Swimming Toward a Dream

Written by Reem Faruqi · Illustrated by Asma Enayeh

A swimmer's Olympic dream faces war and perilous seas.

4.3 Goodreads · 122 ratings

40 pages· 807 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud· ~600L

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Yusra Mardini dreams of Olympic glory, but war in Syria shatters her world. Forced to flee, she and her sister embark on a perilous sea journey. When their refugee boat's motor fails, Yusra dives into the water, swimming for survival. Her story of courage and determination inspires, as she battles waves and adversity, driven by hope and the pursuit of her dreams. Will Yusra's resolve carry her to safety and beyond, to the Olympic stage she longs for? Dive into this tale of resilience and heroism.

From the publisher

Growing up in Damascus, the pool was Yusra Mardini’s happy place. She learned to swim before she could walk. And with swimming came a dream–to compete in the Olympic games. But when war came to Syria, Yusra’s home–and her pool–were no longer safe. Yusra and her sister set out on a harrowing journey, crossing the sea in search of safety. In the inspirational tale that follows, Yusra’s courageous spirit shines. Crammed on a too-small refugee boat, disaster strikes when the boat’s motor breaks! Scared but determined, Yusra plunges into the water and starts swimming. Infused with hope, Yusra’s story encourages readers to pursue their own dreams, revealing how she met waves of danger with strength and perseverance. One breath at a time. Readers will dive into this courageous tale of an athlete, refugee, and hero who inspired the world with her resolve to pursue her Olympic dream.

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