A World Below

January 15, 2018
King's (OCDaniel, 2017) latest sends readers tumbling belowground in a quest for survival.Brown-skinned, biracial Eric and Latina classmate Silvia each bring their own metaphorical baggage into the limestone caverns below the New Mexico desert, beyond their daypacks filled with water bottles and snacks. When an earthquake sends them and their classmates tumbling into the unexplored abyss below the famous Carlsbad Caverns, they not only face a challenge to survive, but must also do battle with their inner demons. Meanwhile, King Carlos, of the mysterious underworld Midnight Realm, fears he is facing literal demons as the student intruders encroach upon his kingdom. After four generations underground, he and his people have thoroughly internalized his Hispanic great-grandfather's warnings against the cruel race that lives above. Though oversized flora and fauna threaten at every turn, the true challenge for each of the three principal characters is to overcome their faulty beliefs about themselves and others. The narrative shifts focus among each as readers follow them through the subterranean landscape and on their own psychological journeys as well. For those both above- and belowground, healing from generations of exclusion and feelings of otherness is a consistent theme, which is, alas, quickly wrapped up and tied with a too-simple bow of forgiveness and inclusion. Careful readers will also wonder at both the paucity of Spanish surnames in this New Mexico school and the plot-driven choice of Carlos' ancestors to speak English rather than Spanish when they took up residence below. Nevertheless, the quick-paced adventure and positive message of setting aside past hurts are sure to appeal. A multifaceted journey from darkness to light. (Adventure. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-When Mr. Baker shares with his eighth grade AP class that they will visit Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico instead of the two-night stay in Albuquerque that last year's class experienced, his students are not pleased. They reluctantly show up the day of the trip with snacks in tow and sensible shoes for all the walking they will be doing. What they did not prepare for is the earthquake that strikes suddenly and swallows the class deep into the earth. After their teacher disappears through a crack, the teens are forced to fight for their lives. One of the students, Eric, manages to pull himself out of the swift-moving water but is helpless to rescue the others as they frantically swirl past him. Eric is frightened but through persistence and determination manages to eventually reunite with his class. In the meantime, Silvia has panic attacks and receives therapy for it. She bravely leads her classmates through the winding and booby-trapped caverns. The students discover the deeper they progress in the caverns, the more bizarre underground life exists-including oversize bugs and spiders. They even discover a secret society underground but are sworn to secrecy about its existence. Standard character tropes are used-jocks, popular girls, loners. Protagonists are fairly well fleshed out. Readers will enjoy seeing Eric and Silvia emerge as leaders despite initially struggling with personal setbacks. The conclusion sets up for a forthcoming sequel. VERDICT A swift-paced survival tale that's a cool blend of Lord of the Flies and Journey to the Center of the Earth.-Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.