“Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!” JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal–winning New Kid

A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas!

Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees—until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.

With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake.

Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap—for good?

Praise for SWIM TEAM:

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor

National Book Award Longlist

Kirkus Best Book of the Year

Harvey Award Best Children’s or Young Adult Book Nominee

“A revelation! You’ll root for Swim Team—the water is just right.” —JOHN JENNINGS, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award–winning creator

“Swim Team is a beautiful story about trying new things. Johnnie Christmas is a fantastic storyteller and artist.” —KAZU KIBUISHI, author of Amulet

“Full of charm, heart, and pulse-pounding races. A winner!” —GENE LUEN YANG, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops

Johnnie Christmas is a #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novelist and author-illustrator of the critically acclaimed middle grade graphic novel Swim Team, which was longlisted for the National Book Award, was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book for Illustration, was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2022, and received a Jane Addams Book Award Honor. He calls Vancouver, British Columbia, his home.

You can visit him online at johnniechristmas.com.

Johnnie Christmas' profile page

• Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award nominee
• Vermont Golden Dome Book Award
• Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
• Sunshine State Young Readers Award (Florida)
• CBC Books Best of Canadian Fiction
• Booklist Editor's Choice: Books for Youth
• Coretta Scott King Award (Illustrator)
• Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
• Rhode Island Children's Book Award
• Jane Addams Book Award
• Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
• Silver Birch Award Finalist
• Harvey Award
• Nutmeg Children’s Book Award (Connecticut)
• Children’s Book Council’s Librarian Favorites Award
• Children’s Book Council’s Children’s Favorites Award
• NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award
• North Carolina Children's Book Award List
• Bank Street Children’s Best Books of the Year
• Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award (Minnesota)
• Nene Award (Hawaii)
• Children’s Book Council’s Teacher Favorites Award
• CYBILS Awards
• Kirkus Reviews Best Books
• Jane Addams Book Award Honor Book
• Land of Enchantment Book Award (New Mexico)
• National Book Award Longlist
• Eisner Award
• Yellowhammer Book Award (Alabama)
• ALA Black Caucus Award
• Amazon.com Best Books of the Month

"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" — Jerry Craft, author of the Newbery Award–winning New Kid

"A revelation! You’ll root for Swim Team—the water is just right." — John Jennings, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award–winning creator

"Swim Team is a beautiful story about trying new things. Johnnie Christmas is a fantastic storyteller and artist." — Kazu Kibuishi, author of Amulet

"Full of charm, heart, and pulse-pounding races. A winner!" — Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops

“This graphic novel belongs on shelves in school and libraries everywhere.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

"A powerful, knowledgeable, and pressing exploration of the intersection where swimming meets Black identity. Empowerment through swimming and swim team is well-embodied in Bree, a smart, perseverant, anxious kid who readers will embrace instantly. The friendly and familiar style of Christmas' linework pours out into some true artistry." — Booklist (starred review)

Challenging the idea that “Black people aren’t good at swimming,” this middle grade debut from Christmas (the Angel Catbird series, for adults) details segregation’s generational impact through a warmhearted story of community, Black diasporic identity, and learning, all portrayed in kinetic contemporary art. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Problem-solving through perseverance and friendship is the real win in this deeply smart and inspiring story.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This enjoyable graphic novel deals with familiar and middle-grade-appropriate themes of friendship, perseverance, and overcoming fears. The accessible illustrations add to the humorous (and sometimes serious) moments within the text." — Horn Book Magazine

Questions of belonging, ability, racial justice and who gets to swim are handled with thought and care...its nuanced storytelling and visual appeal will have outsize reach and meaning beyond this age group. — New York Times

This energetic, heartfelt graphic novel captures the joys and challenges of a sport that should be—but hasn’t always been—freely enjoyed by everyone. — Book Page