Cover of The Properties of Water

The Properties of Water

When Lace's older sister, Marni, falls victim to a summer swimming accident, it paralyzes Lace in time. For Lace, there is only a before—can there be an after? But as the summer surges on, she learns that she must return to the water, the very thing that tore her family apart. This beautifully crafted novel explores the boundaries of family and friendship, the greatest griefs that knock us down, and the smallest kindnesses that guide us to safe harbors.

Genre
literary fiction
Themes
relationships
Setting
2010s
Audience
young adultmiddle gradechildrens
Length
short · 176 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

Liked The Properties of Water? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked The Properties of Water. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Who What Wear! Shares young adult, middle grade, realistic fiction
  2. Hershey Herself Shares young adult, middle grade, realistic fiction
  3. Around the World in 100 Days Shares young adult, middle grade, childrens
  4. The Life and Opinions of Amy Finawitz Shares young adult, middle grade, realistic fiction

“People who read The Properties of Water tend to reach for these next.”

  1. Promise the Night
  2. Reel Life Starring Us
  3. Katerina's Wish
  4. Ukulele Hayley

“If you want more of the same (literary fiction about relationships), start with these.”

  1. I Kill the Mockingbird
  2. Speed of Life
  3. The Summer of May
  4. My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours

“If it was the realistic fiction that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. My So-Called Family
  2. Heaven Is Paved with Oreos
  3. Swan Fake
  4. The Sin Eater

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. The Summer That Made Us
  2. Siren
  3. The Seventeen Second Miracle
  4. Someone Else's Summer