Set in a tiny fishing village of Southern Louisiana, Swimming Against the Storm effortlessly captures the slow, humid atmosphere of the bayou, the tidal rhythms of life built on shrimp fishing and the vagaries of a climate that can lull you into a false sense of security and then strike without warning like a swamp ’gator.

Close sisters Avery and Eliza grew up exploring this unique and beautiful wetland and know its dangers only too well, but when rising sea levels threaten to destroy their home, they must team up with two friends and venture deep into the swampland on a secret mission to save their community. Avery becomes lost in the depths of the swamp and the children must find her before a tropical storm makes landfall.

This is a compelling page-turner with short, punchy chapters, cleverly crafted for maximum impact. Brimming with mystery and suspense, this captivating survival-against-the-odds adventure is both a celebration of sisterly love and a saga of friendship and courage guaranteed to take hold of the reader like a giant river eel with a crawfish.

Very highly recommended for those who love nailbiting adventures, aged 9+.

Athina Clarke is the children’s book buyer at Readings Malvern.