title: Sinking Deeper: Or My Questionable (Possibly Heroic) Decision to Invent a Sea Monster
author:  Steve Vernon 
description: "A sweet book...Vernon is obviously no stranger to word play, and humorous writing...Recommended." (<i>Resource Links</i> 2011-06-01)<br /><br />"As filled with warmth and wit as it is with folksy charm. Vernon very ably captures the spirit of this small town with the neigbours who all know each other's business but who also look out for one another like kin. He provides a delightful cast of characters who give the story its depth and heart. Roland's relationship with his grandfather is beautifully depicted and the life lessons that he learns along the way are true nuggets of wisdom. Perhaps the most endearing thing about this book, however, is the voice...An excellent choice to read-aloud!" (<i>Atlantic Books Today</i> 2011-09-01)
zlib_text: ![](Images/image00212.jpeg)
  
  > _To Sam._
  
  >  _I will battle one million Ender Dragons, a hundred million Creepers,
  > twenty Cave Spiders, and a Zombie Pigman,_
  
  >  _for you._
  
  ![](Images/image00210.jpeg)
  
  Prologue
  
  ![](Images/image00215.jpeg)
  
   **THERE’S THIS THING ABOUT ME** that I don’t tell anyone. I haven’t told my
  boyfriend or my stepdad, or any of my friends, but it’s important to the
  story, so I think I’d better put it out there right at the beginning.
  
  Two or three nights a week, I drown in my sleep.
  
  Here’s how it goes: I’m in the water, an oxygen tank strapped to my back, and
  I’m diving, my face pointed toward the ocean floor. The water is warm and a
  startling blue-green, but I hardly notice it because I’m too busy looking for
  something. _Searching_ for something. I don’t know what it is that I’m trying
  to find, only that I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
  
  Finally, I see something down below—a glimmer of light. It’s bright and
  inviting, and without a second of he