Underwater - by Marisa Reichardt (Paperback)

About the Book

A high school junior who becomes agoraphobic as a result of a school shooting meets a boy who inspires recovery.

Book Synopsis

After a tragedy, she feels like she's stuck underwater.

On October fifteenth, everything changed. That was the day that Morgan tried to do something kind--and inadvertently played a role in a deadly tragedy.

Before, Morgan loved the beach and the smell of the ocean breeze. Before, Morgan competed on the school swim team and savored the rush she would get from being underwater.

Now, Morgan can't move on. She is unable to even move beyond the front door of the apartment she shares with her mother and little brother. Morgan feels like she's underwater, unable to surface. Unable to see her friends. Unable to go to school.

The only person she interacts with besides her family is Brenda, her psychologist. "Breathe," Brenda tells her, but Morgan doesn't feel like she can.

Before Morgan can step outside, she must find the courage to forgive--first someone who did something that might be unforgivable, and finally herself.

Underwater is a powerful, hopeful young adult debut novel by Marisa Reichardt about redemption, recovery, and finding the strength it takes to face your past and move on.

"Debut author Reichardt doesn't oversimplify: Morgan isn't saved by love; rather, new neighbor Evan reminds her of life and what it's like to have a friend. As Evan, who has his own connection to the shooting, tells her, what he likes about Morgan is that she's real, and that's exactly what readers will appreciate about this book." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A moving, reflective exploration of grief, trauma, and how individuals find their paths toward resilience." --Kirkus Reviews

"Debut author Reichardt smartly reveals the source of Morgan's agoraphobia--a school shooting--very gradually, which, along with the sweet romance with Evan, urges the plot forward." --Booklist

Review Quotes

"Debut author Reichardt doesn't oversimplify: Morgan isn't saved by love; rather, new neighbor Evan reminds her of life and what it's like to have a friend. As Evan, who has his own connection to the shooting, tells her, what he likes about Morgan is that she's real, and that's exactly what readers will appreciate about this book." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Debut author Reichardt smartly reveals the source of Morgan's agoraphobia--a school shooting--very gradually, which, along with the sweet romance with Evan, urges the plot forward. Morgan's... story of growth and redemption will be rewarding for readers who love character-driven novels." --Booklist

"Part problem novel, part romance, Reichardt's debut never becomes melodramatic, even when there is plenty of drama. The main character's emotional growth and healing, her work with her psychologist, and even her changing role in her unusual family dynamics never feel contrived. Readers will enjoy the emotional balance Reichardt gives to the high stakes conflicts in a teen's life." --School Library Journal

"A moving, reflective exploration of grief, trauma, and how individuals find their paths toward resilience." --Kirkus Reviews

"While this is a tender and appealing romance, it would also make a thoughtful complement to the many books about school shootings to illuminate the effects that last beyond the horrible day."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About the Author

Marisa Reichardt lives in Southern California with her family, where she can usually be found huddled over her laptop in a coffeehouse or swimming in the ocean. Underwater is her debut novel.