Goldfish

After a young swimmer’s dreams come to a screeching halt, she finds new, unlikely (boy) friends and a side of herself that she didn’t know existed, in this hilarious YA debut.

Louise Brown dreams of qualifying for the Olympics. Her swimming times are well above her fellow swimmers. And then she fails miserably. As in dead last.

Lou doesn’t really know who she is now. Her days at school are spent being ignored by her sister and teased by popular girls. Then Lou finds herself agreeing to coach three popular boys–one of whom she clicks with–who are training to compete as synchronized swimmers.

Together the boys and Lou form a unique friendship (once they get past that whole ignoring-her-in-the-halls thing) and are hopeful that they can nab a chance at stardom.

Comedian Nat Luurtsema has created a young adult novel that is both funny and deeply meaningful, a tale of what happens when everything you thought you ever wanted disappears, leaving you to find a way to keep your head above water.

Praise for Goldish:

Filled with slapstick antics, this lighthearted story of 15-year-old Louise Brown, a down-on-her-luck swimmer, deserves to make a splash with readers. –Publishers Weekly

A fun story with well-rounded characters whom readers will root for. –School Library Journal

Lou’s voice is irreverent and self-deprecating. –Horn Book

This story is excellent at illustrating self-reliance and the power of friendship. A welcome addition to any middle or high school fiction collection, Goldfish proves that talent does not define a person and helping others is worth more than gold medals. This book will appeal to all readers. –VOYA

Readers will root for Lou as she realizes that failure isn’t the end of the world. –Booklist