Deep Water

Gr 3-7–Twelve-year-old Tully is set to make history as the youngest person to swim the challenging 12-mile “Godfather Swim” in Lake Tahoe. But her motivation isn’t just about the athletic feat. She’s hoping this achievement will catch her depressed mother’s attention, coaxing her to return home after leaving the family. Tully’s been training in secret, hidden from her father with the support of her best friend, Arch. Now, poised for the swim, the question looms: Will she complete it or will fate intervene? Told through verse, this quick read captures the emotional turmoil of a young girl grappling with her mother’s abandonment. As Tully pushes ahead in the water, she reflects on the past, trying to understand what might have driven her mother away. Each mile not only propels the race forward but delves deeper into Tully’s life story, drawing readers into her struggles and emotions.