about the book
Lyric Walker misses swimming at the Coney Island beach. The cold, ocean water was the only thing that could take away her migraines. Cold bathes just don’t work as well. But no one is allowed to go to the beach anymore.
Not since 30,000 Alpha—a five-nation race of ocean-dwelling warriors—came to shore.
After the wonder and awe wore off, Lyric’s small town was transformed into a military zone, dividing humans and Alpha.
Now six teenage Alpha are being forced to assimilate into the public high school, one of whom is Crown Prince Fathom.
Lyric’s father, a police officer, has repeatedly told her to “‘Keep your distance. Don’t get involved. Don’t try to be nice. Don’t talk to the new kids. Just go about your business.’”
But that becomes impossible when Lyric’s principal chooses her to help Fathom integrate into the school. It also makes keeping her secret that much harder….
about the author
Growing up in Akron, Ohio, with three brothers and two sisters, Michael Buckley always found ways to get attention. He was also very interested in books, art, and performing.
As a result of these interests, he started doing stand-up comedy at 16 and was the lead singer in a punk rock band at 20. After attending Ohio University, Michael moved to New York City to intern for David Letterman. That’s when he fully realized he had a knack for writing funny things.
His first real job was working on documentaries and TV shows for Discovery Channel, which led to working for MTV, Nickelodeon, and other networks. But TV isn’t Michael’s “thing”. Eventually his wife suggested writing a book—she even became his agent.
Now Michael has written the bestselling series The Sisters Grimm and NERDS. His first YA novel, Undertow, came to him in a dream that he combined with news stories, particularly that of immigrant children.
He likes eating cupcakes at his house in Brooklyn, New York, with his family.
Sources:
Author website
Author interview: Nerdy with Children
Author interview: Hypable
Also by Michael Buckley:
Raging Sea (Undertow Trilogy, Book 2). HMH Books for Young Readers. February 2016.
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