I received a free copy of "Sinking deeper: or my questionable (possibly heroic) decision to invent a sea monster" from the Early Review program. Though intended for children, this chapter book is a quick, fun read for an adult with a story that can be appreciated by all.

Roland McTavish is a 14 year-old boy living in Deeper Harbour, Nova Scotia--a small village that doesn't have much to offer the world. Roland's parents have divorced and his mother wants to move to Ottawa. In his desperation, Roland concocts a sea monster with the help of his grandfather Angus, best friend Dulsie and her father Warren in the hopes he can revive the village's tourism and give his mother a reason to stay put. But like many cockamamie schemes, things quickly spiral out of control and Roland must face something far worse than moving or monsters.

This book was a treat to read--funny, poignant and moving. The tone was reminiscent of Brian Doyle's novels, which I read as a child. Vernon genuinely captured the atmosphere and character of small town life and I cheered for and cried with Roland throughout. ( )

Sinking Deeper OR My awesome brilliant Questionable Heroic Decision to Invent a Sea Monster could be called hilarious, or it could be called reminiscent of younger days – for those of us who are old enough to have “younger days” and who found themselves in impossible situations, or it could be called adventurous, or … well, you get the picture. This book is all of the above and more.

Steve Vernon, known for his very creative storytelling, has written this enjoyable story based in the fictional laid-back fishing community of Deeper Harbour, Nova Scotia. His main character, who is relating the adventure, is a fourteen-year-old boy trying to do the right thing, but – as a member of a rather dysfunctional but loveable family – he is persuaded to do the unusual and ofttimes the outlandish, by his two best friends – one being his grandfather!And it’s his grandfather who adds the most to the craziness.

The emotional thread is that this teen boy, whose name is Roland, is determined to find a way to stay in Deeper Harbour. His parents are divorcing and his mother has decided to move to Ottawa, Ontario, taking him along. He has to do something to change her mind. What he ends up doing is creating a sea monster, but – through events that grow and grow – what transpires is far greater than anything he ever could have imagined.

I would like to tell you more but I don’t want to spoil it for you. What I will say is Steve Vernon included everything – humour, adventure, suspense, sadness, mystery, hilarity, unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader involved, and did I say it’s funny? It’s funny.

I urge you to add this action-filled, entertaining book to your ‘to be read’ pile. It’s great for middle-grade readers right on up to, and including, grandmas. (I very much enjoyed it. :) ) Its short chapters are very convenient when one does not have much time to read in one sitting, but you really won’t want the time between readings to be long.

This book has been noticed in high places and has been short-listed for the Silver Birches award for children's fiction. ( )

A sweet little comedic tale of a teen who colludes with his crusty granddad and best friend against his dad (sometimes), the chief of police in his small town. The book chronicles his desperate quest to make his small town more interesting to prevent having to leave with his mom to Ottawa. Hence the sudden appearance of a sea monster and the hijinks that follow. ( )

To avoid being separated from his father by a mom who wants to move with him to Ottawa, Roland must prove that life is worth living in isolated, forgettable Deeper Harbour. So he teams up with his wildly eccentric grandfather, his quirky best friend and her father to create a sea monster in order to attract tourists and put his small Maritime hometown on the map.

Told in the funny, age-appropriate, and empathetic voice of Roland, this book is a winner for preteens. Young readers will be engaged by the well-paced story, which is unexpectedly mature and sophisticated given the subject, and will revel in the bizarre situations the characters get themselves into. This is a book that kids, parents and teachers can all appreciate.

Faced with the possibility of having to leave his beloved Deeper Harbour, Nova Scotia and move to the city of Ottawa, 14-year-old Roland contrives a plan to bring the dying town back to life. By creating a sea monster to entice tourists to visit the small maritime fishing village, Roland hopes to influence his mother to change her mind.

Coloured with a cast of loveable misfit characters and an assortment of down-east coloquialisms, this is a tale which has it all - humour, love, determination, human spirit, and tragedy. There were a number of profound quotes that really reflected on life's ordeals and making our own destiny. Granddad Angus' love of tea made me think back to my time spent in PEI....The recipe for a good cup of maritimer's tea - a clear glass teapot, left to brew (not steep) on the stove all day, with numerous teabags to which water and another tea bag were added as required.

Like Roland, the story seems to mature as it progresses. At the beginning, I felt that the simple sentence structure and humourous plot were aimed more for a primary/junior (Grade 3 to 5) reading audience; however, as the story progressed, the theme and style of writing seemed to evolve into something more complex and suitable for the middle school age and young teens.

With the number of shenanigans that Roland and Granddad Angus get into, it's a good thing that they are related to the Mayor and the Chief of Police.

A fun read with a touching ending. ( )