Book Review of "Barely Floating" by Lilliam Rivera

 1. Bibliography

Rivera L. 2023. Barely floating. Kokila. ISBN: 9780593323120

2. Plot Summary

Natalia De La Cruz Rivera or also known as Nat is a 12-year-old Mexican American girl

who loves competition. No matter where she is she loves to win, so it was no surprise

that when she sees a synchronized swimming meet, she is instantly engaged and ready to

take on the challenge. There are times when she is self-conscious about her body because

she is bigger than some of the girls on the team, but she is determined to make it no

matter what. Nat’s family is supportive but still wants her to be the put together girl that

society expects from her. Nat struggles to find a balance in her life and juggle this secret

she is hiding from her family. Nat finds herself having to take responsibility for her

actions with help from role models she finds along the way.

3. Critical Analysis

In this book we are introduced to Natalia De La Cruz Rivera, also known as Nat. Nat is

12 years old and has a Puerto Rican and Mexican American background. She is curious

and strong-willed but also struggles with her body image because she is larger than

others. Nat’s family consists of her Abuela, her mom Ceci, and her dad. Overall Nat’s

family are supportive of her but there are also cultural expectations that her Abuela holds

over her of how she is supposed to behave. There are many different characters in this

story that help Nat throughout who have different cultures and backgrounds. Nat gets

inspiration from a non-binary lifeguard who has self-acceptance and confidence in

themselves. The story takes place in Los Angeles, California and is a contemporary book

about the present day. You see different neighborhoods and public spaces that appear in

the book. Where Nat lives you can see cultural details like corner stores, family homes,

and local parks. There is a strong sense of family and tradition in the neighborhood. The

pool is where a lot of the book takes place and is significate to Nat because she learns her

love for synchronized swimming. There is also Abuelas house where you get a strong

sense of culture from the food and family history. The book celebrates diversity and

shows that everyone can do great things no matter what they look like, but it also shows

traditional values as well. Nat shows respect for her elders when Abuela makes

comments about her body and choices, Nat still shows Abuela respect even if she is

upset. There are family gatherings that highlight the Puerto Rican and Mexican dishes

like arroz con gandules and tamales. In this culture food is a great way to express

tradition and this is shown in the book many times. There is also a use of Spanglish in

the book and shows the experiences of kids growing up in the United States. There is

also reference to the way you are supposed to look when going out in public and they use

the phrase “decent” to show that you should take pride in your appearance. This book

gives readers a lot to experience and reflect on. I think girls everywhere will be able to

relate to this book and the pressures that society has on women to look fit and healthy.

Children in middle school will relate to this book and Nat’s character for being strong and

willing to break the rules to make her life better.

4. Review Excerpt(s)

Booklist Best Books of 2023 (Editor's Choice)

Kobo Best Books of 2023 (Kids)

2024 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List (Middle Grade: Fiction)

2024 Bank Street Best Children’s Books

The California Center for the Book - 2024 Great Reads from Great Places list

The Latinidad List Best Latino Books of 2023

First Partner Summer Book Club (First Lady of California, Jennifer Newsome,

initiative)

2025 Rhode Island Latino Book Award Masterlist

2025-2026 Land of Enchantment Book Award Nominee (New Mexico)

“Rivera’s layered, sparkling middle-grade debut is Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ (2015) by

way of Lisa Fipps’ Starfish (2021). . . . Display this empowering novel with Esther

Williams’ classic Million Dollar Mermaid.”

—Booklist, starred review

"Rivera brings a freshness to a conventional middle-grade story with flowing prose that

effortlessly captures the complicated and often conflicting emotions of being a tween,

especially one who has to face microaggressions for being fat, brown, Latina, and not

rich.";

—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

5. Connections

*I would have students create a “This is Me” poster, using photos, magazines, or

drawings to show more about themselves and have students comment on each other’s

poster with positives they like.

*Other books related:

-Starfish by Lisa Fipps

-Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard