Scan barcode
moniqueaster's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A great historical YA fiction novel which enlightens the reader as to life for Chinese youth during the cultural revolution. Simply written so suited best for early teens or pre-intermediate readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
tegan_michelle's review against another edition
4.0
I met the wonderful Wai Chim last year, and have been so excited to read this book ever since!
Freedom Swimmer was an emotional, and informative historical text, that was infused with real history (both personal and world wide).
I loved the little snippets of romance between Ming and Fei, even though it was very clear early on that their hopeful romance would not become fruitful. I also adored the friendship that was built between Ming and Li throughout the book. It was amazing to see true comradery take place, even in such tough times. As such, the ending unsurprisingly shattered my heart a little. Although it definitely felt as if there was some sort of chemistry between Li and Fei during the novel, I never thought that a romance would actually take place, especially with the grief of Ming's perceived death.
Admittedly, I found this book to be a bit slow to begin with, as I was anxiously waiting the time when Ming set out to freedom swim, but by the end, I was only so glad to have waited it out.
Freedom Swimmer was an emotional, and informative historical text, that was infused with real history (both personal and world wide).
I loved the little snippets of romance between Ming and Fei, even though it was very clear early on that their hopeful romance would not become fruitful. I also adored the friendship that was built between Ming and Li throughout the book. It was amazing to see true comradery take place, even in such tough times. As such, the ending unsurprisingly shattered my heart a little. Although it definitely felt as if there was some sort of chemistry between Li and Fei during the novel, I never thought that a romance would actually take place, especially with the grief of Ming's perceived death.
Admittedly, I found this book to be a bit slow to begin with, as I was anxiously waiting the time when Ming set out to freedom swim, but by the end, I was only so glad to have waited it out.
just_kidding_cosplay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hikool101's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. I liked the story and getting to learn about and sympathize with people who live on completely different sides of the world from me. It was a touching experience. 7/10
delicatewatkins's review against another edition
5.0
Wai Chim has become a favorite author of mine. I felt so many emotions while reading this gripping story. Just a wonderful book and a necessary story. Great historical fiction based on the author's father's experiences.
danyell919's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic YA historical fiction novel about the freedom swimmers. I never knew this part of history.
zohal99's review against another edition
4.0
Really great reading for 14-17 year olds!
It explores a really important period of history and the bonds of friendship it explores are heart-breaking.
It explores a really important period of history and the bonds of friendship it explores are heart-breaking.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
This is a super moving story of one boy's swim to freedom from mainland China to the British colony of Hong Kong during Mao's regime.
The story is told in alternating POVs, between field orphan and outcast Ming, who loses both his parents and lives with the stigma of his father's shame for betraying Mao and trying to swim to freedom, and the scorn and arrogance of Li, a city-born-and-raised boy who comes to the fields as part of Mao's Down to the Countryside movement.
They strike up an unexpected friendship swimming in the nearby lagoon to escape the summer heat. Ming is impressed by Li's ability to read, if jealous of Li's gregarious, easy-nature with the girl who holds Ming's heart in her eyes. Li is later grateful for Ming's friendship when his parents are exposed as "capitalist conspirators" for mailing a letter and Li's beaten and left for dead.
When neither boy has anything left to live for, they swim.
I won't reveal what happens, just know, there's several twists I didn't see coming. The ending had me bawling.
Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The story is told in alternating POVs, between field orphan and outcast Ming, who loses both his parents and lives with the stigma of his father's shame for betraying Mao and trying to swim to freedom, and the scorn and arrogance of Li, a city-born-and-raised boy who comes to the fields as part of Mao's Down to the Countryside movement.
They strike up an unexpected friendship swimming in the nearby lagoon to escape the summer heat. Ming is impressed by Li's ability to read, if jealous of Li's gregarious, easy-nature with the girl who holds Ming's heart in her eyes. Li is later grateful for Ming's friendship when his parents are exposed as "capitalist conspirators" for mailing a letter and Li's beaten and left for dead.
When neither boy has anything left to live for, they swim.
I won't reveal what happens, just know, there's several twists I didn't see coming. The ending had me bawling.
Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/