Talk under water by Kathryn Lomer

University of Queensland Press, 2015. ISBN 9780702253690
(Age: Teens) Recommended. Will and Summer meet online and strike up a friendship based on coincidence. Summer lives in Will's old hometown, Kettering, a small Tasmanian coastal community. Both Will and Summer are missing a parent and needing a friend.
Summer isn't telling the whole truth about herself, but figures it doesn't matter if they never see each other in person, right? When Will returns to Kettering, the two finally meet and Summer can no longer hide her secret. Can Summer and Will still find a way to be friends? (Publisher)
Witnessing Will and Summer meet for the first time in person was certainly not what I had anticipated at all, although it was very entertaining. The blossoming rollercoaster relationship between Will and Summer was incredibly beautiful and so sweetly unique; how much Will was doing for Summer by learning sign language and Summer being able to open herself up to someone about her father.
Both characters were beautifully created and continued to develop in a realistic manner whereas many books rush the character development. Will and Summer caused the readers to feel their emotions, but not exaggerated emotions; realistic emotions.
The storyline was one that I have not seen before but it was very interesting and adventurous as it was mostly based around the Tasmanian coast. The cover gives the reader almost a sense of wonder through Will and Summer being underwater but also the sea creatures added to create that feeling of being underwater.
I also adored how the author incorporated the explanations of some sign language words, it got me trying them out myself; plus the sign language alphabet at the back of the book has me very intrigued!
I would recommend this book to readers 16+ who love a book that will make you think and allow you to not only to discover a whole new language but also to witness what online meetings can turn into when you meet in person - the person isn't always as they seem.
Jemma Hadley (Student)