Life is pretty simple for fifteen-year-old Finn: just keep following the black line in the pool. But in a moment it all changes: distracted by a familiar face in the crowd, he falters on the blocks and loses not just the race, but the single-minded focus that has driven him this far.
Did he really see what he thinks he saw? It doesn’t seem possible – not after what happened – but now Finn can’t stop wondering, and everything is starting to unravel. For the first time, he’s got no idea what he’s supposed to do or who he’s supposed to listen to. His bossy older sister Connie who wants to know the truth? The whip-smart and unforgiving Aaliyah? Or the unflappable Loki, who gets Finn like no one else ever has?
It turns out that in life there’s no such thing as a simple choice. And sometimes there’s no choice at all.
Kate Hendrick is a high school visual arts teacher and author of three YA novels, The Accident, The Finder and now her latest novel Fish Out of Water. It’s clear that Hendrick is well-attuned to the lives of high school students, in all their messy ways – Fish Out of Water is an intense, moving novel about high school kid and star swimmer, Finn. It is an impressive YA read for mature readers aged 14+, one that is sure to spark important conversations about the challenges of growing up, and the crisis of family violence.
Finn is a compelling protagonist who has a lot on his plate and is struggling with navigating his teenage years – I think we all know how complicated being a fifteen-year-old can be! With the school’s expectations heavy upon him as the star swimmer, Finn is not sure if this is the path he wants to take after all. New friends and classmates lead to Finn trying to understand his sexuality and figure out who his true friends are. It’s great to see queer characters and Muslim characters feature in this book.
I am sure that many young readers, especially boys, will relate to Finn’s journey in Fish Out of Water. Tackling themes of domestic violence and abuse, this is one of the darker YA novels I have read recently, making it well suited to mature YA readers and also adults. Finn is challenged to look at the patriarchal society he has grown up in and unpack the toxic masculinity that is rife at school, in the pool, and even in his own family home. The abuse that his mother faced at the hands of Finn’s father makes for a confronting read. However, it is important that abusive and controlling relationships feature in fiction because these scenarios are sadly all too common in real life.
Hendrick fits a lot of big issues into Fish Out of Water, making it a gripping, pacey and thought-provoking read. We highly recommend YA readers add this to their collections.
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