Caterpillars Can't Swim

by Liane Shaw

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org

*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Pub Date Mar 06 2018 | Archive Date May 16 2019

Description

For sixteen-year-old Ryan, the water is where he finds freedom from his wheelchair. But he never imagined he would become his small town's hero by saving his schoolmate, Jack, from drowning. For Jack, disappearing into the river seemed better than living through one more day of high school, where he is dogged by rumors about being gay. When Ryan invites Jack on a trip to Comic Con with his best friend Cody, the captain of the swim team, the three boys make an unlikely combination. This trip will give them the chance to go against the stereotypes the world wants to define them by.

For sixteen-year-old Ryan, the water is where he finds freedom from his wheelchair. But he never imagined he would become his small town's hero by saving his schoolmate, Jack, from drowning. For...

A Note From the Publisher

Liane Shaw is the author of several books for teens, including thinandbeautiful.com, Fostergirls, The Color of Silence, and Don't Tell, Don't Tell, Don't Tell. Liane was an educator for more than 20 years. Now retired from teaching, Liane lives with her family in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario.

Liane Shaw is the author of several books for teens, including thinandbeautiful.com, Fostergirls, The Color of Silence, and Don't Tell, Don't Tell, Don't Tell. Liane was an educator...

Advance Praise

"In Caterpillars Can’t Swim, [Liane Shaw] examines the prejudices people exert on those who are different – whether those differences are perceived or real – and crafts a plot that ensures understanding and acceptance.... By casting Ryan, whose cerebral palsy defines him for so many, in the role of hero, Shaw changes up the expected narrative." - Quill & Quire

"A thought-provoking and compelling narrative that teenage fans of character-driven books will definitely enjoy." - CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"In Caterpillars Can’t Swim, [Liane Shaw] examines the prejudices people exert on those who are different – whether those differences are perceived or real – and crafts a plot that ensures...

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781772600537
PRICE	$13.95 (USD)

Additional Information

Average rating from 46 members

See all member reviews

Featured Reviews

Amy F, Reviewer

**Thanks to NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of CATERPILLARS CAN'T SWIM in exchange for my honest review.**

GRADE: B+

In a wheelchair due to CP, Ryan is the unlikely rescuer when his classmate Jack jumps from a bridge into the river. His best friend Cody, who lacks a filter, doesn't understand the friendship developing between the two, especially with the rumors that Jack is gay. The unlikely trio travel to Comic Con, with Ryan hopeful he can keep his friends from killing each other, figuratively.

Liane Shaw, also a teacher, has a great way of getting into the heads of some of the stressors teenagers experience. All of her books are worthwhile reads. CATERPILLARS CAN'T SWIM is a true gem encompassing such themes as disability, LGBT, bullying, suicide/depression, family and dating. I read the book in one sitting, rooting for Jack and Ryan, and even Cody to a lesser extent.

Shaw created three diverse, complex main characters. I love that she made Jack's sexual orientation somewhat ambiguous that didn't fit into a box. He was gay, liked makeup and women's clothes, but wasn't transsexual or as Ryan asked, transvestite. Cody's handling of Jack's orientation grew incrementally from homophobic to understanding.

CATERPILLARS CAN'T SWIM, and all of Shaw's books are important fixtures in realistic YA fiction.

Was this review helpful?

Linda J, Librarian

This book is about so much more than friendship, or the difficulties of being in a wheelchair, or being gay. It is about acceptance - self-acceptance and acceptance from others. The characters each struggle with who they are and how others view them. I really liked the boys and felt deeply their struggles with life's most difficult situations. Well done.

Was this review helpful?

Kimberley T, Reviewer

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.

Was this review helpful?

Andrea C, Librarian

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.