Boss of the Pool facts for kids
Boss of the Pool is a children's book written by Australian author Robin Klein. It's also the name of a play based on the book, created by Scottish-Australian playwright Mary Morris.
The story is about a teenage girl named Shelley. During her summer holidays, Shelley has to go to work with her mother. Her mom works at a place for people with disabilities. There, Shelley meets a boy named Ben. Ben really likes Shelley, but he is very scared of water. Shelley decides to help Ben learn to swim and overcome his fear.
The Book: Boss of the Pool
First edition
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| Author | Robin Klein |
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| Language | English |
| Genre | Book |
| Publisher | Omnibus in association with Penguin |
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Publication date
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1986 |
The book Boss of the Pool was first published in 1986. It explores important topics like understanding people with disabilities and the importance of literacy (being able to read and write). Many books and studies about these topics mention Boss of the Pool.
A review from Kirkus magazine highly praised the book. It said the story honestly shows how kids might feel scared or even unkind when they meet people who are different. But it also shows how they can learn to understand and accept them.
Some people compare Boss of the Pool to classic books like Beverly Cleary's Henry Huggins and Ramona Quimby stories. These books often feature young characters who are learning to become more independent.
Author Susanne Gervay mentioned Boss of the Pool as an example of children's books becoming more realistic. She noted that the book "sensitively" deals with "intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties."
Not all reviews were the same. A reviewer for the School Library Journal thought Shelley was not a very likable character. They found the book "too dreary." However, a reviewer for the Canberra Times felt that Shelley's emotional growth was shown well.
Another writer, Jenny Kendrick, described Boss of the Pool as a "caring narrative." This means it's a story where the main character, Shelley, becomes a better person because of her experiences. Even though Ben's character helps Shelley grow, the book still shows care for everyone.
Teaching guides have been created to help teachers use this book in classrooms.
Awards and Recognition
The National Library of New Zealand lists Boss of the Pool as a "classic" in "young fiction."
The book is also part of the KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Hall of Fame. This means it's a very popular book chosen by Australian children.
The Play: Boss of the Pool
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| Author | Mary Morris |
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| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Play |
| Publisher | Currency Press |
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Publication date
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1993 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-0-86819-355-7 |
Boss of the Pool is also a play. It was written by Scottish-Australian playwright Mary Morris. The play is an adaptation, meaning it's based on the original book by Robin Klein.
Parts of the play have been used in studies about how young Australians find and use information.
