Swimming Into Trouble (Julia on the Go #1)

Ahn, Angela. Swimming Into Trouble (Julia on the Go #1)
February 13, 2024 by Tundra Books

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Nine-year-old Julia LOVES swimming. Her immigrant parents run Sushi-To-Go in the local community center, and sign her up for swimming lessons so she doesn't have to stay with the at the restaurant all the time, and she seems to have quite the talent for it. She's competitive, and glad that even though she is a year younger, she can still beat swimmers like Olivia. When she experiences some pain in her ear when she is doing some deeper dives, she isn't too worried, but when it continues, she lets her coach know, and she says that have to tell Julia's parents. The doctor at the walk in clinic diagnosis an ear infection. While she doesn't feel it is swimmer's ear, she prescribes an antibiotic and tells Julia she must stay out of the water for ten days. Knowing that Julia isn't the best at following instructions, her parents tell Julia she will no even be going to the pool for that time. Even though she tries to explain to the adults in her life that going for ten days without swimming is like them going for ten days without coffee, or tofu, or K-dramas, her parents are firm. Julia tries to research ways to keep the water out of her ears, especially since Olivia taunts her about not being able to make a big race, since she won't be able to participate in the qualifying time trials. This ends with Julia super gluing a plastic container to her ear, and the community center community stopping by her parents restaurant to help get it off. Julia learns her lesson, and I'm curious to see what other adventures she will find in her Vancouver community. 

Strengths: When I was seven, I spent the entire summer being confined inside due to a severe ear infection. No swimming, just sitting on the couch reading. I don't know what the thought behind THAT was, but it was not enjoyable. Ear infections are a childhood problem I have not seen described very well, so it was good to see that representation. The community center was absolutely fascinating, and is based off the Hillcrest Community Center in Vancouver, BC. Wow! A library, a pool, an ice rink, sushi-- what doesn't it have? It was fun to see Julia have some freedom to explore, and her relationship with the librarian was great to see. Julia's love of swimming is also intriguing, and her angst at being denied her favorite pastime was handled perfectly. For purely selfish reasons, I'd love to see Ahn (Who also wrote Krista Kim-Bap) write a series with an 8th or 9th grade character!
Weaknesses: Since I deal with slightly older children who have a little more self control, it was hard to read about the bad choices that Julia was making. I would have loved to see more of her home life and her parents, because they seemed very interesting, but I'm sure that young readers will enjoy this just the way it is. 
What I really think: While I liked this one a lot, it is a bit young for my students. I would definitely buy this for an elementary school, where it would be popular with the fans of modern day Ramona Quimby equivalents like Sheth's Nina Soni, McDonald's Judy Moody, Barrow's and Blackall's Ivy and Bean, Florence's Jasmine Toguchi, and other series with energetic young girls who pay homage to the B is for Betsy vibe.