Jamie Sumner sure knows how to write about mental health. This novel in verse that takes place over the course of a 6 hour marathon swim across Lake Tahoe is quite the powerful story. It handles the topic of depression with rawness, emotions, and truth. And it broke my heart.

Tully's mom has disappeared. She's not a bad mother, but she stopped taking her anti-depressants a few months ago, stopped therapy, and she hadn't been herself. She's been gone for a few months, and Tully and her dad are working through it. Tully, with the help of her best friend Arch who is her support crew, decide that Tully will do a 12 mile swim across Lake Tahoe in hopes of getting her mother to return home.

The way the book is structured is so interesting, and it's impossible to put down. This is easily a one sitting book. Every chapter represents an hour of the 6 hour swim. We're right there with Tully as she attempts the marathon swim, trying to be the youngest swimmer ever to do it. It's a seat of your pants read as we see Tully struggle and persevere and learn about her family's backstory.

A beautiful book that will tear your heartstrings. Recommended for ages 10+.