Swimming to the Moon
Bee stumbles through life in her stripy socks with her head in the clouds, doing her very best to keep out of the way of her bickering parents and avoid the bendy tap dancing freak Crystal Kelly - who makes her life a misery. But when Crystal double-dares her to volunteer for a sponsored swim in honour of her great grandmother Beatrix's memory, Bee can't back down. Even though she is terrified of water and cannot swim!
Then new boy Moon-Star gallops to Bee's rescue on his horse and takes her to meet Old Alice, who lives in a beautiful painted wagon. As Bee enters this new world, her life is changed for ever.
Finally she has an ally. Down by the promise tree the new friends make a pact - Moon Star will teach Bee to swim if Bee will teach him to read. They spit on their hands and shake on their vow and a beautiful friendship begins.
Awards
Shortlisted for the Dudley Childrens book award and runner up for the Harrow junior book award
Reviews
“Jane Elson has crafted a truly special story about overcoming fears, dealing with grief and the power of friendship. A wonderfully empathetic and moving read... ”
“Another brilliant book from the wonderfully talented Jane Elson”
“I loved this book, the chapter structures, the language, the character development, the figure-of-eight shaped village, and most of all, Bee, as she gains in confidence under the supportive eye of those who show her they care.”
“...gripping story with dramatic moments leading to an intense, heart-stopping climax”
“Warm and dreamy with just the right amount of quirk for young readers to identify with if they feel like outsiders”
“Fantastically inspirational stuff about friendships and growing up.”
“Swimming to the Moon has it all. Cleverly written in first person, characters leap from the pages as real (and wildly imaginative) as can be ... A great story with fine structure, wonderful characters and a warm happy ending”
“They try to imprison us but they have failed- we are free spirits. Come shake out your pretty red hair in the moonlight.
Swimming to the Moon is so delightful and charming it made my teeth hurt but I loved every second of it. It’s a wonderful middle grade novel, full of sweetness, friendship and bravery, whilst also dealing with bigger issues such as death, grief and finding your place in a world that doesn’t think you should be yourself. It’s an absolute perfect book for younger reader.
There is so much magic, nature, and whimsy throughout the novel that I can’t imagine anyone not liking it-it speaks to the child in everyone, the lover of nature, and believer of magic and for children everywhere. ”