Swim by Jeff Christopher Leonard is a compelling story centered around Bernard Barnacle, a young boy with a deep fear of water, living in the coastal town of Astocrally. The narrative begins with Bernard’s father, Hank, pushing him to dive into the ocean, symbolizing a rite of passage. Bernard’s fear of water and his father’s intense love lead him on a journey to overcome fear and discover inner strength. As Bernard navigates school life, he encounters bullying, especially from Oscar, who reinforces his struggles and treats him harshly. The school environment, specifically elements such as the Fishbowl cafeteria and an indoor fish farm, enrich the plot by focusing on Bernard’s relationships with his friends and his dream to become a marine biologist. The book expertly blends themes of courage, resilience, and self-discovery.

Jeff Christopher Leonard’s Swim is a fascinating and emotional read. The author’s portrayal of Bernard’s internal and external conflicts is realistic and relatable, making it easy for readers to empathize with his journey. The vivid descriptions of the coastal town and school environment create an immersive read. Leonard's writing is vivid and poignant, capturing the nuances of adolescence and the challenges of dealing with personal fears. The characters are well-developed, and Bernard’s transformation is particularly inspiring. The storytelling leaves a lasting impression, encouraging readers to reflect on their fears and aspirations. Overall, Swim is a powerful story about maturity and courage, making it a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys heartfelt and thought-provoking stories.

Swim by Jeff Christopher Leonard is a coming-of-age story for young adult fans of fantasy, science fiction, and adventure tales. Bernard Barnacle, or Barny, is afraid of water that once took his father's life. Yet, Barny wants to become a marine biologist. He hopes to get a scholarship from the Environmental Protection Agency. Floods threaten the city of Astocrally, where Barny lives with his mother, Mary. It is crucial to learn swimming, and Barny knows it. But when Barny finally tries to swim, he sees a strange creature in the water. Barny questions his sanity, simultaneously asking himself how many mysteries evolution hides. His high school friend, nicknamed Polyp, goes missing, and a psychic gives him a curious reading. Where is Polyp? Do we share our planet with mythical creatures?

In Swim, Jeff Christopher Leonard explores many burning topics: the consequences of climate change, challenging mental conditions, and the human rights affected by cruel regimes. Barny is an inspiring main character. He realizes his limitations and tries to deal with them. It takes courage. I like Barny's self-irony and open-mindedness. A riveting mystery surrounds Icey, a puzzling underwater creature with a big tail. There is an interesting dynamic between Barny and his mother, who struggles with agoraphobia. Leonard creates an appealing and unexpected secondary character in the psychic, Maggie. Also, the author brings our attention to the importance of adaptability in drastically changing conditions. The novella has a surprising conclusion, with every detail falling into place. I highly recommend it.

In Swim by Jeff Christopher Leonard, Bernard Barnacle – Barny to his friends – suffers a catastrophic loss as a child and emerges with a terrible fear of water. The problem? He lives in a world (alternate present or possible near future) where sea rise from global warming has led to a floating community where all the seawater is polluted and the only fish that can be safely consumed must be farmed. To make matters worse, Barny’s dream is to become a marine biologist! He lives with his agoraphobic mother, largely cut off from the wider world, taking a boat to school each day and experiencing disappointment in virtually every aspect of his life ... until the opportunity to apply for an exciting but mysterious scholarship that would open the world to him but would also require him to face his darkest fears. Literally and figuratively, Barny is a young man adrift.

Swim by Jeff Christopher Leonard is a beguiling and compelling allegory about the human need to move forward and all the things that hold us back. Nearly every character in this quasi-mythological tale struggles with obstacles, internal or external, that impede progress and hold life's dreams at bay. Part coming-of-age story, part cautionary tale, Leonard’s Swim will have readers thinking long after the book is closed. Barny’s world is different than ours but his problems, friends, and feelings are so human and so like our own that the story is almost impossible not to relate to. Add to the mix a surprise ending of mythological proportions and Swim becomes an unforgettable and immensely satisfying read.