Deepwater Creek

Gr 6-9–Wade and Andrew’s father brings the competitive young brothers, along with friends Camilla and Tommy, out for an end-of-summer fishing trip. The fishing is great until it isn’t. The boys snag an enormous fish, which sends Andrew overboard where he catches a glimpse of a Lovecraftian monster before almost drowning. He is slow to recover—too slow for Wade, who is determined to find the giant fish that escaped them, pressuring Andrew to join the group, minus Dad, for a clandestine fishing expedition. Wade, Ahab-like in his singular quest to find the elusive trophy fish, ignores warning after warning; he is convinced that catching the fish will bring Andrew peace. Andrew has seemingly developed a psychic connection to the monster that brings on worsening mental and physical symptoms the closer they get to it. The crew of middle schoolers must rely on their wits, friendship, and tenuous grasp of boating as they encounter one terrifying experience after another, challenging what they think they know about the world and one another. Regina’s effortless watercolor illustrations combine seamlessly with easy-to-read lettering. Endearing characters and genuine scares make this an excellent choice for both reluctant and more advanced readers. Wade and Andrew have pale skin, Tommy is Black, and Camilla is white.