Breathe and Count Back from Ten

A Pura Belpré Honor Book * A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book for Teens

In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body.

Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body.

Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor.

She decides it's time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her--the truth about her own body.

Author: Natalia Sylvester
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: 05/10/2022
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.9lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.50w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9780358536864
Audience: Young Adult

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.3
Point Value: 12
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 518369 / Breathe and Count Back from Ten


Award: Pura Belpre Award - Honor Book
Award: Schneider Family Book Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2022
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 05/01/2022
Booklist 04/15/2022 pg. 48
Publishers Weekly 05/23/2022
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2022 pg. 100
School Library Journal 09/02/2022 pg. 1

About the Author

Natalia Sylvester is the author Running, her YA debut, as well as two novels for adults. Born in Lima, Peru, she grew up in Miami, Central Florida, and South Texas, and received a BFA from the University of Miami. She currently lives in Austin, Texas. Look for her at nataliasylvester.com and follow her on Twitter @NataliaSylv.