At a Glance
- Jacqueline Friedland’s next novel, Breathing Under Water, arrives Aug. 4
- The story follows a college swimmer and a 16-year-old autistic boy whose lives intertwine
- Friedland drew on her mother’s autism work and extensive research on college homelessness
- Why it matters: The book spotlights under-discussed struggles of students and neurodivergent teens
An unlikely bond between a college athlete on the brink of losing everything and a teenager on the spectrum anchors Jacqueline Friedland’s upcoming novel, Breathing Under Water, set for release on Aug. 4 from Harper Muse.
Plot Overview
McKenna, a university swimmer, sees her scholarship slip away as personal pressures mount. To stay afloat, she begins teaching swim lessons to children with autism, where she meets 16-year-old Leo. His mother, Berry, faces a promotion that could upend her family’s stability. Their worlds collide in ways none of them anticipate.
“As Berry and McKenna’s paths converge in the most unexpected way, they discover that sometimes the people who need saving the most are the ones who end up saving you,” the synopsis states.
Themes and Inspiration
Friedland, whose previous works include Counting Backwards, Trouble the Water, and That’s Not a Thing, says the novel explores:
- Unexpected connection
- Motherhood and sacrifice
- The need to be seen and understood
“Having grown up with a mother who was a pioneer in the field of autism, I’ve always been drawn to stories about being seen and understood,” Friedland tells News Of Losangeles. “This book reflects that lifelong influence, and my belief in the transformative power of unexpected connection.”
Research Process
The author layered her writing with interviews and expert consultation across several areas:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Division I college athletics
- Dementia
- Housing insecurity and homelessness among college students
“Much of the material in the book grew out of years of family experience, was deepened through interviews and expert input, and was shaped by careful fact-checking so the emotional truth stayed true-to-life,” Friedland explains.
Publication Details
Harper Muse, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus, will publish the novel. Olivia M. Hartwell reported the exclusive first look.
Breathing Under Water is now available for preorder wherever books are sold.
Key Takeaways
- Friedland’s fourth novel weaves autism advocacy with collegiate hardship
- The Aug. 4 release continues her focus on emotionally resonant, socially conscious fiction
- Preorders are live ahead of summer publication
