Freedom Swimmer 12+

About this book

A powerful story of friendship, bravery, and a desperate bid for freedom, inspired by true events.

Ming survived the famine that killed his parents during China's "Great Leap Forward", and lives a hard but adequate life, working in the fields.

When a group of city boys comes to the village as part of a Communist Party re-education program, Ming and his friends aren't sure what to make of the new arrivals. They're not used to hard labor and village life. But despite his reservations, Ming befriends a charming city boy called Li. The two couldn't be more different, but slowly they form a bond over evening swims and shared dreams.

But as the bitterness of life under the Party begins to take its toll on both boys, they begin to imagine the impossible: freedom.

Reviews

Praise for Freedom Swimmer:

Shortlisted, Sakura Medal (Japan, 2018)

Shortlisted, Readings Young Adult Prize (Australia, 2017)

Longlisted, CBCA Book of the Year, Younger Readers (Australia, 2017)

* "Combining both somber and inspiring tones, this gripping story is even more poignant as Ming and Li’s story is based on the author’s father’s lived experience. An important and memorable read." —Booklist, starred review

* "Dual narrators Ming and Li's breathtaking journey and subsequent events feel plausible and poignant, not only because they are based on the lived experience of the author’s father, but also thanks to Chim’s gift for storytelling. A compelling historical story that highlights timeless themes." —Kirkus Reviews

"Enriched with sensory details and interwoven Chinese, this stark, compelling historical narrative effectively recounts the fierce resolve and bravery of the real-life freedom swimmers, including her father." —Publishers Weekly

"An insight into this time of turmoil in China." —The Australian

"Heart-wrenching and uplifting." —The Sunday Telegraph

Praise for The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling:

2021 Kirkus Prize Finalist

"Heart-wrenching... The novel provides an insightful look at the powerful role food plays in our emotional lives." —The New York Times Book Review

* "Gritty details lend depth to this viscerally powerful tale of a teen struggling to help her troubled family." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This is a book with a huge heartbeat and so much love infused in every page. The stoic resilience of the Chiu family is inspiring." —Alice Pung, author of Lucy and Linh

"[R]efreshingly measured in its resolution... believable optimism readers can accept, and they'll be glad to see Anna's better way forward." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books