Malerman was insistent on letting us know that the two main characters are 17 years old. Did you know that they are 17? Isn't it awesome that they are 17? They are falling in love and THEY ARE 17. This book read like it was written for a high school creative writing class. And I honestly know some 17 YEAR OLDS who could have done the story better. Can someone please explain to me how a person underwater can gasp in surprise without choking? Oh, I know: it's because THEY'RE 17.