Ride High with the Wave

by Sharon K. Solomon

Hiro Kojima, a Japanese American, and Ted Richman, a Jewish American, are backstroke rivals on a swim team. Hiro is the new boy in town and Ted dislikes him. But they've got a mutual problem. How do they resolve it? Ride High with the Wave by Sharon K. Solomon explores themes of teamwork, perseverance, and overcoming differences.

$7.99

Reviews

Five-Star Review from Readers’ Favorite

Ride High with the Wave by Sharon K. Solomon is a great story with meaningful lessons for young readers and great inspiration for older folks, a tale of friendship that develops through unusual circumstances. Two kids from two different backgrounds find themselves in a difficult situation as backstroke rivals on the Dolphins swim team. The two kids aren’t fond of each other. Hiro Kojima’s move from California to Pittsburgh could have been easier, except he is hated by Ted Richman. But when the swim meet date changes to Saturday, both Hiro and Ted know they may not be favored for the backstroke position as both of them are occupied on Saturday. Ted is Jewish and he attends the Sabbath on Saturdays with his family, while Hiro goes to a Japanese school on Saturdays. Follow their story as Ted and Hiro learn that they’ll need to work together, and what happens next.

Sharon K. Solomon’s story is a breezy read, filled with situations that people face in real life. I started loving this book from the moment Ted complains to his mother that Coach has changed the swim meet, explaining that the new kid would take the position. The crisis is dire for the kids and readers understand how strongly attached they are to their cultures. It is also interesting how they transition from being rivals to becoming friends working for a common cause. The family visits that they explore transport readers into the Jewish as well as the Japanese culture. The writing in Ride High with the Wave is impeccable and readers will enjoy the themes of family, friendship, and teamwork that are so well developed in the story. The characters are well-explored, too, and it doesn’t take long forreaders to love them. This novel is as entertaining as it is inspiring.

—Divine Zape for Readers’ Favorite

About the Author

Sharon K. Solomon is the author of seven published books for children including science plays, fiction and nonfiction picture books, and fiction for middle grade and teen readers. Sharon looks for ideas for books in everyday situations and in her travels. “Ideas are everywhere!” she says. Sharon loves doing research about different time periods in history. She says, “People living in other eras should not be judged by modern standards.” That is why when Sharon writes about someone who lived centuries ago she studies the way they lived. She tries to “get into the heads” of the people she writes about by considering their motivations and backgrounds.

Ride High with the Wave grew out of Sharon’s love for swimming. Her two main characters, Ted and Hiro, face a problem many have: How can I keep my heritage and still fit in with the other kids? Ted and Hiro join forces to solve their dilemma. You can learn more about Sharon and her books on her website http://www.sharonsbooks.net.