Cite breathing underwater notes life of the author alex flinn grew up in syosset, new york, a small town on long island, new york and lived in miami, florida. I personally like the book because the author, alex finn, makes the story based on the abusers point of view. The journal is written by nick as an assignment from the judge who also sends him to anger management after the girlfriend he beat up finally presses. The first edition of the novel was published in april 24th 2001, and was written by alex flinn. The breathing underwater book series by alex flinn includes books breathing underwater and diva. Discussion of themes and motifs in alex flinns breathing underwater. Nick is a closedoff individual at the beginning of the novel, but through therapy.
Breathing underwater book by alex flinn thriftbooks. I look at the wall, my attention suddenly riveted by a palmetto bug, feelers writhing. Sent to counseling for hitting his girlfriend, caitlin, and ordered to keep a journal, 16yearold nick recounts his relationship with caitlin, examines his controlling behavior and anger, and describes living with his abusive father. Like youre trying to be a man when youre just a scared kid, trying to keep under control when you really want to scream, cry, maybe hit someone. And maybe nick used his fist at the end when the anger got out of control. Breathing underwater by alex flinn by karla pacheco on prezi. Also, there is lots of drama and who doesnt love that. See the complete breathing underwater series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. Breathing underwater by alex flinn penguin random house. When she was five years old, her mother suggested that she should be an author. Breathing underwater by alex flinn 766 words bartleby. Breathing underwater is a 2002 young adult novel by alex flinn. Read breathing underwater by alex flinn available from rakuten kobo.
Alex flinn takes you on a roller coaster in this coming of age tale of a boy with a lot of pent up frustration. Breathing underwater by alex flinn the teen book club. Breathing underwater by alex flinn breathing underwaterbreathing underwater by alex flinn is written as a series of journal entries. Alex based the book on her experiences interning with the state attorneys office and volunteering with battered women. Alex started writing an early draft of breathing underwater in college. Alex flinn has written a very important story, that of family violence and the toll it takes on everyone involved. A truly informative book, breathing underwater is not to be missed. Harpercollins, apr 24, 2001 juvenile fiction 263 pages. But when she had her first daughter, she started writing it in. It tells the story of 16yearold nicholas andreas, a wealthy miami teen who is sent to anger management because his girlfriend, caitlin, takes out a restraining order against him. Readers see this in the novel when nick sees that hes the one to blame not caitlin for the destruction of the relationship.
Breathing underwater by alex flinn 15 words 5 pages summary. Breathing underwater discussion questions based on. Breathing underwater by alex flinn is a young adult novel that examines the main character the abusive relationships the main character, nick, has with his father and with his girlfriend, caitlin. Publishers weeklyintelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteenyearold nick andreas is pretty much perfecton the outside, at least. Her other books for teens include breathing underwater, breaking point, nothing to lose, fade to black. The message is abuse is a cycle that gets repeated. The journal is written by nick as an assignment from the judge who also sends him to anger management after.
The writing made me feel like i went to school with nick and caitlyn instead of being an outsider looking in. Publishers weekly intelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteenyearold nick andreas is pretty much perfecton the outside, at least. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read breathing underwater. Its certainly rare perhaps unprecedented to read of an abusive relationship from the perspective of the abuser. Nick andreas16, rich, smart, popularseems to have a perfect life, and when beautiful, talented caitlin becomes his girlfriend, it looks to outsiders as though it cant get any better. Ever feel like youre breathing underwater, and you have to stop because youre gulping in too much fluid. Other teen novelsmost strikingly dreamland by sarah dessenhave shown dating violence from the point of view of a young girl trapped in an abusive relationship, but in breathing underwater, firsttime novelist alex flinn tackles the difficult task of making us understand, if not sympathize with, the motivation of a violent young man. Help students gain a deeper understanding of the novel breathing underwater with this lesson plan. Breathing underwater by alex flinn, paperback barnes. Breathing underwater by alex finn is about a sixteen year old boy named nicholas, also known as nick.
How did they end up in court with a restraining order being issued against him. After beating up caitlin, however, nick receives a restraining order to stay away from her and is sentenced to complete a family violence program, as well as to keep a journal that. Never one to follow instructions, alex studied theater and opera and became a lawyer before finally writing her first novel, breathing underwater. Alex flinn lesson plans for breaking point, breathing underwater, fade to black, nothing to lose, more free english learning and teaching resources from varsity tutors. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of breathing underwater by alex flinn. Breathing underwater book trailer assignment youtube. When alex flinn was five, her mother informed her that she would be an author when she grew up. Themes all i could think was to show her she couldnt do this, couldnt defy me, treat me like i didnt matter. The message is selfawareness is good because you realize the wrong youve done, and this is how one becomes a man. Breathing underwater is about an teenage boy at the age of 16 who is in love with his. Discussion of themes and motifs in alex flinn s breathing underwater. Flinn, 242 conclusion nick does love caitlin, but his conflicting emotions get in the way of his true feelings example 2 claim. This contemporary novel written by alex flinn is published by harper collins publishers and is written for kids ages 14 and up.
Atrisk ninth graders dive into literary analysis i looked out at the english class before me, a group of 21 ninth graders deemed atrisk, and wondered if i was in over my head. Complete summary of alex flinns breathing underwater. Two text lessons guide students through active reading strategies before, during and. Breathing underwater quotes by alex flinn goodreads. Alex lives in miami with her husband, gene, and their daughters, katie and meredith. Alex flinns critically acclaim book, breathing underwater is one of. In striving to enrich the lives of all readers, teachingbooks supports the first amendment and celebrates the right to read.
It was originally published in 2001 and was chosen a top 10 ala best books for young adults for that year. Breathing underwater ebook by alex flinn 9780062208200. Breathing underwater is a 2002 young adult novel by. Nick has never told anyone about his fathers violent temper. His exgirlfriend, caitlin, put a restraining on him for hitting her while they were dating. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 263 pages and is available in paperback format. Sign up for bookperkdaily bookish finds, fantastic deals, giveaways, and more. Nick beat up his girlfriend, caitlin, and the novel opens with his day in court. Overall i loved breathing underwater and i cant wait to read another book by alex flinn. To his friends, popular and handsome sixteenyearold nick andreas has led a charmed life. This book wasnt what i expected at all, but this book impressed me more than words can explain. I had met judy kitchner, their teacher, at a summer.
Free download or read online breathing underwater pdf epub book. Intelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteenyearold nick andreas is pretty much perfect on the outside, at least. With its themes of abuse and neglect, ostracism and forgiveness, alex flinns awardwinning novel breathing underwater 2001 will prove to be an engaging, emotionallycompelling and thought. In breathing underwater, nick andreas is an average rich white kid living in key biscayne, except for one thing. This is the kind of cycle that needs to be broken, before more young people like nick repeat the only thing they know. In this first person narrative, nick tells the story himself.
1222 1063 440 1620 176 640 1421 642 301 562 821 1048 397 1414 1584 101 1547 214 670 1129 289 812 366 840 736 661 494 1542 1640 227 652 800 855 1306 1220 1040 725 1409 63 1325 324 298