Breathe and Count Back from Ten follows a teenage daughter of Peruvian immigrants with hip dysplasia who navigates her disability and her struggle to be independent from her overbearing parents while secretly pursuing her dream of being a performing mermaid in a nearby tourist attraction. It is a fresh kind of coming-of-age story (taking place the summer before the main character Verónica’s senior year). In it, Sylvester effortlessly blends the story of an immigrant daughter with the story of disability into one elegant narrative of bodily autonomy and independence.
The narration is elegantly written and yet still accessible. It is incredibly evocative and emotional, sure to leave readers with all the feels. The cast of characters is simultaneously relatable, likable, and exasperating, all in a good way that pulls the reader along desperate to turn each new page. One small thing I liked was the definitions that start every chapter: the ‘official’ definition of some word and a definition from Verónica that helps the reader get into Verónica’s head and set the scene for each new chapter.
Just like the audience left in awe by the performing mermaids, I was left transfixed by the story Sylvester weaves together. At its core, Breathe and Count Back from Ten is a story about choice, and control over your own life. It’s a story that will hit home with the target teen demographic, but is sure to wring out emotions even from readers outside of that category. As soon as it comes out in May, I highly recommend giving it a read. You won’t be disappointed.
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