“A
caterpillar is basically gross and ugly. But then it gets to hang out in a
cocoon for a while and ends up changing into a gorgeous butterfly. No one cares
if it’s a boy or a girl. It’s just a caterpillar that changed into a butterfly.
And it’s okay and right and normal.”
I received a
free digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review.
In Caterpillars Can’t Swim we meet Ryan, a wheelchair-bound 16 years
old boy who is also a member of Swim Team in his school. One day he rescues
Jack, one of his schoolmate from the water. Ryan keeps Jack’s secret about the
water incident and even though both of them doesn’t really like it, their lives
become connected. Ryan knows that Jack needs help, and Jack feels since Ryan
knows and keep his secret, he can open up a bit to him. Then there’s also Cody,
Ryan’s best friend and fellow swim team member who even though a nice kid,
doesn’t understand why Ryan would want to hang out with Jack when everyone in
their school gossip about Jack’s sexuality. Against Cody’s will and his better
judgement, Ryan decides to invite Jack on a trip to Comic Con that he has
planned with Cody for a long time. On this trip the three kids will each have
the chance to be true to themselves and others, and show whether they are brave
enough to go against the stereotypes.
