Review by GiGi Kang
Orca Book Publishers, April 11, 2023
92 pages, paperback, $10.95 CAD, 9781459834538
Ages 9 to 12
Mystery, Fiction
There are a bunch of us who look for lost things, but the serious ones are looking for old stuff. They take their metal detectors through fields, searching for history. Sometimes they go places where important things happened a hundred or more years ago. I’d like to try that someday, but I like my river. It’s familiar. It comes from the mountains and flows out to the sea. For this brief stretch under the bridge, all the possibilities it carries are mine…if I can catch them. (3)
A buried treasure has the potential to refresh a town’s understanding of its own history. In Below the Surface, thirteen-year-old, curly-haired Theo is on summer break uncovering Cedarbrook’s most puzzling mysteries. The river under Sawyer’s Bridge is Theo’s favourite place in the town, but the bridge is said to be haunted by the ghost of an old traveller. He isn’t convinced, and instead visits regularly to search for treasure. That is until he finds a pocket watch linked to the ghost, and the rumours begin to feel more possible.
Theo is accompanied by his best friend, Syd. She is witty, supportive, and a massive fan of comic books. Their dynamic adds humour to the mystery and lightens otherwise difficult situations, especially as Theo experiences bullying. Theo learns that bullying was as much of a problem in Cedarbrook during the old traveller’s time as it is now. Here, Finley portrays the generational impacts of bullying if it is not properly addressed. But Syd is someone Theo can trust, and their alliance establishes optimism in the novel. Their friendship is reminiscent of classic stories with amateur detective duos such as The Hardy Boys, Magic Tree House, or The Great Shelby Holmes.
As Theo traces the origins of the pocket watch, building one clue on top of another, Finley similarly crafts the town of Cedarbrook piece by piece. For instance, Syd works at the pawnshop where Theo usually brings his treasure to the owner, Mr. Sterling. Syd and Theo get the best sandwiches in town from Creekside Café. At the local museum, Theo walks through decades of local history and meets with Ms. Vardanyan. At the bookshop, Theo discusses the legend of the old traveller with Mr. Sorensen. Finley establishes a tone of appreciation for community as Theo interacts with the diverse stories that make up Cedarbrook, thus grounding the mystery in physical spaces. While moving around Cedarbrook sustains mystery, Theo makes quick conclusions as he collects clues, creating a tendency for the plot to feel slightly rushed. With more justification behind Theo’s decisions, the thrill of his conclusions would create more surprise. That being said, the fast pace still achieves an exhilarating read for young readers while also painting beautiful imagery of Cedarbrook.
Below the Surface is a quick read. It features a protagonist that is compassionate and very likeable. The rumour of the ghost adds a hint of tension, but the novel is not overly frightening and remains suitable for young readers. The book also accommodates all types of readers, including those with dyslexia, as it features a dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, and a larger trim size. Allison Finley is a homegrown UBC alum with a BFA in Creative Writing, and Below the Surface is a charming and engaging debut that I would encourage the UBC community to support.
GiGi Kang is a UBC graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. She is a creative writer, writing poetry, fiction, and screenplays. At The Luna Collective, she interviews creatives from around the world, and reviews latest music and film releases. Read more at gigikang.com.
YOUNG ADULTING 