Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2025
Author/Illustrator: Michael Regina
Genres: Middle Grade, YA Graphic Novel, Horror, Adventure
Audience: Grades 6–9
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Deepwater Creek
Content Warnings: Scary themes, monster violence, and depictions of trauma/PTSD.
Publisher’s Summary
A middle grade graphic horror novel about two brothers who must uncover what terrors may be lurking in the depths of their local creek.
There’s nothing that Wade and his younger brother Andrew love more than fishing together. As summer is drawing to a close, they’re excited for one last hoorah before they have to get back to school. But what starts as a typical fishing trip with friends Camilla and Tommy filled with homemade bait and friendly competition, quickly takes a darker turn. A heavy fog creeps over the creek and Andrew hooks something big—too big. In a moment of chaos, he’s pulled overboard, and Wade must dive in after him. There, in the watery depths, the boys get a glimpse of what waits at the end of the line, and it seems far more monster than fish.
Could the recent storm have stirred up more than just water, unleashing something horrible from below? When the adults won’t take their claims seriously, and Andrew starts to exhibit strange behavior, the brothers and their friends set out to attempt their biggest catch evidence of a real-life monster living in their own backyard. But are they in way over their heads? As Andrew’s condition worsens, only one thing is they are in deep trouble.
Full Review
Deepwater Creek is a middle-grade graphic novel written and illustrated by Michael Regina. The story follows brothers Wade and Andrew, who love fishing together and spending time with their two close friends. After a powerful storm hits the area, the group goes on a fishing outing with the boys’ father, despite the creek being altered and unsafe. Venturing farther than they ever have before, Andrew hooks something far larger than a fish and is violently pulled into the water.
Although Andrew is rescued and physically unharmed, he begins to withdraw from his family and friends, becoming distant, fearful, and changed by the experience. When the kids try to warn adults about what they believe is a monster in the creek, their claims are dismissed. Determined to uncover the truth and help Andrew heal, the children journey off to investigate the river on their own, pushing themselves into greater danger. The book concludes on a hopeful note, with Andrew on the path toward recovery and the children reunited with their families.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The illustrations are suspenseful and effectively convey the emotions and stress the characters experience. The plot flows smoothly, and the supporting characters add depth to the story. Several important themes are present, including family relationships, peer pressure, and traumatic experiences. As a Health Teacher, I could use this book as a resource to discuss decision-making and peer pressure, especially in the scenes involving the brothers. I would recommend this to any student who enjoys suspenseful stories with a supernatural element.
🎒 Classroom & Health Connections
- Health (Decision-Making): Use the scene where the group decides to go into the “unsafe” creek as a case study. What were the external pressures (the storm, the father’s presence, the desire for “one last hoorah”)?
- Mental Health (Signs of Trauma): Discuss Andrew’s withdrawal. What are the signs that someone is “distant or fearful” after a stressful event? How can friends help when adults aren’t listening?
- Art & Emotion: Analyze Regina’s use of fog and dark water. How do these visual elements mirror the characters’ internal confusion and fear?
- Environmental Science: Discuss how storms and flooding can alter local ecosystems. While it might not bring “monsters,” it can bring real dangers like debris and shifting currents.
