About the book
A Pura Belpré Honor Book * A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book for Teens
In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body.
Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body.
Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor.
She decides it’s time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her—the truth about her own body.
- Disability Representation: A heartfelt journey of a teen with hip dysplasia who finds freedom and strength in the water, the one place she feels truly safe in her own body.
- First Love: A sweet romance with the new neighbor, Alex, who might be the one person she doesn’t have to hide her scars—or her dreams—from.
- Peruvian-American Heroine: Verónica navigates the expectations of her conservative Peruvian parents while carving out her own identity as a first-generation American teen.
- YA Coming of Age: It’s the summer before senior year, and Verónica is ready to seize control of her life, from auditioning for Mermaid Cove to discovering her own strength.
Editions of Breathe and Count Back from Ten
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780358697305
- EBook
- ISBN 9780358536789
Read an Excerpt
A Pura Belpré Honor Book * A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book for Teens
In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body.
Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body.
Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor.
She decides it’s time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her—the truth about her own body.
- Disability Representation: A heartfelt journey of a teen with hip dysplasia who finds freedom and strength in the water, the one place she feels truly safe in her own body.
- First Love: A sweet romance with the new neighbor, Alex, who might be the one person she doesn’t have to hide her scars—or her dreams—from.
- Peruvian-American Heroine: Verónica navigates the expectations of her conservative Peruvian parents while carving out her own identity as a first-generation American teen.
- YA Coming of Age: It’s the summer before senior year, and Verónica is ready to seize control of her life, from auditioning for Mermaid Cove to discovering her own strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Breathe and Count Back from Ten about?
A Pura Belpré Honor Book * A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book for Teens
In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body.
Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body.
Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor.
She decides it’s time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her—the truth about her own body.
- Disability Representation: A heartfelt journey of a teen with hip dysplasia who finds freedom and strength in the water, the one place she feels truly safe in her own body.
- First Love: A sweet romance with the new neighbor, Alex, who might be the one person she doesn’t have to hide her scars—or her dreams—from.
- Peruvian-American Heroine: Verónica navigates the expectations of her conservative Peruvian parents while carving out her own identity as a first-generation American teen.
- YA Coming of Age: It’s the summer before senior year, and Verónica is ready to seize control of her life, from auditioning for Mermaid Cove to discovering her own strength.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Breathe and Count Back from Ten?
Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy > Children’s / Teenage fiction: Contemporary and urban fantasy
Where can I read a sample of Breathe and Count Back from Ten?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780358697305
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Breathe and Count Back from Ten?
Natalia Sylvester
Who is the Publisher of the book Breathe and Count Back from Ten?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Breathe and Count Back from Ten is available as paperback(ISBN 9780358697305) and ebook(ISBN 9780358536789)
Where can I buy Breathe and Count Back from Ten online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Breathe and Count Back from Ten from below
Where can I buy Breathe and Count Back from Ten?