Swimming into Trouble (Julia on the Go #1)

Nine-year-old Julia Nam discovered her love of swimming when her parents opened their café, Sushi on the Go!, at Mountainview Community Center. Now, while her parents work, Julia practices with her junior swim team, the Vipers, and looks forward to one day taking part in regional competitions. In the meantime, she endeavors to beat her personal best swim time during the team’s upcoming Personal Best Day. But a week before PBD, Julia develops an ear infection and must keep her ear dry for 10 days. This development—and the resulting disappointment—is made worse when she learns that nine-year-olds can now compete at regionals, but only if they post strong times on PBD. Despite her parents, coach, and friends’ attempts to help her recover, Julia is determined to compete. Readers will cheer for Julia as she pursues her goals and learns how to be a team player. Julia’s passion for swimming is infectious and palpable, as are her frustrations surrounding her limitations and her perception that others do not understand her. Via unadorned prose, Ahn (Krista Kim-Bap) deftly portrays the struggles Julia’s East Asian immigrant parents faced in establishing their business and how adversity led to the family connecting with their community, who offer a helping hand and loving support throughout. Ages 7–10. (Feb.)