A story of courage and loyalty as Crimea falls under occupation, Swimming With Spies follows Sofiya’s fight to protect her beloved dolphins in a gripping tale inspired by real events.
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In this edition of Knyzka Corner, we will be discussing Swimming With Spies, a novel for young readers by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger.
Swimming With Spies is set in 2014 Sevastopol, Crimea and is based on the true story of Ukraine’s dolphins being confiscated by Russia for military purposes. 12-year-old Sofiya has a close relationship with her father who is manager of a dolphinarium. Her father is dealing with his own angst because his Russian wife has abandoned the family. Sofiya also lives with her Baba, a scientist who inspires her future career choices. Sofia loves her life in Crimea, “Our hearts are here. This is our home. These dolphins are my family.” (p. 35) However, her life is complicated by Russian schoolyard bullies led by her former friend Ilya Ilyich. When the Russian government under Vladimir Putin annexes Crimea from Ukraine, Sofia is devastated.
As the annexation evolves, Sofia must deal with changes to the political situation in Crimea, as well as fearing that the new Russian leaders will shut down the dolphinarium. Before her Ukrainian father took over, the dolphins had been used by the Russians for military purposes such as spying on Ukrainian ships and planting mines. In an effort to save her father’s job, Sofia and her friends co-operate on a summer youth camp project at the dolphinarium to promote awareness of marine biology and communication with the dolphins. Sofia involves her friends Cedric and Anya, but because of a fight at school, she must also involve her bullying classmate Ilya. Despite the expansion of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the young people come to respect each other’s point of view.
Sofiya is a very powerful character who deals with a great deal of uncertainty and emotional anguish in her life. She is an excellent communicator, a caring friend, and a capable caregiver for her beloved dolphins. She is an intelligent and ambitious young lady, “Carefully observing, then neatly categorizing and labeling everything, is how a scientist makes sense of what she sees around her. Which is why I am going to be one Dr. Sofiya Oleksandrivna Len, Veterinarian.” (p.3) Sofia must deal with the changes that come with the loss of her mother, and the Russian annexation. At school, the Ukrainian language is replaced by Russian, and her favourite teacher, Miss Yvette, is forced to leave her job. However, despite all these issues, Sofiya manages to stay strong, empathetic, and courageous. She uses her artistic and scientific skills to help save the dolphin pod. Under her father’s leadership, the dolphins were being used as therapy animals, but with the annexation, Russians wanted to make them military marine animals once again.
This young adult novel deals with many important themes including: the annexation of Crimea by Russia, bullying, friendship, empathy, family relationships, change, and marine biology. The writer has done incredible research into dolphins and their capabilities. Readers will learn a great deal about how these wonderful mammals communicate. The strength of this novel is its examination of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine during the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Despite this conflict, Lucyk-Berger tells a story of cooperation and friendship between young people who rise above political differences to work for a common cause. While working to save the dolphins, Sofia tells her friends, “Razom…We work together.” (p. 221) Even Ilya, the former bully, states, “And no matter what side you were born on…you can still decide when something feels wrong. This occupation is just wrong” (p. 227) This is a hopeful look at the future of Ukraine. Readers who are interested in Ukrainian political history, marine biology, and cultural conflicts will definitely enjoy this book!
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She wrote short stories and travel narratives before working as a journalist and editor. In 2005, she started writing historical fiction and has not looked back since. Her Reschen Valley series is based on South Tyrolean-Italian conflict during the interwar period. This series includes: No Man’s Land, Bolzano and Two Fatherlands. Her more recent works include: Souvenirs from Kiev and The Girl from the Mountains.
Chrystyna’s stories have won several awards including the 2020 IPPY Book Award and the HNS International Short Story Award. She writes her historical fiction novels at her home in Austria.
Swimming with Spies examines the annexation of Crimea in 2014 through the eyes of young people who must decide whether they will live in a world of hate or compassion. As Sofiya’s teacher states, “If you want to change something, then you need to stay and help make that change. Loud enough that your leaders hear you. You make sure changes happen.” (p. 138)
Swimming with Spies is available at Chapters/Indigo and Amazon. (affiliate link)
–Reviewed and narrated by Myra Junyk
Lucyk-Berger, Chrystyna.
SWIMMING WITH SPIES.
Scholastic Press, 2024. 267 p. ISBN 978-1-339-01246-9
Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Reviewed by Myra Junyk
