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HEAD ABOVE WATER
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Written by
S. L. Rottman
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Hardcover: $14.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-185-2
Total Pages: 224
Size: 6 x 9
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Paperback: $6.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-238-5
Total Pages: 224
Size: 5 x 7-1/2
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Young Adult, ages 12-16/Fiction/Sports
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S. L. Rottman is a former teacher and the author of several young adult novels. A graduate of Colorado State University, Rottman lives in Montana.You can visit S. L. Rottman's website at: slrottman.net/
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Accelerated Reader & Reading Counts Tests:
Reading Counts Test #: Q21186
Reading Counts Level: 6.7
AR Quiz#: 31899
AR Reading Level: 3.8
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FOR A 16-YEAR-OLD high school junior, Skye has a lot on her plate. With her mother holding down two jobs to support the family since Skye's father left years ago, Skye is given the primary responsibility of caring for her older brother Sunny who has Down syndrome.
Skye's relationship with her brother constantly challenges and sometimes frustrates her. All the while, Skye is trying to maintain her 3.5 GPA, and she is training intensely to qualify for the state championships as a member of the high school swim team, in hopes of earning a college scholarship. She is also struggling to come to terms with her feelings for her boyfriend, who wants more from her than she is ready to give.
As Skye attempts to face these challenges, she grows up and gains new perspective into what is truly important in her life.
Click here for an informative teacher's guide to Head Above Water.
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Reviews
"This is an involving and often suspenseful read. Skye is doing her best to keep afloat, trying to balance her desires and her obligations, and readers will empathize with her conflicts. Her tumultuous relationship with Sunny, a mixture of love, irritation, pride, and guilt, is believably depicted, and so are her reactions to Mike. The swimming scenes are also realistically describe; the author is a high school swim coach and English teacher, and she conveys well the hard work and excitement of the sport."Kliatt "...through it all, Skye remains a sympathetic, multidimensional character whose emotional growth is compelling and believable." Booklist "...believable characters and realistic teenage social situations."Foreword
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Awards
* 2000 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
* 2000-2001 TAYSHAS High School Reading List
* 2008 YALSA Popular Paperbacks
* Finalist, 2000 Colorado Book Award, Young Adult category
* Finalist, 2000 Oklahoma Book Award
* Master List, 2002 Kentucky Bluegrass Award
* Nominee, 2000 YALSA (ALA) Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers
* Nominee, 2002 Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award
* Nominee, 2003 Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award
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