THE BEST WORST SUMMER OF ESME SUN

With three high achievers for sisters, Chinese American sixth grader Esme Sun is sure she’ll never meet her mother’s expectations.

Esme is looking forward to spending summer vacation at the local pool with her swim team. But this year, her plans for a carefree summer run into problems—her teammate Tegan (who presents white) seems more interested in boys and fashion than swimming, and she chides Esme for being “too intense.” A misunderstanding leads to a prickly relationship between Esme and new girl Kaya, who’s Black, and the swim meets lead to unpleasant encounters with more competitive swimmers. Esme finds herself torn between trying to stay close to Tegan, despite her mean jabs, and making new friends at the pool. As she begins to excel at the meets and finally wins her mother’s approval, Esme also has to decide if it’s better to put herself first and focus on winning—as her mom advises—or uphold the true sporting spirit and teamwork that the swim meets represent. Told from Esme’s first-person perspective, this well-crafted tale deftly examines the pressures of success and the courage necessary to find one’s own path. The characters are well etched and relatable, and the story gracefully underscores the importance of talking through problems with empathy and tolerance. Shang also addresses racism and colorism; Esme’s stand and her decisions in the face of her longed-for approval from her mother will resonate with readers.

A heartwarming coming-of-age tale about swimming, sisterhood, and principles.