In the Same Boat

In the Same Boat by Holly Green follows young Sadie Scofield as she competes in a grueling canoe race, a family tradition. When one blunder leads to disaster, Sadie must re-enter the competition the following year and she is more determined than ever to succeed. But when her brother ditches her at the last minute, she has no choice but to compete alongside her worst enemy.

From the moment the story begins, Green immerses readers in the world of canoeing. She describes every moment, from painful accidents to unforeseen betrayals to joyous victories, scrupulously. Not only does her writing support the plot, Green also creates a headstrong female lead who has both the grit needed to succeed in the competition and the motivation to do so. Sadie doesn’t back down from anything, not even when everything goes awry. Instead, the events that transpire only make her more motivated, and readers can admire her determination. Green also establishes supporting characters with flaws, all of whom play a role in Sadie’s growth.

In addition, Green’s novel, though written about friendly competition, discusses heavier topics such as emotional abuse. The more serious content, however, is uplifted by lighter, more humorous moments. Despite the pace of the novel transitioning from fast to slow often, the book remains entertaining as readers prepare to be launched into the next canoe or family disaster. In conclusion, Holly Green’s In the Same Boat features very real themes and characters worth reading about.