Head Above Water [Hardcover]

S. L. Rottman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999

For a 16-year-old high school junior, Skye has a lot on her plate. With her mother holding down two jobs to support the family since Skye's father left years ago, Skye is given the primary responsibility of caring for her older brother Sunny who has Down's syndrome. Skye's relationship with her brother constantly challenges and sometimes frustrates her. All the while, Skye is trying to maintain her 3.5 GPA, and she is training intensely to qualify for the state championships as a member of the high school swim team, in hopes of earning a college scholarship. She is also struggling to come to terms with her feelings for her boyfriend, who wants more from her than she is ready to give. As Skye attempts to face these challenges, she grows up and gains new perspective into what is truly important in her life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

High school junior Skye Johnson faces so many challenges that it's no wonder she has trouble keeping her head above water. She must knock some time off her personal best in the 200 freestyle in order to qualify for the state swimming competition, she's being pursued by a hunky football star, and she bears the brunt of the responsibility for the care of Sunny, her 19-year-old Down syndrome brother while her single mom is at work. Unfortunately, like the protagonist, the author tackles too much here. Scenes of Skye swimming and her interactions with Sunny are the most fully developed, but a subplot about Skye's boyfriend's attempt to rape her gets superficial treatment. Further complications arise when Sunny wants to take swimming lessons and ends up qualifying for the Special Olympics, scheduled for the same day as the state championship. Only a glimpse of the strength of the adult/protagonist interactions that made Rottman's Hero so compelling is evident in Skye's interactions with her mother and her swim coach. Consequently, the conclusion is too quick and tidy a wrap-up of many complex issues. Ages 12-16.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Skye, a high school junior from a single-parent home, is largely responsible for the care of her older brother Sunny, who has Down's syndrome. She strives to maintain a straight-A average in her schoolwork and is determined to qualify for "States," the statewide swim competition. When the school's football star, Mike Banner, deems her worthy to date, Skye's already complex world becomes almost overwhelming. Responding to pressure from him to spend more time together, she ditches her brother and uses her newfound freedom to meet with her boyfriend. Predictably, he pressures her into sex and finally forces himself on her. She narrowly escapes, but the angry boyfriend continues to badger her and the confrontation between the two ultimately costs her the opportunity to go to States. In the end, Skye begins to mature and to think for herself. Unfortunately, the conclusion is a little too neat. Although the protagonist faces myriad problems, they are all resolved happily. Still, this is a realistic portrayal of dating and of a teenager with Down's syndrome.
Joanne K. Cecere, Highland High School, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers; 1st edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561451851
• ISBN-13: 978-1561451852
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,404,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In first grade, I made my mother very nervous when I told her that I was never going to learn to read because reading was stupid! Fortunately for me, my mother was determined to change my mind. She took the time to read with me every night until she got me addicted. By the time I was in fourth grade, I was the kid in the back of the class, trying to hide my book under the table so I could read instead of listening to the teacher! I believe that anyone can become an avid reader; it just takes the right book at the right time to light that fire.

Although I was born in Georgia, my parents moved back to CO when I was two, so I don't remember much about Georgia and I consider myself a Coloradan. I attended Colorado State University, and earned an English degree with teaching certification. I taught for seven years before taking time off to stay home with my children. My first novel, Hero, was written specifically for my students who hated reading. I love spending time with teens, and that's why I write for and about them. To an extent, I'm technologically challenged, which makes writing for teens harder each year--I haven't figured out how to text and the IM slang still sometimes messes me up. But I try! This year, I added teaching internet classes and virtual classroom visits to my list of activities. Rafting, skiing, reading, swimming, throwing pots, watching movies, and camping are just a few of my other interests.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Threes a Charm, October 12, 1999

By 

Caren Cowan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Head Above Water (Hardcover)

I have read all three of R. L. Rottmans books. Head Above Water was very well written and dealt with the High School pressures of sex and dealing with personal emotions. Skye Johnson has her head screwed on straight. She is working towards qualifying for State Swimming Championships and the challenges of being responsible for her Down syndrome older brother, who is also a Junior in High School. Talk about massive frustration. This book was hard to put down. Thank you S. L. Rottman, I can't wait for your next book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, July 26, 2000

By 

Melanie (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Head Above Water (Hardcover)

This book excellently displays a teenagers struggle with everything going on in their life. Skye is a junior at her highschool and is struggling with taking care of her brother, Sunny, who has Down Syndrome. She also sturuggles for time with her personal life because her mom works two jobs to support their family. Her father left when she was a kid and they've been on their own ever since. Once Skye starts to get a plan so she could spend more time with her boyfriend, she starts lying to her mother. The lies build up and she learns the hardway how it well all blow up in her face. She is also giving her all everyday after school to make state for her school swimming team. The portrayal of an everyday battle with your own needs and the needs of others is perfectly mastered in this smartly written, teenage-savvy book. I highly recommend this book along with other S. L. Rottman books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Blkosiner's Book Blog, September 20, 2011

By 

brandileigh2003 "brandileigh2003" (Holly Springs, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Head Above Water (Paperback)

This is a story about a swimmer, a daughter, a sister and a friend--but most of all it is a journey of Skye accepting and learning who she is.
I connected with aSkye, and even if I haven't been in some of her unique roles as a caretaker to her brother with Down's, and I've never had any experience with competitive swimming, her struggle to find her place, and really appreciate what life has to offer even in the midst of hard times makes for a wonderful story.
The way she handles things that life throws at her is understandable. She has real emotions and we get to experience them with her. What I really appreciate though is how she ultimately learns from it, and though she's not perfect, the next time she's faced with similar, she is better able to respond. I know that in my own life I've refused to learn and grow, but Skye wasn't like that and we got to see her progress and hopefully learn from it.
This is an older book, but I think that it definitely deserves a chance to shine again with new readers.