Swim That Rock is a book by John Rocco, a children's author/illustrator, and Jay Primiano, former Charlestown Parks & Recreation Director.

[8] The novel was inspired by the shared experiences of the two authors John Rocco and Jay Primiano, both of whom grew up in Rhode Island.

[10] Primiano became a poet, living in Jamestown, Rhode Island; Rocco pursued a career as a children's book illustrator (and later, author) and moved to Los Angeles, California.

[6][10] Living far apart, the two first collaborated via email, with Primiano sending approximately 4000 words a day to Rocco for him to "cull through...[and] pick out the literary pearls".

They had difficulty securing a publisher until Rocco spoke to Candlewick Press president Karen Lotz, who finally took up the book.

[13][14] The tour included a launch party, book signings at regional booksellers, and visits to local middle schools where the authors (clad in fluorescent orange waders) explained the principles behind clamming.

[7][2][15] The book takes place in Warren, Rhode Island, in 1982, and centers around 14-year-old Jake Cole's quest to find his father, who went missing at sea.

The Cole family owns a small diner called the Riptide, but is in danger of losing the business because of a large debt owed to a local mafia loan shark.

After a run of bad luck, Jake resorts to illegal night-fishing with a mysterious man called "Captain", but must contend with a game warden paid off by the mob.

"[15] A review by Publishers Weekly similarly remarked on the book's familiar "framework", but praised its "overall sense of authenticity" for helping readers better relate to the young Jake Cole.