How It Feels to Float — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
"Give this to all your friends immediately . . . It tackles mental health, depression, sexual identity, and anxiety with beauty and empathy." —Cosmopolitan.com
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best of the Year
Biz knows how to float, right there on the surface—normal okay regular fine. She has her friends, her mom, the twins. She has Grace. And she has her dad, who shouldn't be here but is. So Biz doesn't tell anyone anything—not about her dark, runaway thoughts, not about kissing Grace or noticing Jasper, the new boy. And not about seeing her dad. Because her dad died when she was seven.
But after what happens on the beach, the tethers that hold Biz steady come undone. Her dad disappears and, with him, all comfort. It might be easier, better, sweeter to float all the way away? Or maybe stay a little longer, find her father, bring him back to her. Or maybe—maybe maybe maybe—there's a third way Biz just can't see yet.
Debut author Helena Fox tells a story about love, grief, and inter-generational mental illness, exploring the hard and beautiful places loss can take us, and honoring those who hold us tightly when the current wants to tug us out to sea.
"I haven't been so dazzled by a YA in ages." —Jandy Nelson, author of I'll Give You the Sun (via SLJ)
"Mesmerizing and timely." —Bustle
"Nothing short of exquisite." —PopSugar
"Immensely satisfying" —Girls' Life
* "Lyrical and profoundly affecting." —Kirkus (starred review)
* "Masterful...Just beautiful." —Booklist (starred review)
* "Intimate...Unexpected." —PW (starred review)
* "Fox writes with superb understanding and tenderness." —BCCB (starred review)
* "Frank [and] beautifully crafted." —BookPage (starred review)
"Deeply moving...A story of hope." —Common Sense Media
"This book will explode you into atoms." —Margo Lanagan, author of Tender Morsels
"Helena Fox's novel delivers. Read it." —Cath Crowley, author of Words in Deep Blue
"This is not a book; it is a work of art." —Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned
"Perfect...Readers will be deeply moved." —Books+Publishing
Frequently asked questions
Is How It Feels to Float appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No explicit violence is reported in the search results; the narrative focuses on emotional turmoil rather than physical violence. No elements of fear or horror are indicated in the search results; the focus is on mental health and emotional struggles.
Does How It Feels to Float have violence?
No explicit violence is reported in the search results; the narrative focuses on emotional turmoil rather than physical violence.
Does How It Feels to Float have scary content?
No elements of fear or horror are indicated in the search results; the focus is on mental health and emotional struggles.
Does How It Feels to Float have religious themes?
No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the search results.
Does How It Feels to Float have racial/cultural content?
The search results do not indicate any explicit themes of race or racism; the narrative centers on personal and emotional experiences.
Does How It Feels to Float have profanity?
The book contains casual use of profanity, including words like 's—t', 'f—k', and others, as noted in the reviews.
Does How It Feels to Float have climate change?
A subplot regarding climate change activism is mentioned, though it is described as feeling like an afterthought in the narrative.
Does How It Feels to Float have sexual identity?
The narrative includes a scene where Biz kisses her friend Grace and contemplates having sex with a boy, indicating exploration of sexual themes. However, it also notes a moment of discomfort during the encounter.
Does How It Feels to Float have gender roles?
There are no clear themes regarding traditional or modern gender roles mentioned in the search results.
Does How It Feels to Float have lgbtq+ themes?
The protagonist, Biz, is described as queer and explores her sexual identity throughout the narrative. The story provides space for her to contemplate her feelings without fear, indicating a normalization of LGBTQ+ themes.
