Elsewhere Girls

Two white 13-year-old swimmers—one in 2021 and one in 1908—swap bodies in this cheerful feminist tale by Australian authors Gale (The Other Side of Summer) and Weetman (It All Begins with Jelly Beans). After her father loses his job, Cat Feeney and her family relocate from her beloved Orange to Sydney so they can have a fresh start. On top of moving stress, she’s worried about maintaining her swimming scholarship. Meanwhile, 113 years in the past, all Fanny Durack wants to do is swim, but she is weighed down by myriad responsibilities, which include caring for her eight siblings. Their lives converge across time when the two visit the same local pool at the same day and moment in their respective years, and find themselves mysteriously inhabiting each other’s bodies after a dive. Even as they struggle to figure out how to return to their own lives, the teens marvel at each new experience. Historical factoids abound in this contemplative story, which, through Cat and Fan’s individual self-discoveries and inquisitive alternating perspectives, deftly examines the evolution of traditionally feminine gender roles. Fan is based on Sarah Frances Durack (1889–1956), the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal for swimming, as noted in an afterword. Ages 9–12. (Aug.)