Book Review: Breathe and Count Back from Ten (releasing May 10th, 2022)
[ID: A pink and blue book with an illustration of a Latina teen swimming with scars on her hip and shadow in the shape of a mermaid underneath her. The book sits on a gray wooden floor surrounded by pink carnations, a silver key, and a white and pink conch shell.]
Thank you so much to Clarion Teen and Netgalley for the opportunity for an early look at one of my most anticipated reads of 2022!
“In the water, chlorine tastes like peace and movement becomes freedom. Nobody notices my limp or scars, nobody stares as I move past them. Gravity is so much kinder here. Water is home.”
BREATHE AND COUNT BACK TO TEN by Natalia Sylvester is an upcoming YA contemporary releasing May 10th about a Peruvian American teen with hip dysplasia who auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park, all while navigating first love and learning to feel safe in her own body.
I am OBSESSED with this book. Natalia Sylvester has crafted an absorbing story about disability, growing up, the immigrant experience, bodily autonomy, finding love, and finding yourself. She has captured something eternal and moving in this book. I can’t tell you how many times I felt seen as a fellow disabled woman. I highlighted so many passages of her beautiful writing and wanted to hug the book to my chest.
Veronica’s journey is riveting, emotional, and feels completely real. I was so invested in her story and her conflicts with her family. The element of the mermaid theme park was also fun and immersive. I predict this book will be THE read of the summer. I highly recommend you preorder now for when you’re next longing to run off to the pool. You won’t regret it!
Content warnings: sexism, ableism, sexual harassment, a fade to black sex scene.