The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan
As a teacher and a parent of a young teenage daughter,I can happily recommend this book for Junior Cycle students.It deals with the very relevant theme of moving to a new country and trying to settle there,making friends,going to school,learning to communicate effectively in the new language etc.In this poetic little book,Kasienka,the protagonist,has to deal with her parents’ separation,her Father’s betrayal of the family and her Mother’s depression. She also has to learn to live with poverty and how to deal with bullying at school.She finds release and friendship when she starts swimming competitively at the local pool.A beautifully written short tale which sheds light on some very relevant topics of our day.
(Review by Mary T. Co.Clare, Teacher and Mother of teenage daughters)