Cerulean is a free spirit caught in a higher schooler body. they've lived their whole live encouraged and supported to be themselves by two amazing parents and a great support network. Unfortunately, high school is all about conforming and following rules and regulations, even if these rules don't make any sense at all. With six months to go before graduation, Cerulean is counting the days before they get to leave their public school and fulfill their desire of living off the grid with friends, away from the capitalist system that has undermined their lives and that of their community.
Cerulean is particularly resentful of her English teacher, who seems to have it out for them, calling them the wrong name and making insinuating remarks that they are not as smart as they think they are. During a high stake test, despite being warned not to leave, Cerulean finds themself suffering a bathroom emergency, so they sneak out of the room and return a few minutes later. Unfortunately, their teacher noticed their absence, and Cerulean's test is shredded and thrown in the trash. This send Cerulean over the edge, and they have a very robust verbal exchange with the teacher that earns them an out of school suspension for three weeks.
Not wanting to deal with the consequences, Cerulean stops attending school. Why put off their dream when they could start it now? What's the point of school anyway? But the money Cerulean had saved for their future is suddenly needed when their father, the rock of the family, suffers a catastrophic injury in his restaurant, with massive burns on his body, and equally massive medical bills. Cerulean's funds are now needed to keep the family afloat. With all of these obstacles in their way, can Cerulean still pursue the future they have been dreaming of?
A novel in verse, Salt the Water explores nonbinary representation of African-Americans and the measures that must sometimes be taken to prevent others from silencing one's voice. Containing a severe critique of a school system unable or unwilling to accommodate the realities lived by their students, the book offers a gritty portrayal of life in an urban school and what it means to not belong.
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