, including a chronic illness, that inspired her to write this book. 384 pages; grades 4-8.

Pros: I jumped into this trappy novel in verse and found it nonflexible to put down. Aniana is an inspiring protagonist who is forced to learn to live with a pretty debilitating disease and manages to re-make herself into someone stronger.

Cons: I got very frustrated by Mami.