Thanks to a night of drunken teenage mistakes, Abby’s social life in Hawaii is over. Her family’s move to the mainland is her chance to start over. But will Abby be able to overcome her past traumas and find friendship (and maybe even love) at her new school in Oregon, or will her insecurities and the growing turmoil in her family drag her under?

Diversity is important. That’s why it’s so exciting that Abby is half Hawaiian. Her culture plays a big part in the narrative. Because of the death of her grandfather and her family’s relocation, Abby feels like she’s lost her connection to her mo’okū’auhau (Hawaiian ancestors). She no longer trusts her na’au (gut), and she has to find a way to rebalance her piko (past, present, and future). The inclusion by author Cami Nihipali of ‘ōlelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian language) words and Hawaiian culture adds to the prose in a way that’s deep and meaningful.

The main story of SWIMMING SIDEWAYS is centered around Abby’s love life. Abby is drawn to two different boys. Gabe is a loner that has a voice that captures “the lure of the ocean surf”. Seth is a popular playboy who used to surf with Abby during her childhood. Abby is attracted to both—but she’s afraid of Gabe’s status as a social outcast and drawn to Seth’s “social capital”. She knows that she’ll have to choose. It’s a classic love triangle—and it’s a good one, too.

SWIMMING SIDEWAYS is about more than just romance, though. Abby feels like she’s been split into two parts: Good Abby, who stays “under the radar”, and Bad Abby, who “loves the idea of a good time”. Abby’s secret shame (a video taken of her during a party) colors all of her actions. Her parents’ marriage problems make it even harder for Abby, who feels like her whole life is “on shaky ground”. Watching Gabe be bullied and Seth come to school with bruises from his abusive father weighs on her soul. SWIMMING SIDEWAYS is filled with conflict.

SWIMMING SIDEWAYS isn’t perfect, but its minor grammatical errors are easy to overlook in favor of its story. The book touches on many important topics: the damage caused by grief, how bullying leads to ostracism and how a disconnect from culture can lead to a loss of identity and it stands as a great example of how diversity can enhance and improve the young adult genre.

SWIMMING SIDEWAYS features a classic (and very well done) love triangle, complemented by the main character’s internal conflict, which is fueled by a loss of connection with her Hawaiian heritage. It’s a perfect example of how diversity can enhance and improve the young adult genre.

~Stephani Hren for IndieReader