Below

Twelve-year-old Cassie lives in a town that was flooded to create a reservoir. Her old community lies underwater, submerged on purpose to make way for the dam. Cassie swims above the drowned town daily, aware that her former home rests in the depths below. As the region faces a drought and the water levels drop, remnants of the old town begin to surface. The emergence of the old town sets Cassie on a path to uncover secrets about her community's past. Her investigation leads her to question what she knows about the flooding, her own history, and the stories she's been told. This coming-of-age story explores themes of memory, truth, and how the past shapes our understanding of ourselves. McKinlay examines what happens when hidden things rise to the surface and a young person confronts the complexities of her world.

Readers highlight the book's haunting atmosphere and skillful buildup of tension. Multiple reviews note that McKinlay excels at revealing information gradually, making readers piece together the mystery alongside the protagonist. Positives: - Strong sense of place and underwater imagery - Complex family relationships - Theme of grief handled with sensitivity - Effective use of flashbacks Negatives: - Some found the pacing too slow in the first half - A few readers wanted more resolution at the ending - Young age of protagonist (12) but mature themes led to confusion about target audience Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (80+ ratings) "The writing is lyrical without being overdone," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon review states: "The mystery kept me guessing but the emotional core of the story - dealing with loss - resonated most." Multiple reviewers compare the atmosphere to Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me.

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💧 The town of Cassie's childhood was deliberately flooded to create a reservoir, leaving the old buildings submerged beneath the water - this plot element was inspired by real "drowned towns" that exist around the world. 🏊‍♀️ Author Meg McKinlay was a competitive swimmer in her youth, which helped her write authentically about Cassie's swimming experiences and connection to water. 🌊 The book explores themes of memory and loss through the metaphor of water - what lies beneath the surface, both literally and emotionally. 🏘️ Several real-life examples of submerged towns exist, including Lake Mead's St. Thomas in Nevada, which occasionally becomes visible during drought conditions. 📚 "Below" won the Children's Book Council of Australia's Notable Book Award and was shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.