The Art of Not Breathing

Alexander debuts with a raw and sensitive novel about loss. During the five years since Elsie's twin brother, Eddie, drowned in the North Sea off Scotland's Black Isle, Elsie and her family have been doing everything they can to escape reality: Elsie's mother drinks, her father is never home, older brother Dillon develops an eating disorder, and Elsie isolates herself. Elsie also endlessly relives the day Eddie died, wondering what more she could have done, until she meets Tay McKenzie. He teaches Elsie to freedive (diving without a breathing apparatus), and Elsie begins to remember the "few black spots" of that day when she is underwater. The more Elsie recalls, the more she realizes that her family and friends have been hiding secrets. Alexander movingly traces the motions of family members trying to piece their lives back together while dealing with personal demons. Candidly written and balanced by notes of humor throughout, Elsie's journey to find the truth shows just how far she's willing to go to bring her family back from the depths of tragedy. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. Agent: Hellie Ogden, Janklow & Nesbit. (Apr.)