Swim Team (graphic novel)
| Swim Team | |
|---|---|
| Date | May 17, 2022 |
| Page count | 256 pages |
| Publisher | HarperAlley |
| Creative team | |
| Writer | Johnnie Christmas |
| Artist | Johnnie Christmas |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-305677-0 |
Swim Team is a 2022 graphic novel by Johnnie Christmas. It received widely positive reception, including being nominated for an Eisner Award and Harvey Award and being honored by the Coretta Scott King Award.
Plot
After moving to Florida from Brooklyn, Bree starts attending the swimming-obsessed Enith Brigitha Middle School, which means Bree is confronted with her own inability to swim. After being saved following falling in a pool by her elderly neighbor Ms. Etta, the two form a mentor-student relationship. In addition to covering Bree's journey in learning to swim and joining her school's swim team, the book discusses the history of swimming for Black communities in the United States.[1][2][3]
Reception
The book received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly.[4][5][6]
| Year | Award/Honor | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics | Nominated | [7] |
| 2022 | Harvey Award for Best Children's or Young Adult Book | Nominated | [8] |
| Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Books of the Year | Included | [9] | |
| Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table's Best Graphic Novels for Children | Included | [10] | |
| 2023 | Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids | Nominated | [11] |
| BCALA Literary Award winners — Children & Youth Literary Awards | Won | [12] | |
| Coretta Scott King Award - Illustrator | Honored | [13][14] | |
| Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers | Top Ten | [15] | |
| Jane Addams Children's Book Award - Book for Older Children | Honored | [16] | |
| 2025 | Young Reader's Choice Award - Junior Category | Won | [17] |
References
- ↑ "Johnnie Christmas's graphic novel Swim Team is buoyed by themes of community, perseverance and overcoming fear". CBC News.
- ↑ Tsui, Bonnie (2022-07-29). "Water Dance". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ Metcalf, Annie (2022-05-11). "Book review of Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas". BookPage | Discover your next great book!. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ SWIM TEAM | Kirkus Reviews.
- ↑ "Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ Johnnie, Christmas. "Swim Team". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ Destito, Deanna (2022-10-13). "The DWAYNE McDUFFIE AWARD FOR DIVERSITY IN COMICS finalists have been announced". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "Harvey Awards Unveil 2022 Nominees". www.harveyawards.com. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "Best of 2022". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "2022 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List | Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2026-08-18.
- ↑ MacDonald, Heidi (2023-05-17). "2023 Eisner Awards Nominations announced; Thorogood, Woodruff and King lead". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "BCALA and SLJ Announce 2023 Children and YA Literary Award Winners".
- ↑ "Swim Team | ALA". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ Anderson, Andrea. "Guides: Children's Literature: Coretta Scott King Award". www.lib.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "2023 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers | Young Adult Library Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "Announcement of 2023 Winning & Honor Titles - Jane Addams Peace Association". 2023-01-13. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "YRCA – Young Reader's Choice Award". Retrieved 2026-08-03.