Monster Down Deep - by Amy Fellner Dominy (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A missing diamond necklace with a million dollar reward attracts 2 beachcombing children, who instead find what could just be the discovery of the century

An uplifting middle-grade adventure perfect for fans of Jessie Burton, Hannah Gold's The Last Bear, and books by Katya Balen

I am the one they call the Monster Down Deep.
Except... I am not really a monster. I am just the Very Afraid Fish.

Somewhere off the coast of San Diego, the yacht of billionaire Clifton Royce III has capsized. While most of the vessel's belongings have been reclaimed, one piece remains lost: a 74-carat diamond necklace, worth over $50 million dollars. And for the person who finds this gem, there is a $1 million reward up for grabs.

No one is more determined to find the necklace than 11-year-old Cassie Stein. Her dad's beloved aquarium is on the brink of financial ruin, and that money could be the answer to all their problems. Armed with her trusty metal detector, Sylvia, Cassie begins her search.

But while hunting for the treasure, she discovers something that may be even more valuable than the diamond. A fish, unlike any she has ever seen before. One that seems to understand her every word perfectly. His name is Blue, and he desperately needs Cassie's help.

As news of her once-in-a-lifetime discovery spreads, however, Cassie is torn between two impossible choices: protect Blue and help him find his way home... or embrace the fame and fortune that could change her life forever.

Review Quotes

"New friendships bear rich rewards of more than one sort in this story of a young beachcomber and a fish previously unknown to science... The author paints character nuances with a light but sure hand, while folding in convincing details about beachcombing and fish biology. A warmhearted tale grounded in healing relationships and a love of nature."
--Kirkus Reviews

"An uncommon friendship between a young beachcomber and a stranded deep-sea creature provides the framework for an examination of fear and its ability to shape our lives in this environmentally conscious novel perfect for budding marine scientists."
--Booklist

"It's a charming middle-grade novel that had me hooked from the very first page. Blue is such an endearing protagonist, and I was rooting for him, Cassie and TJ - and their unique friendship - the whole way through. I loved it!"
--Olivia Wakeford

"I've never been so invested in a fish-out-of-water tale. Absorbing, fun, and wonderfully unique"
--Terry Lynn Johnson, bestselling author of Ice Dogs

"A memorable and compelling adventure about facing long-buried fears while standing up to protect an unusual creature... A treasure of a story!"
--Lynne Kelly, author of Song For a Whale

"YACHT SINKS! JEWELLERY LOST! MASSIVE REWARD OFFERED! From the first boisterous pages, to the last heartfelt ones, Monster Down Deep by Amy Fellner Dominy is a pitch-perfect middle grade. Funny, adventurous, and full of humanity, it turns out, the sparkling necklace the kids are after isn't the real reward, but rather, reading this gem of a book cover to cover is."
--Gae Polisner, author of CONSIDER THE OCTOPUS and SEVEN CLUES TO HOME

"A sparky, original and moving story about grief, friendship and bravery. A gem of a book, already one of my books of the year."
--Sarah Webb, Irish Independent

"A heartfelt read interspersed with humour and honesty."
--My Shelves Are Full

"If you like stories that make your heart beat fast this book is for you."
--Storm, age 10 Reading2Smile

About the Author

Amy Fellner Dominy is an MFA playwright and the award-winning author of 9 books for children. She especially loves stories that celebrate kids who can be anyone and choose to be themselves. Amy currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona.