Name: Swim That Rock
ISBN: 9780763669058

John Rocco

Jay Primiano

Clinging to hope after his father goes missing in a fishing-boat accident, 14-year-old Jake teams up with local quahoggers to raise money and save his family's diner from loan sharks. By the Caldecott Honor-winning author of Blackout.

Swim That Rock

Dorian Avers

I got this book with a library sticker that says YA, but bits of it feel more like a middle-grade and it's categorized as both here on Goodreads too. There's cussing and there's a gang-ish group in the book, so I don't know where those fit. I loved the wholesome friendship between Tommy and Jake. Their little adventures and conversations feel real. I liked the bits about quahogging. I always love when books give their characters a passion or hobby. This book would've been so much more enjoyable if the author would've just focused on the relationships, developing the characters, and quahogging. 
 This book starts like you opened up to a random page and began reading there. I'm all about attention grabbers, but this was not done well. This could be a bit more understandable if it is meant for middle-grade. There were far too many sub plots. I don't think the bit about him wondering if his dad is still alive is necessary and all the injuries that befall the working men. It was a lot and I wish it was simplified, but I also don't appear to be the target demographic, so who knows.

Quotes: 
* " 'That's a real question...isn't it? It hurts like a real question' "(108)