Deep Water

By Jamie Sumner

A marathon swim tests Tully's resolve to bring her mom back, but danger looms in the deep waters.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 983 ratings

224 pages· 22,450 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Tully Birch embarks on a daring marathon swim across Lake Tahoe, hoping to set a record and win back her absent mother's attention. With her best friend Arch by her side, Tully faces the physical and emotional challenges of the 'Godfather swim.' As memories resurface and the waters grow treacherous, Tully must decide whether to push on and risk everything or abandon her quest for safety. Will her determination lead to triumph or tragedy?

From the publisher

“Readers will feel every wave of Tully’s emotions as she risks everything to try to get her mom’s attention. A powerful novel in verse.” –Lisa Fipps, author of Printz Honor book Starfish An impactful, gripping middle grade novel in verse from acclaimed author Jamie Sumner that spans one girl’s marathon swim over twelve miles and six hours, calling her mom back home with every stroke. Six hours. One marathon swim. That’s all Tully Birch needs to get her life straightened out. With the help of her best friend, Arch, Tully braves the waters of Lake Tahoe to break the record for the youngest person ever to complete the famous “Godfather swim.” She wants to achieve something no one in the world has done, because if she does, maybe, just maybe, her mom will come back. The swim starts off well–heart steady, body loose, Arch in charge of snacks as needed. But for Tully, all that time alone with her thoughts allows memories to surface. And in the silence of deep waters, sadness can sink you. When the swim turns dangerous, Tully fights for her survival. Does she keep going and risk her own safety and Arch’s? Or does she quit to save them both, even if it means giving up hope that her mother will return?

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