“Soul of a Swimmer is an incredibly touching and beautiful story written by Carla Albano. The narrative tells the true story of Nicholas Dworet, a promising champion swimmer from Florida who was tragically killed in a school shooting at the age of 17. The author compiled the story following a series of interviews with Nicholas’s friends and family members, and within the book, she explores all aspects of Nicholas’s life. She looks at events ranging from the origins of how his parents met to his conquests as a young athlete with aspirations of competing in the Olympics.

Due to the subject matter, and the obvious conclusion of the story, it was devastating to read about this amazing young man’s life. Reading about how adored he was by his family and countless others, and seeing him develop and grow his skill and strength throughout the novel, was gripping and interesting, yet bittersweet, tinged with tragedy. Considering this, it’s clear that the author took great care to paint Nicholas and his family in the most respective and loving light. The story was written with careful awareness of the tragic nature of the situation and hopeful optimism that makes the narrative incredibly charming and easygoing.

Regarding Albano’s writing style, I found her prose to be fantastically detailed, with great attention to developing both the setting and the characters. She presents everything in such a great way that the story feels more vibrant and dynamic. Overall this story was enjoyable to read, filled with interesting details about Nicholas’s passion for swimming and his life in general.

Soul of a Swimmer is a fascinating book that pays great respect to Nicholas’s memory as an extraordinarily talented athlete, a kind and loving gentleman, and an exceptionally adored son. It was a charming story and a pleasure to read and learn about the life of a young man brimming with potential, so sadly taken from this Earth long before his time.”

— Literary Titan

“A debut biographical work offers a tribute to a teenage victim of a school shooting.

Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Dworet was one of the 17 murder victims of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In this touching book, centered on Dworet’s “memory and legacy,” the description of that tragic day is barely given a page. Rather than focusing on his death, the work instead celebrates his life as a son, a brother, a friend, and an accomplished swimmer. Indeed, it was Dworet’s athletic career as a swimmer that inspired Albano, a record-holding professional swimmer from nearby Fort Lauderdale, to tell his story. Based on firsthand interviews with Dworet’s family, friends, and coaches, the volume provides readers an intimate look into his short life. Born a “little fish,” Dworet loved water before he could even articulate sentences, and was hailed by swimming program instructors as a “future star” by age 7. The stories include good-natured, occasionally funny, personal anecdotes from those who knew and loved him; nostalgic descriptions of family traditions; and exciting accounts of Dworet’s races. These tales, in addition to the inclusion of Dworet’s own writing (such as social media posts and essays like “My Mistakes Are My Strengths” written for school projects), form a concise, poignant account that honors his life without dwelling on his tragic death. Ample family photographs, in addition to QR codes linked to videos of swim meets, effectively acquaint readers with Dworet’s big heart, athleticism, and infectiously optimistic personality. The book’s ancillary materials include a heartbreaking letter written by Dworet’s mother to her son less than a year after his murder, detailing the yellowing Post-it notes and fortunes from Chinese cookies still affixed to his closet door and the “thoughts I need to share with you and conversations we never got to have.” The work, whose proceeds will be donated to the Nicholas Dworet Memorial Trust, concludes with songs (such as “We Want Change” by rapper Hi-Rez) and other memorials dedicated to the swimmer. These additions, combined with Albano’s emotive writing style, make for a stirring tribute. 

A powerfully written, fitting eulogy for a life cut short.”

— Kirkus Reviews