About this book
Key Selling Points A teen has to make a dangerous ocean swim to find help for his injured girlfriend. Sink or Swim explores the themes of facing your fears, survival and teamwork. This is an #ownvoices story that features a trans protagonist and touches on dealing with anxiety. The author is trans and writes fast-paced, plot-centric action adventures with diverse casts, the books they wanted to read as a queer kid and young adult. Their previous Orca Soundings title, Blood Sport, received a starred review from School Library Journal and was a Junior Library Guild selection. New, enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
Censorship history
Sink or Swim was banned or restricted in United States in 2025 for its LGBTQ+ themes and positive depiction of queer identity, as well as other. This case is part of a global pattern in which LGBTQ+ representation in literature faces disproportionate legal and institutional pressure.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | LGBTQ+Other |