Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published May 2013
224 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
Secrets have a way of floating to the surface ... Mystery, compelling characters, and an abandoned town beneath a lake make for a must-read adventure.
On the day Cassie was born, they drowned her town. The mayor flipped a lever and everyone cheered as Old Lower Grange was submerged beneath five thousand swimming pools' worth of water. Now, twelve years later, Cassie feels drawn to the manmade lake and the mysteries it hides - and she's not the only one. Her classmate Liam, who wears oversized swim trunks to cover the scars on his legs, joins Cassie in her daily swims across the off-limits side of the lake. As the summer heats up, the water drops lower and lower, offering them glimpses of the ghostly town and uncovering secrets one prominent town figure seems anxious to keep submerged. But like a swimmer who ventures too far from shore, Cassie realizes she can't turn back. Can she bring their suspicions to light before it's too late - and does she dare?
"Starred Review. A quietly intriguing meditation on history and truth. 9-12." - Kirkus
"Starred Review. A poetic sensibility shines through this coming-of-age mystery from McKinlay." - Publishers Weekly
"Readers will enjoy spending time with Cassie and Liam and will appreciate the satisfying resolution." - School Library Journal
This information about Below was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Meg McKinlay is a poet as well as a children's writer. She lives in Australia and divides her time between writing and teaching at the University of Western Australia.
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