Up for Air

By Laurie Morrison

A young swimmer's quest for belonging leads to unexpected challenges and self-discovery.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,302 ratings

304 pages

$9.99Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Thirteen-year-old Annabelle excels in the pool but struggles in school. Invited to join a high school swim team, she gains new friends and attention from an older boy. As she strives to fit in and help the team succeed, a prank gone wrong leaves her isolated and unable to swim. Annabelle must confront who she is without her talent. Will she find her true place and self-worth? This heartwarming tale explores the turbulent waters of adolescence, friendship, and identity.

From the publisher

Dive into Laurie Morrison’s Up for Air, a middle-grade novel about competitive swimming, changing friendships, and finding your place. Thirteen-year-old Annabelle struggles in school, no matter how hard she tries. But as soon as she dives into the pool, she’s unstoppable. She’s the fastest girl on the middle school swim team, and when she’s asked to join the high school team over the summer, everything changes. Suddenly, she’s got new friends, and a high school boy starts treating her like she’s somebody special–and Annabelle thinks she’ll finally stand out in a good way. She’ll do anything to fit in and help the team make it to the Labor Day Invitational, even if it means blowing off her old friends. But after a prank goes wrong, Annabelle is abandoned by the older boy and can’t swim. Who is she without the one thing she’s good at? Heartwarming and relatable, Up for Air is a story about where we find our self-worth. “Morrison, a former teacher, realistically captures the challenges of middle school–complicated family dynamics, volatile friendships, and first love–in this story about a girl struggling to find where she belongs.” –Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

At a glance