It Came from the Creek - by Amy Sarig King (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the award-winning author of ATTACK OF THE BLACK RECTANGLES, a novel about standing up to bullies -- whether they're kids or adults.

There's something in the water. It smells really bad. It's a strange color. And it's making people sick.

Katy and her best friend Joel can tell something is going wrong in their town. They decide to document it, trying to solve the mystery of what's going on. Someone is dumping toxic waste in places it shouldn't go... and even when he's told to stop, he goes ahead and keeps dumping it anyway.

Both in school and outside of it, Kate and Joel are learning that bullies do what they do because they think they can get away with it, because they think they're bigger than the rules. There has to be a way to make them stop... but it just might take a whole town coming together in order to do it.

Review Quotes

Praise for Attack of the Black Rectangles:

* "A must-have." -- School Library Journal, starred review

* "Poignant, humorous, and bright... a beacon of hope." -- Booklist, starred review

* "Searingly relevant." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Such a satisfying read." -- The New York Times Book Review

Praise for Me and Marvin Gardens:

A Spring 2017 Kid's Indie Next List selection

A Washington Post Best Book of the Year

A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

A Texas Bluebonnet Master List selection

* "A provocative exploration of human action and interaction on both local and global levels, as well as the interplay between past, present, and future, King's novel will leave readers pondering how we treat each other and the planet. " -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A smart, environmentally conscious underdog story with a lot of heart.... The characters are rewardingly complex. Through Obe, King asks the Big Questions alongside the smaller, more personal ones in a way that will likely have readers doing the same." -- The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

* "A coming-of-age novel with a fully developed and authentic protagonist. An emotionally rich read for a wide audience, especially those interested in keeping the planet alive and well for future generations." -- School Library Journal, starred review

"Mystical, fablelike... just right for a sensitive sixth-grader with a growing self- and world awareness trying to navigate the troubled waters of uncertain friendships and demeaning bullying. A finely wrought, magical coming-of-age tale with a convincing message." -- Kirkus Reviews

"This is acclaimed YA author King's first foray into middle-grade territory, and it's no surprise that she adeptly handles issues like bullying, compromised friendship, complex family dynamics, and the tedium of homework... Drawing upon the tradition of Carl Hiaasen's Hoot (2002), this eco-focused story will tug at readers' consciences and heartstrings." -- Booklist

About the Author

Amy Sarig King is the author of the middle-grade novels Me and Marvin Gardens, The Year We Fell from Space, and Attack of the Black Rectangles. She has also published many critically acclaimed young adult novels under the name A. S. King, including Please Ignore Vera Dietz, which was named a Michael L. Printz Honor Book; Ask the Passengers, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize; Michael L. Printz Award winner and LA Times Book Prize finalist Dig; and the collection The Collectors, which also won the Michael L. Printz Award. After many years farming abroad, she now lives back in southeastern Pennsylvania with her family. Visit her website at www.as-king.com.