At fifteen, Alex is a gifted and disciplined athlete, competing against her arch-rival, Maggie Benton, for a spot on New Zealand's swim team at the 1960 Rome Olympics. The pressures of fame and competition weigh heavily on Alex, as does personal tragedy when her best friend is struck and killed by a drunken driver. But strength, integrity and an intense desire to be Number One push Alex inexorably forward in her quest for success. The novelist's first-hand experiences as a champion swimmer on New Zealand's national team enrich her detailed descriptions of practice sessions and swim meets. Fine characterization and excellent pacing combine to create a compelling story. (Age 12 and older)

'I have always known that in another life I was-or will be-a dolphin. I am a pink human, caught in a net of ambition and years of hard work. In a few minutes I will dive into artificially turquoise water waiting at my feet. A minute later I'll either be ecstatic or a failure.'

Fifteen-year-old swimming champ Alex Archer has her mind set on one goal-competing in the Olympic Games in Rome. Alex has been training hard for six years--but so has her archrival, Maggie Benton.

Maggie isn't the only obstacle Alex must overcome. She's spread herself too thin at school, and at home she's worried about her grandmother's failing health. She needs complete concentration for the competition, but it's becoming harder to give her all. Then, her handsome boyfriend, Andy is in a terrible accident. Even if Alex can deal with all these unforeseen problems, can she beat Maggie to make it to the Olympic Games?

"Well-developed, realistic, three-dimensional characters flesh out this novel about competitive swimming and adolescence... Duder's fresh writing style hooks readers from the outset."-- "School Library Journal."