Review
"Bossley manages to mix nice, non-technical descriptions of synchro moves and some tense competitive moments in a story that is mostly about the give and take of friendship." (Cathy Macdonald Daily News )
"Conceived as a comic novel, it retains a wonderful light touch while exploring issues of competitiveness, jealousy and the importance of friendship.
...
Bossley is well on her way to mastering her craft -- and that's not just my opinion." (Ken McGoogan Calgary Herald )
"A fun, fact-filled novel of synchronized swimming, friendship, jealousy, and family relations... A good sports novel for girls." (Canadian Materials )
"Sports stories featuring young women are not commonplace, and as such they are needed, but this is not the only reason to pick up Breathing not Required. This short novel about synchronized swimming is briskly paced and readable, with believable characters, and a simple but involving plot." (Fred Boer Quill & Quire )
"Breathing Not Required is a fast-paced and entertaining exploration of the destructive effects of excessive competitiveness. Recommended." (Kathy Williams Canadian Children's Literature )
"...a good read... It is fast-paced and interesting and readers will learn a lot about synchronized swimming." (Resource Links )
"Conceived as a comic novel, it retains a wonderful light touch while exploring issues of competitiveness, jealousy and the importance of friendship.
...
Bossley is well on her way to mastering her craft -- and that's not just my opinion." (Ken McGoogan Calgary Herald )
"A fun, fact-filled novel of synchronized swimming, friendship, jealousy, and family relations... A good sports novel for girls." (Canadian Materials )
"Sports stories featuring young women are not commonplace, and as such they are needed, but this is not the only reason to pick up Breathing not Required. This short novel about synchronized swimming is briskly paced and readable, with believable characters, and a simple but involving plot." (Fred Boer Quill & Quire )
"Breathing Not Required is a fast-paced and entertaining exploration of the destructive effects of excessive competitiveness. Recommended." (Kathy Williams Canadian Children's Literature )
"...a good read... It is fast-paced and interesting and readers will learn a lot about synchronized swimming." (Resource Links )
Product Description
Gracie and her friend Laura are both on the synchronized swim team in their hometown of Cochrane, Alberta.
Gracie is focused and hard-working, eager to be chosen for a solo. Laura is more relaxed about synchro, wanting above all to enjoy the sport. As the swim meet nears, these different approaches strain their friendship and threaten the success of the team itself.
Lively and good humoured, Breathing Not Required is a novel about competition, jealousy, and the importance of friendship.
Gracie is focused and hard-working, eager to be chosen for a solo. Laura is more relaxed about synchro, wanting above all to enjoy the sport. As the swim meet nears, these different approaches strain their friendship and threaten the success of the team itself.
Lively and good humoured, Breathing Not Required is a novel about competition, jealousy, and the importance of friendship.
About the Author
MICHELE MARTIN BOSSLEY was born in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., but grew up in Calgary from the time she was five. She is the author of ten other children\s books including Taking a Dive runner-up for the R. Ross Annett Award in Children's Literature and The Perfect Gymnast nominated for the 1999 Manitoba Reader's Choice Award. One of her more recent books Pool Princess has been nominated for a Golden Eagle Children's Choice Award. Michele has been involved in both synchronized swimming and competitive swimming since her teens. She has also coached young swimmers and draws on much of that experience for her books.
