Book Description
for Swimming in the Monsoon Sea by Shyam Selvadurai
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
Set in the monsoon season in Sri Lanka in 1980, the author recalls his own years growing up in that country with the coming-of-age story of Am rith, a young, fourteen-year-old boy living with his Aunty Bundle and Uncle Lucky and their two daughters. He had been a part of their family since the death of his parents. Amrith experiences the normal range of teen emotions as he copes with the anniversary of his mother’s death, the pressure to per form Othello on stage, the arrival of his cousin Niresh from Canada, and his increasing attraction for his cousin as the two boys get to know each other. Canada’s 2005 Governor General’s Literary Award finalist (Honor Book), CLA Young Adult Book Award 2006, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award nominee 2006. sc