The Night Swimmers

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The Night Swimmers
The Night Swimmers (Book Cover).jpeg
Author Betsy Byars
Illustrator Troy Howell
LanguageEnglish
Genre Children's literature
Publisher Delacorte Press
Publication date
 April 30, 1980
Publication placeUnited States
Pages131
Awards National Book Award for Young People's Literature (1981)
ISBN 0174324308

The Night Swimmers is a 1980 children's novel written by American author Betsy Byars and illustrated by Troy Howell. The novel follows 12-year-old Retta, who cares for her siblings after her mother dies, while their father attempts to succeed as a country singer. At night, the children sneak into their neighbor's pool.

Contents

The Night Swimmers won the 1981 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

Plot summary

After their mother dies in a plane crash, 12-year-old Retta assumes the parenting responsibilities for her younger brothers, Johnny and Roy, as their neglectful father, Shorty, works nights trying to make it as a country singer. While their father is at work, Retta sneaks her brothers to swim in their neighbor's pool. One night, while Retta is trailing Johnny and a friend, Roy almost drowns in the pool, but is rescued by their neighbor, who contacts Shorty, leading to a confrontation. The children learn that Shorty and Brendelie, Shorty's girlfriend, are going to get married, and Retta is relieved that she won't have to mother her siblings any longer. [1]

Reception

The book won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in the hardcover fiction category in 1981, [2] [3] Byars' first win after having been a finalist in 1973 for The House of Wings . [4] Kirkus Reviews called the book "a solidly realized story" and "acutely perceptive and crystal clear". [5]

References

  1. ↑ Stein, Ruth M. (1980). "BOOK reMARKS: A Personal View of Current Juvenile Literature". Language Arts. 57 (6): 645–652. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  2. ↑ "The Night Swimmers". National Book Foundation . Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  3. ↑ Slotnik, Daniel E. (March 17, 2020). "Betsy Byers, 91, author of award-winning children's books". The Buffalo News . Retrieved December 25, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "The House of Wings". National Book Foundation . Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  5. ↑ "The Night Swimmers". Kirkus Reviews . April 1, 1980. Retrieved December 24, 2025.


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