Swing ITPE SC — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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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
In this YA novel in verse from bestselling authors Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess (Solo), which Kirkus called "lively, moving, and heartfelt" in a starred review, Noah and Walt just want to leave their geek days behind and find "cool," but in the process discover a lot about first loves, friendship, and embracing life . . . as well as why Black Lives Matter is so important for all.
Best friends Noah and Walt are far from popular, but Walt is convinced junior year is their year, and he has a plan that includes wooing the girls of their dreams and becoming amazing athletes. Never mind he and Noah failed to make their baseball team yet again, and Noah's crush since third grade, Sam, has him firmly in the friend zone. While Walt focuses on his program of jazz, podcasts, batting cages, and a "Hug Life" mentality, Noah feels stuck in status quo ... until he stumbles on a stash of old love letters. Each one contains words Noah's always wanted to say to Sam, and he begins secretly creating artwork using the lines that speak his heart. But when his art becomes public, Noah has a decision to make: continue his life in the dugout and possibly lose the girl forever, or take a swing and finally speak out.
At the same time, American flags are being left around town. While some think it's a harmless prank and others see it as a form of protest, Noah can't shake the feeling something bigger is happening to his community. Especially after he witnesses events that hint divides and prejudices run deeper than he realized.
As the personal and social tensions increase around them, Noah and Walt must decide what is really important when it comes to love, friendship, sacrifice, and fate.
Swing:
- is written by New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winner Kwame Alexander
- Features a diverse array of characters and perspectives
- tackles the biggest social issues of today, including racial prejudice and Black Lives Matter
- is perfect reading for the classroom or community-wide discussions
- is a 2020 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
- contains original artwork tied to the story
If you enjoy Swing, check out Solo by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess.
Frequently asked questions
Is Swing ITPE SC appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes themes of police brutality and violence, which are significant elements in the story, reflecting on societal issues faced by the characters. No scary content detected in the book. The narrative focuses on personal and social issues rather than horror or frightening themes.
Does Swing ITPE SC have violence?
The narrative includes themes of police brutality and violence, which are significant elements in the story, reflecting on societal issues faced by the characters.
Does Swing ITPE SC have scary content?
No scary content detected in the book. The narrative focuses on personal and social issues rather than horror or frightening themes.
Does Swing ITPE SC have religious themes?
The book contains powerful faith and God messages, indicating a presence of religious themes, though specific religious practices or ceremonies are not detailed. The references suggest a general Christian influence.
Does Swing ITPE SC have racial/cultural content?
The book explores themes of race and racism, particularly in relation to police violence and societal challenges faced by characters from minority communities, reflecting on contemporary racial issues.
Does Swing ITPE SC have profanity?
No evidence of profanity found in the book. The search results do not indicate any use of strong language or swearing in the narrative.
Does Swing ITPE SC have climate change?
No climate themes detected in the book. The search results do not indicate any environmental discussions or activism within the narrative.
Does Swing ITPE SC have sexual identity?
The book addresses themes of teenage relationships and includes references to sexual pressure, particularly regarding the character Sam and her interactions with Cruz, which implies discussions around consent and sexual dynamics.
Does Swing ITPE SC have gender roles?
The book does not explicitly discuss or critique gender roles. While it features teenage characters navigating relationships, it does not focus on traditional or modern gender role themes.
Does Swing ITPE SC have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes explicitly present in the book. While some sources mention LGBTQ+ characters in literature generally, they do not provide specific content from 'Swing ITPE SC'.
