Alex (1987)

by Tessa Duder

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Alex Archer (1)

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169	4	163,183	(4.04)	10
Fifteen-year-old Alex struggles to overcome personal trauma and hardship as she competes with her arch rival for a place on the New Zealand swimming team participating in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.

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This is the story of Alex, a fictional New Zealand swimming champion in the 1950s. Alex is on a mission to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rome. Along her journey she will fall in love and know the pain and heartache when someone dear to you dies too young. Alex faces intense competition from her swimming rival, Maggie, and her overbearing mother, but with her supportive family and much hard work and dedication she just may be able to achieve her goals. Tessa Duder has written an insightful book, a true reflection of the inner turmoil that is the teenager's lot - not to mention the pressure of one whose every success - and failure - is held up to public scrutiny. Very good read. (

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DebbieMcCauley | Apr 1, 2012 |

Great characterisation. Final swim a recurring framing device. Main character a very confident, balanced person in herself despite overheard comments about "not fitting in" and Andy's death. (

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BGarriock | Dec 17, 2009 |

Great book, and the movie does the book justice. (

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pippi-longstockings | Oct 2, 2008 |

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wegan | Apr 5, 2007 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Tessa Duder	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Stahl, Ben F.	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Series

Alex Archer (1)

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book Awards (Winner – Esther Glen Award – 1988)

New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults (Winner – Childrens' Book of the Year – 1988)

Notable Lists

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009.0912, 2009, Ages 12↑)

Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection – 1990)

CCBC Choices (1989)

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Canonical title

Alex

Original title

Alternative titles

In Lane Three, Alex Archer

Original publication date

People/Characters

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Important events

Related movies

Alex (1993)

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Disambiguation notice

originally published as 'Alex' in New Zealand, later published (in the US?) as 'In Lane Three, Alex Archer'

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▾Book descriptions

Fifteen-year-old Alex struggles to overcome personal trauma and hardship as she competes with her arch rival for a place on the New Zealand swimming team participating in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.

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Book description

'I have always known that in another life I was-or will be-a dolphin. I am a pink human, caught in a net of ambition and years of hard work. In a few minutes I will dive into artificially turquoise water waiting at my feet. A minute later I'll either be ecstatic or a failure.'

Fifteen-year-old swimming champ Alex Archer has her mind set on one goal-competing in the Olympic Games in Rome. Alex has been training hard for six years--but so has her archrival, Maggie Benton.

Maggie isn't the only obstacle Alex must overcome. She's spread herself too thin at school, and at home she's worried about her grandmother's failing health. She needs complete concentration for the competition, but it's becoming harder to give her all. Then, her handsome boyfriend, Andy is in a terrible accident. Even if Alex can deal with all these unforeseen problems, can she beat Maggie to make it to the Olympic Games?

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