Fathomless

by Samantha San Miguel (Author)

Fathomless
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Spineless

"Pure storytelling at its best."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Ghostly pirates, lost treasure, and high adventure abound in Fathomless, the sequel to Spineless, set in glittering Gilded Age Florida.

After months away at boarding school, Lulu Davenport was looking forward to summer vacation at her home on the southwest Florida coast, especially since her best friend, Algie Emsworth, will be spending his vacation with the Davenport family. But since his widowed mother has fallen on hard times, he's gotten a job nearby that keeps him away from the house most of the day. And Frankie, Lulu's sister and usual companion, is out of commission after injuring herself while sailing. But when Lulu hears about a possible haunting in a nearby abandoned fort and rumors of hidden treasure, she decides it's time to strike out on her own and solve the mystery herself. In the process, she meets Vic, a blind boy who's just moved to town, and the two of them embark on a hunt for clues about the ghostly appearances. Soon enough, Frankie and Algie join them, and the four friends uncover all sorts of very real dastardly deeds going on, and the villain is much closer to home than they expected!

Fathomless is full of hijinks, mystery, and heart, as Samantha San Miguel brings readers into the wild and wonderful world of nineteenth century Florida in this sparkling sequel to Spineless.

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Kirkus

Starred Review

"The plot is original and surprising, with themes about belief in oneself and sibling rivalry that stay true to the age of the audience; the story also incorporates well-presented ideas about morality, ethics, family, and the frailties of adults....A clever plot, taut writing, and sophisticated emotional themes bring a remarkable depth to this sequel."

Review quotes

Praise for Spineless

"San Miguel concocts a comical and exciting tale that leads to a wild, suspenseful, storm-tossed climax while weaving in thoughtful ruminations on the necessity of giving science, people, and nature their just dues, too."
Booklist, Starred Review

"This exceptionally well-written story gives a nod to the era's fascination with creepy hauntings and dastardly secrets as it expertly transports readers into the atmosphere of 19th-century Florida, uniting well-drawn, nuanced characters with imaginative and tension-building plot twists. . . . Pure storytelling at its best."
Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Algie has a winsome urgency that makes him likable. . . . His relationships with his family and new friends are realistic and evolve as Algie, Frankie, and Lulu face dangerous adults. In the life-threatening denouement, Algie displays a nuanced empathy for others."
School Library Journal

Samantha San Miguel
Samantha San Miguelgrew up barefoot in South Florida. Living in this wild, diverse, and exuberant state taught Samantha a lifelong respect for the natural world with both its dangers and delights. Working there as an adult taught her a love for the colorful personalities that crowd the state's borders. And leaving it taught her that whether in Florida, Cuba, or anywhere else in the world, you can never be an exile if there's sunshine in your heart.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781454954170
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Union Square Kids
Publication date
September 10, 2024
Series
Spineless
BISAC categories
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV016140 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - 19th Century
JUV029010 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | Environment
Library of Congress categories
History
19th century
Adventure and adventurers
Florida
Mystery and detective stories
Ghosts
Detective and mystery fiction
JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Gener
Buried treasure
Action and adventure fiction
Novels
JUVENILE FICTION / Science & Nature / Environ

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