What is most important is not always the answers, but the questions. Keep asking the questions.
About the Book
Publication Date: August 24, 2021
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Length: 224 pages
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy | STEM
Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia to help him identify the rocks he finds. So, when a meteorite falls in his family’s field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast–with his best friend, James, and his little sister, Birdie, in tow, of course.
But soon after the meteorite’s arrival, the water in Henry’s small Maine town starts drying up. It’s not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry’s family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself.
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Disclaimer: I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the author and TBR and Beyond Tours as part of my participation in their tour. Follow the tour schedule here!
Review
The other things I figured out – good things can make bad things happen, and bad things can cause good things. You can’t calculate percents for how that works, either.
Down to Earth is a sweet, middle grade novel about a homeschooled boy named Henry who witnesses a meteorite land in his family’s farm. From there, a chain of events is unfolded: some good, while some bad. Henry comes from a family of water dowsers or “water witches'”, and at ten years old, he loves geology, asking questions about everything and anything, and is curious if he would be a water dowser someday. The first thing that captivated me was the writing of the author itself; the depictions of the settings, the dialogues, and the way the events were described were written beautifully.
No one teaches a tree to find water. Its taproot goes straight down into the earth, the same direction my father’s dowsing stick bends when it finds water.
Aside from the writing, there are so many other things I loved about this book. First, the characters were warm and funny, and the love between family, friendship, and community were portrayed in a wholesome light. Second, despite the pace of the book being quite slow, reading it made me feel so cozy, leaving a soothing and comforting effect long after I was done reading it. Lastly, I loved Henry’s character so much. He was well-written, and had his own flaws and inner dialogues that was in the nature of a 10-year old. In fact, all the characters felt so real, like his parents, his sister, and the people within the town, but Henry truly held a special spot in my heart. His curiosity and eagerness to learn new things, his love for his little sister and friend, James; and the way the author wrote mundane and inexplainable situations viewed through a child’s eyes were all very magical.
After all, if a millions-of-years-old rock lands in your hayfield, how could you ever think the world was small.
Down to Earth is a book that nurtures a lot of hidden magic within it. It talks about coincidences and circumstances, and in a world where we are always looking for reason, this book reminds us that sometimes things just happen. It also showed how wonder can exist in the most tiniest of corners of life, just like in Henry’s little town. Despite its target audience intended for children, I truly believe the story of Henry can warm the hearts of fellow adult readers. Truly, what a joy it was to have read this book.
About the Author
Betty Culley’s debut novel in verse Three Things I Know I True, was a Kids’ Indie Next List Top Ten Pick, an ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominee, an ALA-YALSA Quick Pick, and a Junior Library Guild selection. Her first middle-grade novel Down to Earth, is inspired by her fascination with meteorites, voyagers from another place and time. She’s an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse. She lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns.
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Let’s Discuss!
💭 What was the last book you read that made you feel warm?
💭 Do you have any recommendations for Middle Grade books?
Mae the Dreamer 
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