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The Drowning
Sixteen-year-old Jenna wants to dance - not just in dance class or in her bedroom, but professionally, in London, under the eyes of the best teachers in the world. But a fatal accident blows her family and Cornish life apart and, guilty and grief-stricken, she puts all her plans on hold. Until a chance meeting with someone who was there with her that tragic afternoon. Who is he, and how can he help her? Will Jenna find the courage and determination to follow her dreams?
- GenresYoung Adult
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Mendes
24 books21 followersValerie Mendes started writing when she was six. Seventy years later, she looks half her age, feels twenty-one – and is still obsessed with telling a good story.
Educated at North London Collegiate School and the University of Reading, Valerie worked as a journalist for part-work publisher Marshall Cavendish before joining the English Language Teaching Division of Oxford University Press. A short stint with Penguin Books and a second one with OUP at their invitation marked her move to Oxfordshire, where she still lives.
After a long career in publishing, Valerie was encouraged to become a full-time writer. She has published two picture books, Tomasina’s First Dance and Look at Me, Grandma! and four young adult novels, Girl in the Attic, Coming of Age, Lost and Found and The Drowning.
Larkswood, Valerie’s first historical novel for the adult market, was published by Orion in 2014, and translated into German. The Choice, Valerie’s second historical novel for adults, is set in Oxford, Woodstock and Cornwall in 1936.
Valerie returned to writing for teenagers with Where Peacocks Scream, set in modern day Oxford.
Educated at North London Collegiate School and the University of Reading, Valerie worked as a journalist for part-work publisher Marshall Cavendish before joining the English Language Teaching Division of Oxford University Press. A short stint with Penguin Books and a second one with OUP at their invitation marked her move to Oxfordshire, where she still lives.
After a long career in publishing, Valerie was encouraged to become a full-time writer. She has published two picture books, Tomasina’s First Dance and Look at Me, Grandma! and four young adult novels, Girl in the Attic, Coming of Age, Lost and Found and The Drowning.
Larkswood, Valerie’s first historical novel for the adult market, was published by Orion in 2014, and translated into German. The Choice, Valerie’s second historical novel for adults, is set in Oxford, Woodstock and Cornwall in 1936.
Valerie returned to writing for teenagers with Where Peacocks Scream, set in modern day Oxford.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 10, 2020
One of my new favourites. Beautifully written.
January 28, 2011
Set in a beautifully described seaside village in Cornwall, this book follows the life of Jenna who has a bright future ahead of her. She is a talented dancer and has just been accepted for a placement at one of London's top dance schools. The summer has arrived and she can't wait to enjoy it, as she has worked so hard on her exams and her dance audition. On her first real day of freedom, she decides she wants to go to the beach with her friends. Her mother insists that she takes her brother with her.That is where Jenna's life and dazzling future begins to crumble. What happens on the beach that day changes the rest of her life.
I had never heard of Valerie Mendes before picking up this book, but after reading it in two sittings, I will definitely be exploring her other young adult books. This book is gritty and real. It deals with loss, grieving followed by renewal of spirit. Jenna really suffers in this book. When she got her dance placement, her mother was dead set against her going. So when everything goes wrong for the family, her mother is insistent that she gives up her dreams to help her father run the family business. It is so sad to watch such a promising star give up her dream and you cannot help but feel sorry for her. Although Jenna isn't the type of character who would want your pity. She becomes a strong female lead in the book and eventually gets back on the right path.
My only niggle with this book is that I felt there were a couple of important scenes within the book that were glazed over a bit. I can't tell you what ones they were as that will spoil it for you, should you decide to read it. It just felt that these things were skimmed over rather than showing the true emotions of the family. It may have been because the book was written for a YA audience and it was felt that too much grief would not suit the teenage market. If that is the case, then I do think that they have underestimated the teenage audience.
On the whole, I really did enjoy this book, which is a rather slim book that won't take you long to devour. This book deals with real life issues that keep you seated for a resolve in the situation. It deals with coming to terms with difficult situations and learning to move on with your life. A great evening's read.
I had never heard of Valerie Mendes before picking up this book, but after reading it in two sittings, I will definitely be exploring her other young adult books. This book is gritty and real. It deals with loss, grieving followed by renewal of spirit. Jenna really suffers in this book. When she got her dance placement, her mother was dead set against her going. So when everything goes wrong for the family, her mother is insistent that she gives up her dreams to help her father run the family business. It is so sad to watch such a promising star give up her dream and you cannot help but feel sorry for her. Although Jenna isn't the type of character who would want your pity. She becomes a strong female lead in the book and eventually gets back on the right path.
My only niggle with this book is that I felt there were a couple of important scenes within the book that were glazed over a bit. I can't tell you what ones they were as that will spoil it for you, should you decide to read it. It just felt that these things were skimmed over rather than showing the true emotions of the family. It may have been because the book was written for a YA audience and it was felt that too much grief would not suit the teenage market. If that is the case, then I do think that they have underestimated the teenage audience.
On the whole, I really did enjoy this book, which is a rather slim book that won't take you long to devour. This book deals with real life issues that keep you seated for a resolve in the situation. It deals with coming to terms with difficult situations and learning to move on with your life. A great evening's read.
August 24, 2013
By Daisy
Sixteen-year-old Jenna Pascoe lives in St. Ives, Cornwall, with her parents and younger brother Benjie. She has always dreamed of being a dancer and is finally accepted into a world-class dancing Academy. However, her controlling mother has a very different future in mind for her, one full of labour and no ambition. Then it all changes.
On a restful trip to the beach with Benjie, Jenna falls asleep but awakes to a tragedy that will change her life forever.
Suddenly, with Benjie gone, the family's life is shattered. Mum is depressed. Dad is overworked. Jenna is forced to give up her career.
Until a mysterious stranger turns up. Someone who understands the blow of loss. Someone who was there for Jenna on the day of the tragedy. And someone who is strangely connected to her brother's fate....
This book was a gripping and compelling read. It was well-written and beautifully descriptive. However, my only complaint (which is not so much a complaint as a nitpick) is that some of the characters spoke the way only a narrator would speak usually. For example:
"Two of the boys picked me up and carried me to the shore, shoulder high, over the rocks, screaming with laughter."
This quote comes from a twelve-year-old relating a story to Jenna. Yes, the book is in the third person.
Sixteen-year-old Jenna Pascoe lives in St. Ives, Cornwall, with her parents and younger brother Benjie. She has always dreamed of being a dancer and is finally accepted into a world-class dancing Academy. However, her controlling mother has a very different future in mind for her, one full of labour and no ambition. Then it all changes.
On a restful trip to the beach with Benjie, Jenna falls asleep but awakes to a tragedy that will change her life forever.
Suddenly, with Benjie gone, the family's life is shattered. Mum is depressed. Dad is overworked. Jenna is forced to give up her career.
Until a mysterious stranger turns up. Someone who understands the blow of loss. Someone who was there for Jenna on the day of the tragedy. And someone who is strangely connected to her brother's fate....
This book was a gripping and compelling read. It was well-written and beautifully descriptive. However, my only complaint (which is not so much a complaint as a nitpick) is that some of the characters spoke the way only a narrator would speak usually. For example:
"Two of the boys picked me up and carried me to the shore, shoulder high, over the rocks, screaming with laughter."
This quote comes from a twelve-year-old relating a story to Jenna. Yes, the book is in the third person.
October 21, 2022
Good read for any age, not very difficult. Quite a nice plot though with nothing really to it, no meat in the bone. Instantly you hate Jenna’s mum and I don’t think the end justifies the way she treated Jenna throughout the book. Overall though a decent read.
July 17, 2015
This was an excellent read! I read it all in one sitting.
October 15, 2015
good read.written quite childlike. could have had a lot more meat to the bones of this book. good plot which could have been developed. good quick holiday read x
October 16, 2015
In love with this book. Valerie mended is amazing, she gave me the book for Christmas ( close family friend ) such an amazing writing and lovely book
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews