2017
WISE Score
A shark-loving girl inventor gets kidnapped by a pirate to build a deep-sea diving suit—it’s basically '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' but with more feelings.
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Race to the Bottom of the Sea is a standout middle-grade novel that respects its audience's intelligence. It doesn't shy away from the reality of grief, but it doesn't wallow in it either.
Instead, it gives kids a protagonist who is competent, nerdy, and brave. If your kid is tired of 'chosen one' fantasy tropes and wants a story rooted in science and high-stakes exploration, this is a winner. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to go look up how pressure works at 30,000 feet underwater.
This is a bullseye for the 8-12 crowd. It's sophisticated enough for middle-schoolers but accessible for younger kids who are strong readers and ready for a longer, 400-page journey.
The book centers on a young girl processing the sudden death of her parents. While heavy, it's handled with emotional intelligence and emphasizes resilience, curiosity, and the forming of unlikely bonds.
It's a fantastic blend of steampunk-lite invention and marine biology. The concept of a child inventor building a specialized diving suit for a legendary pirate is fresh and sparks a lot of creative 'what-if' thinking.
Generally very safe for the middle-grade audience. The 'pirate' elements involve kidnapping and peril, but it never veers into gratuitous violence or adult themes. The parent death happens off-page but is a major plot point.
High marks for encouraging girls in STEM. Fidelia is a capable scientist and engineer. The book also offers a sophisticated look at grief and the idea that people aren't just 'good' or 'bad.'
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