Get Set Swim [Hardcover]

Jeannine Atkins (Author), Hector V. Lee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up

A young Puerto Rican girl learns an important lesson about pride and victory from her mother.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4AA winning story of competition, perseverance, and pride in accomplishment. Jessenia's swim team is slated for its first away meet and she's nervous. Accompanying the girls on the bus, Jessenia's mother reminisces about her homeland of Puerto Rico, its brilliant blue skies, the expansiveness of the ocean. During her first competition, Jessenia loses concentration when she recalls her mother's comments and does not win first place. However, with her coach's encouragement and her mother's support, she finds the strength to win her last race. A gift from her mother brings her thoughts back to Puerto Rico and her heritage. With increased confidence in her abilities, Jessenia vows, "We'll be back!" The realistic, double-page watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, predominantly in warm blues and greens, depict a multicultural swim team and their African-American coach. The actions of the swimmers, the cheering crowd, and the closeness of Jessenia's family are aptly portrayed. A good choice that nicely fills the void of picture books about girls involved in team sports.AMaryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. Jessenia, her Mami, and her brother, Luis, are off to the suburbs to watch Jessenia swim at a meet. Jessenia is intimidated by the big new suburban pool and the fact that the other team is on a winning streak. Her team is behind, but she manages to win her last match. Rather confusingly, however (especially for those unfamiliar with swim meets), her team still loses. That's a disappointment, but Jessenia has experienced team spirit as well as her own personal success. Jessenia's story is juxtaposed against the memories Mami has of her home in Puerto Rico; as Jessenia swims, the blue of the water reminds her of the expanse of ocean Mami has often described. The well-executed artwork is strong in both design and color, and conveys both the trepidation and excitement that Jessenia feels as she approaches and participates in the meet. A good choice for libraries looking for books in which a Latino family is center stage. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (January 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880000660
• ISBN-13: 978-1880000663
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,268,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeannine Atkins writes books for children and teens. Her most recent book is Borrowed Names: Poems about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C. J. Walker, Marie Curie and their Daughters. She teaches Children's Literature in the English Department at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. You can learn more on her website at www.Jeannineatkins.com or read her blog, View from a Window Seat, at http://jeannineatkins.livejournal.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Aquatic "class warfare"?, January 5, 2002

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Get Set Swim (Hardcover)

Being of Puerto Rican heritage myself, I was excited to read "Get Set! Swim!", a children's book which combines a story by Jeannine Atkins with illustrations by Hector Viveros Lee. The book is about Jessenia, a young girl from the city who is on a swim team. Her mother, who reminisces about her own girlhood in Puerto Rico, is very supportive of Jessenia's athletic activity.

Unfortunately, there is a pronounced "class warfare" element to the book that I disliked. The girls compete against a suburban team. The suburban girls are never developed as real characters; they seem to be nameless symbols of class privelege. The urban girl characters complain about the unfairness of competing with these suburban girls who have better houses and a better pool.

Because there is no interaction between the two teams outside of the water, I found the story unsatisfying. Atkins certainly raises some relevant issues, but seems unwilling to deal with them at a more meaningful level.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Story teaching about winning and losing, June 23, 2000

By 

Andrew Gill - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get Set Swim (Hardcover)

A nice story about a child going to a swim meet. She is nervous but participates nevertheless. It teaches about winning and losing and with a hopeful note at the end of doing better next time.

Especially recommend it for young children joining a swim team or learning to swim.

4.0 out of 5 stars A great combination of Latino Heritage and Self-Esteem, June 19, 2000

By 

Natasha Henry - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get Set Swim (Hardcover)

This book is a definite page turner for all adolescents. It establishes the act of courage and demonstrates a positive result when one stays focused. The illustration is parallel to the vivid narration that is used throughout the text.