Head Above Water
by S. L. Rottman
by S. L. Rottman
HEAD ABOVE WATER by S. L. Rottman
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 4/03
Publisher: Peachtree
Reviewed by: Grandma Bev
Rating: 4 Stars
Skye Johnson, a junior in high school, is an excellent swimmer, and is training to qualify for State. The state swimming
competition could net a college scholarship for Skye. Her older brother, Sunny, has Down Syndrome. Since her divorced
mother must work more than one job to support the family, she is away from home most of the time, and it is Skye's job to
watch out for Sunny. He's a great kid, always cheerful, but he does require a lot of time from Skye as she makes sure he
does his homework, and manages to get home from school, along with fixing him meals. There is just not much time for
anything else...just Sunny, school, and swimming.
Then Skye meets Mike and her priorities begin to change. Sunny wants to learn to swim: he adores his sister, and wants to
be just like her, and he wants Skye to teach him how. Life is frustrating, and Skye finds herself being dishonest with her
mother in order to find time for herself. She had promised to give Sunny swimming lessons, but instead signs him up for
classes so that she can spend time with Mike - only to find out that he may not be the nice guy that she thought he was.
Her life is further complicated when Sunny qualifies for Special Olympics, and his meet is at the same time as Skye's state
championship swim. Skye's emotions are on a roller coaster, and her pain and frustration had me crying and then cheering
for her victories.
Rottman is a master at characterization and plotting. The author brings to life the reality and rewards of caring for someone
with a learning disability in a fast-paced story that is hard to put down.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 4/03
Publisher: Peachtree
Reviewed by: Grandma Bev
Rating: 4 Stars
Skye Johnson, a junior in high school, is an excellent swimmer, and is training to qualify for State. The state swimming
competition could net a college scholarship for Skye. Her older brother, Sunny, has Down Syndrome. Since her divorced
mother must work more than one job to support the family, she is away from home most of the time, and it is Skye's job to
watch out for Sunny. He's a great kid, always cheerful, but he does require a lot of time from Skye as she makes sure he
does his homework, and manages to get home from school, along with fixing him meals. There is just not much time for
anything else...just Sunny, school, and swimming.
Then Skye meets Mike and her priorities begin to change. Sunny wants to learn to swim: he adores his sister, and wants to
be just like her, and he wants Skye to teach him how. Life is frustrating, and Skye finds herself being dishonest with her
mother in order to find time for herself. She had promised to give Sunny swimming lessons, but instead signs him up for
classes so that she can spend time with Mike - only to find out that he may not be the nice guy that she thought he was.
Her life is further complicated when Sunny qualifies for Special Olympics, and his meet is at the same time as Skye's state
championship swim. Skye's emotions are on a roller coaster, and her pain and frustration had me crying and then cheering
for her victories.
Rottman is a master at characterization and plotting. The author brings to life the reality and rewards of caring for someone
with a learning disability in a fast-paced story that is hard to put down.