Sink or swim

By Betty Miles

Subjects: Fiction, African Americans, Friendship

Description: Eleven-year-old B.J. Johnson enters a whole new world when he leaves the inner city of New York to spend two weeks of his summer vacation with a New Hampshire family as part of a Fresh Air program. The new experiences of being surrounded by nature, animals and white people for the first time form the story line. Through B.J.'s words and thoughts, told in black English, Miles portrays his emergence from his initial timidity and fright to his blossoming into a confident, self-assured young man. Progressing from a non-swimmer to a competent one parallels his overall development during his visit. Miles steers clear of any racial conflicts which could arise in this setting, and B.J. and his young friends come off as a bit too perfect in regard to the behavior and politeness expected from kids of their age. Still, the plot will hold children's interest, and the depiction of everyday life in a rural community will be of special interest to city children who have little chance for first-hand experience in this environment.