DEEPWATER CREEK

Two brothers face growing pains alongside supernatural forces after a fishing trip takes an unexpected turn.

After Hurricane Howard churns up the waters of the Enoch River, brothers Wade and Andrew prepare to head out on the water with their father and their best friends, Camilla and Tommy. The group decides to fish farther down the river than they ever have before, venturing into mysterious fog in search of more fish. When a river monster takes their bait, causing a swell that washes Andrew into the depths of the river, Wade dives in after him. Although he rescues his brother from the water, Andrew appears to be changed. Becoming withdrawn, he refuses to leave his bed, even turning down fishing trips. Wade, determined to help Andrew face his fears, finally convinces him to get back out on the water. The brothers and their friends decide to hunt down the river monster once and for all, and what they discover will test not only the boundaries of science and the order of their natural world, but also the bonds among them. The boy’s mother is cued as Brazilian, and their father reads white and American. Rich watercolors lend softness and motion to the otherwise-gritty scenery. The subtext of a mental health struggle is explored metaphorically through Andrew’s battle with the river monster.

Nonstop action threaded with heartfelt emotion offers a satisfying reading experience.