Unfortunately I did not manage to finish this book. Whilst I liked the premise, the book did not keep my attention. I do think that this book could be a great read for the right kind of reader.

I'll send the link of my blog review when I've written it!

This book was perfectly fine. It wasn't exciting or really special, but it was a quick fine read. 

Ryan is in a wheelchair, as someone who has not spent an extended period of time a wheelchair, I'm not sure it's accurate, but it felt authentic to me. I feel like the timeline was a little off. At some points, it feels like the timeline is being sped up; when it would have been better plotwise to just have the story start a month later instead of skipping a bunch of time which makes the story feel choppy at spots.

Honestly, I think that this book is told by the wrong narrator.  I think this would be a much better story if it was told by Jack instead of Ryan. Jack has more going on and instead of learning about Jack from Jack we learn it all second hand through Ryan. Ryan is a good character, but I don't feel like this is the story he should be telling. This story feels like Jack's story, and that it's held back by it being told from a different perspective. 

I did enjoy this book, but it wasn't something that I would seek out. It's was perfectly fine, but I was hope for a little bit more out of it.

Awwww... I loved this story! I loved all the characters, except one, every single scene I flavored... wow. I don't know how to describe my happiness with this book.

Caterpillars Can’t Swim by Liane Shaw is a coming-of-age story revolving around three teenage boys. Each have their own difficulties, hopes and fears. They attempt to deal with these together in various ways of support and hinderance.
I was kindly given this by NetGalley to give an honest review.

Blurb:

Ryan finds his freedom in the water, where he is not bound by gravity and his wheelchair. When he rescues his schoolmate, Jack, from the water their lives become connected, whether they like it or not. Ryan keeps Jack’s secret about that day in the water, but he knows that Jack needs help. The school is full of rumors about Jack’s sexuality, and he has few friends. Almost against his better judgement, Ryan decides to invite Jack on a trip to Comic Con he’s planned with his best friend Cody, the captain of the school’s swim team. The three boys make an unlikely combination, but they will each have the chance to show whether they are brave enough to go against the stereotypes the world wants to define them by.

The concept behind this book is interesting and the beginning was attention-grabbing and intriguing. The characters are complex and multidimensional, and you do feel for each of them. They are faced with issues many teenagers must deal with and the story encompasses important topics such as sexuality, self-acceptance, independence, friendship, relationships, disability and family.

Unfortunately I did find the teenage voice quite unbelievable. These boys are 17 – 18 years of age, yet they talk, think and behave like they are 13 – 14. It became frustrating very quickly. I am not in that age group so I did my best to be objective, however I do think that teenagers reading it might feel disconnected or wrongly judged and portrayed. There are also many overused tropes and assumptions made about “typical” teenagers.

There are many lessons laid out within the story. This is very good in a book aimed at teenagers, and they are important and valuable lessons, though it could have been better had they been portrayed in a more natural or subtle way.

This book has a good storyline and I felt the need to find out how the characters would deal with their circumstances. I just think there needed to be a better portrayal of how teenagers really behave today, and less use of cliches. I don’t think this is the type of YA any age can enjoy but would be a good read for those in their early teens.

I gave it 3/5 stars.

This was such a touching, honest book about real boys and their real lives. I felt drawn into the story immediately and couldn't put the book down until I knew how it ended. There was so much growth and understanding as well as a dose of reality for what it is like to be in a wheelchair, or gay in an unaccepting place. Throughout the hard and emotional times there was also a lot of laughter and smiles. This was a touching quick read.

This is a very beautifully written story on disability and sexuality. It is less to make others aware and empathetic but more to help a lot of people not be confused and lost about themselves. The adventure three of them take , makes a turning point for all three and I wish they could have some moments pace to realize that. The central characters are realistic and flawed , yet they rise above their designated roles and support each other.it is so good that you do not wish to take a break in the reading session. This makes me love YA so much ! The wit and sarcasm laced dialogues made this such enjoyable book.

Caterpillars can’t swim is a coming of age story surrounding the boys and their friendships. This book is heart felt and candidly beautiful. I am having some issues with my own demons and it took me a while to read this book though l really enjoyed it. I think this book is a direct lesson in tolerance and self esteem, and everyone should read it.
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Summary
One morning Ryan took a roll over to the nearby foot bridge that crosses the river as he does from time to time. As he was about to head home he noticed someone along the edge of the water dancing along the edge. They were there one minute then gone the next and Run did the only thing he could, he leaped into the murky water. This began the friendship between Ryan and Jack and slowly through understanding and the human condition Jack and Cody. Jack had to come to terms with himself and his family and Ryan is there to help as he also tries to navigate adolescence. All while planning an epic summer trip to Comic Con.

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While reading I had feelings that Ryan would be a good model even for my boys. I love this story from beginning to end for what it stands for and represents between tolerance and mental health.

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I apologize that my review is lacking elegance. I hope to get out of the funk soon. But I recommend this book to all of my booklings and beyond.
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I give it an enthusiastic 4 out of 5 stars! Happy reading!
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I received this book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

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This book is one for anyone he loves to read the topics that a lot of authors skirt around. That's not to say this book is not readable. It's the complete opposite. Caterpillars Can't Swim by Liane Shaw is inspiring and heartbreaking all at the same time.

Caterpillars Can't Swim follows Ryan. he is the small town "disabled" guy in a wheelchair from a young age from Cerebral Palsy. He's on the swim team and has friends and enjoys life. One day he saves a fellow student from drowning. Everyone is talking about this kid, Jack, of trying to commit suicide, being gay, and much more. Ryan, for reason unknown to him, befriends Jack. Ryan's best friend, Cody, is not as open minded as Ryan about Jack potentially being gay, yet Ryan invites jack to go to Comic Con with them.

Throughout the story you watch as Ryan remains open minded, faces situations that make him uncomfortable for no other reason than the fact that it seems to help Jack, and places himself between Jack and those who wish to do him harm. While Ryan, Jack, and Cody took a journey in this book, I found that as a reader I got to go on a journey too. Shaw wrote these characters that are so different from each other, yet found ways to be friends and have things in common. I loved how the topics of sexual orientation and disabilities were broached, yet did not take away from the seriousness of suicide and the struggles that people face when trying to be who they are, yet hide from those they love. So many hard hitting topics were intertwined throughout this novel and yet it flowed seamlessly the entire time. It didn't come off as shoving these topics in our face as readers, but just helped the understanding of what people go through.

Anyone and everyone should read this book. The story had fun moments, hard to read moments, moments that made you tear up, and a final light at the end of the tunnel. Such an incredible book. I wish there was more. Check it out and I will be checking out more of Liane Shaw's books.

I went into reading this book without reading the blurb. I was completely sold on the cover alone (I know, never judge a book etc). But I'm so happy I was. I'm not sure I would have read this had I known what it was about. However, upon reading it I was so happy I did. It's beautiful, touching and the characters were fantastic. Ryan and Jack were so beautifully described and portrayed. Some hard-hitting and emotional topics were covered so respectfully, and I felt so lovely after reading this. One of my favourite books this year.

I was attracted to this novel because of its lgbt subject matter as I have come to develope a special place in my heart for the said genre. While it didn’t blow my mind, it was a satisfying read.

This book embodies the innocence of youth, with its uncoloured view of the wider world. That then slowly gets deconstructed as they grow and are exposed to other people and their opinions. Both boys (Ryan and Jack) need to find themselves, make up their own minds while blundering through this thing called life.

Caterpillars can't swim captures that essence of growing up and making a realisation of something that always was – and in some cases – blaringly obvious. This aspect of the novel is what really had me silently cheering.

However, ultimately the book felt a little flat for me. Maybe because I enjoy a more angsty, or adventure based story. So it’s personal preference of the overall experience I’m basing my rating on – not content alone.

This is the second book I've read from Second Story Press, and I truly admire this publisher for their dedication to stories about equality, social justice, and ableism. I highly suggest checking out their catalog if these things (and great storytelling) matter to you.

Caterpillars Can't Swim is told from the perspective of Ryan, a high schooler who has cerebral palsy. He is wheelchair bound, but is generally perceived as your typical teenage boy. He does stupid things with his friends, thinks about girls, and participates in varsity sports. Nice, right?

When Ryan believes he's witnessing someone drowning, he dives into action. This is how he meets his classmate, Jack, who is perpetually bullied for being perceived as gay. When it becomes clear that this wasn't an accident, Ryan takes it on himself to become Jack's protector and friend.

This book feels true and relevant to today's society, where the "privileged" take on the role of Savior for the "oppressed." Jack's struggles are relatable and believable. I especially identified with this quote, "I can't tell the counselor I was trying to hurt myself on purpose because I wasn't. I was trying to make the hurting stop." The most heartwarming moment for me didn't come between the new friendship of Jack and Ryan, but during a trip to a local comic-con where Jack meets some college students who show him that he won't always feel alone and rejected. I hope every teen in the world has this epiphany during their formative years.

Thank you Second Story Press for my digital ARC. Caterpillars Can't Swim is available now.

Not a particularly complex plot. The arc is fairly simple and predictable. Normally, that would bother me. THe redeeming qulity in this case is the depth of the major characters. Only the major characters, but hose few are complex, "real".

http://queensofgeekdom.com/2017/10/03/caterpillars-cant-swim-by-liane-shaw/
Characters
Ryan is the most level headed and beautiful character I’ve ever had the delight to read. While he has a physical disability that does indeed cause him some frustration, I like that he is able to move past it and, as a character, show us that the chair is part of who he is.
Jack is a little bit of a mystery; owing to it being a first person narrative. At times I wish I could have had a few chapters from his perspective, just because I was itching to hear his voice. However, it’s not long before Ryan has broken down the barriers and Jack opens up. It’s worth the wait.
Plot
The plot is much more complex that it appeared on the surface. It obviously has to deal with the immediate aftermath of the incident involving Ryan and Jack, but it evolves into a bittersweet road trip of self-discovery and growth.
I was about to grumble about the lack of a female presence outside of the two mothers, but then Clare and her friend turn up and I’m much happier
The final act is a sucker punch and brave twist to Jack’s journey that will have you reaching for the tissues.
Writing
Well, it had me hooked, and it’s the first book I’ve read in one sitting in a long while. I didn’t even put it down to eat or make a cuppa.
I was so invested in the characters that I NEEDED to know what happened. The chapters were a perfect length and there was no lulls that interrupted the flow.
Utterly perfect, from start to finish.

This short YA novel isn't without flaws. But this might even be a benefit, and I did certainly enjoy reading it.

In Caterpillars Can't Swim the reader encounters three main characters as different from each other as possible: Ryan, who is unable to walk but perfectly capable of not only swimming but also everything else; Jack, who is deeply unhappy and struggling with his own identity and finally Cody, a very extrovert, tall and probably good looking guy who does not seem to have any difficulties neither with himself nor with the rest of the world. So far, so good.

I really liked the idea of throwing those three characters in one story, to show how they may or may not get together and turn out to become friends. However, what did bother me in the end was that, besides them not really turning out as friends, there is this consistent air of Jack - with his self-doubts, his pain and his suicidal behaviour - being a nuisance to Ryan. I slightly disliked that as I think it might come across negatively to someone who identifies with Jack when reading this novel, BUT: I think it's also something important to understand. Handling someone who's struggling the way Jack does can be exhausting, and if you're young and insecure yourself you might find yourself overwhelmed by it. After all, Ryan is "just a kid" himself, thus it is relatable that he often feels negative emotions, maybe even annoyance towards Jack instead of sympathy. I'm not sure if this was this novel's intended message, it is what I read into it though.

I do recommend this novel nonetheless for it is different from a lot of YA novels. It's not a love story, it's the story of three types of characters and how they can get in touch and which difficulties this might bring with it, entirely without judging one character as better or more capable than another. They are different, but that's okay. And I think this - besides everything I criticized above - is an important message.

Caterpillars Can't Swim

by Liane Shaw

Second Story Press

Teens & YA

Pub Date 01 Mar 2018

I am reviewing a copy of Caterpillars Can’t Swim Through Second Story Press and Netgalley:

The water gives Ryan the freedom that land does not. Ryan has Cerebral Palsy and uses a chair to get around but when he is swimming he feels free. Gravity is not his enemy when he is in the water.

Jack is attracted to the water as well, but to him it is a permanent escape. Dogged by rumors f his sexuality dissapearing all together seems better than to deal with the rumors everyday. He is terrified that coming out will make him a bigger target and hurt his adoring Mother.

Ryan saves Jack’s life and keeps his secret. Inviting him to join him to join his best friend Cody and himself to Comic-Con.

Will Cody, Ryan and Jack become friends, or will Jack continue to think they are like everyone else?

I give this powerful novel five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

I am always here for LGBT characters and this book doesn’t disappoint when it comes to representation, the main character also being wheelchair bound himself too so that’s awesome - I can’t remember a book with a protagonist in a chair and it’s also cool he has a life. People with disabilities I have found tend to be written like they are isolated and though of course in the book he talks about how people judge him, he has friends and is on a swim team etc.

For a book that’’s got a very serious start, this book yes has it’s emotional moments, however, Ryan brings light to the dark in this book and also is a very human character - he doesn’t know what to say in the situations he’s put in and I am not sure anyone else with ease would either, the sense of humour shines in this book considering it’s topics. The character development throughout this book is excellent and it reminds me of in some ways of the writing style of Alire Saenz in some ways.

A really easy read that took me a morning to get through, this is a great YA book with an important story to tell, one about friendship, tolerance and being different. It can feel plodding in places, but as it goes on this book gets better.

Water offers those suspended in it momentary freedom from their problems. In Caterpillars Can't Swim by Liane Shaw, two boys are unexpectedly brought together by  their respective relationships with the water.

When Ryan spots someone in a yellow skirt enter the river and not resurface, his swimming and lifesaving training kicks in. Leaving his wheelchair behind, he quickly jumps into the water to save the person, not realizing that it's his classmate Jack until they're both safe on shore. As Ryan reconciles what he saw with what he believes he should tell the police, he and Jack start spending more time together, forming a tenuous friendship that deepens when Jack confides in Ryan that he's gay. During a trip to a local Comic Con, Ryan, his best friend and fellow swim team member Cody, and Jack gain a deeper understanding about one another than the stereotypes thrust upon them while seeing first hand that there's more possible in life than what they experience in their hometown, leading them to test their boundaries in new ways. 

Exploring differences in perceptions and attitudes of small town society through one character being gay and another being wheelchair bound, the narrative demonstrates various levels of acceptance in being who you are while still addressing and highlighting the stigma and pressure that exists from both peers and family. While the narrative does address some important issues, there's a lack of substantial development to the characters and the situation the readers are exposed to that leaves it feeling a little stilted; throughout the text, Ryan comments on how things he did seemed like what he's seen in movies, making it seem as if the text is aware of its clichéd nature, but it persisted in this vein with no attempt to divert itself to something different. Despite the story as a whole being fairly solid and providing a much needed awareness of the issues tackled, the ending was highly dramatic and too abrupt to have as a conclusion as too much was left unanswered. 

Overall, I'd give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC.

Book about being okay with being different. One young man with cerebral palsy and another struggling with sexual identity. Good YA novel.

Caterpillars Can’t Swim…but they do eventually morph into beautiful butterflies just as the relationship between three high school boys changes from ugly and awkward into something beautiful that breaks down barriers and saves a life in the process.

Wheelchair-bound Ryan becomes a local hero when he pulls an unconscious Jack out of a river and saves his life, but what could have been an ending is only the beginning as Ryan becomes entwined in Jack’s secretive, unhappy life.

Liane Shaw deftly handled issues such as homophobia, physical disability, depression, and suicide and portrayed them in a way that was gripping without being preachy or clichéd. Her characters were fresh and managed to escape so many of the stereotypes that are usually present in books about high schoolers. Cody could have easily been a one-dimensional jerk, but he had layers that were at times chopped right off to reveal surprising truths about himself. He was abrasive and rude and charming and even sweet in his own way. It’s rare that a reader wants to hug and slap a character all in the same paragraph, but Cody was definitely refreshing and believable in his reactions to Jack. I also liked Ryan from the start. He was snarky and funny and genuine. He was a perfect mix of someone who had accepted his disability and someone who occasionally got completely pissed off about being stuck in a wheelchair. His discomfort and uncertainty about Jack were palpable and made him real to me.

The lack of an insta-friendship was a welcome change. I enjoyed seeing the friendship between Ryan and Jack build over time. Their comradery required honesty and a slow-building trust which wouldn’t have been credible if it had been rushed. And I loved the ending. Jack’s problems didn’t just disappear with a new friendship. Everything wasn’t neat and tidy. The ending was scary and messy and let the reader know that Jack has a long road ahead of him, but that road just might end in a happier place.

Caterpillars Can’t Swim is not your typical YA story, and that is something I really enjoyed about it. This was my first Liane Shaw book, but her writing style and her approach to topics that can be difficult to write about in a fresh, non-stereotypical fashion really appealed to me, and I look forward to reading more of her work.