THE WATERSTONE, by Rebecca Rupp, 2002

The world is drying. Twelve-year-old Tad — who is only a few inches tall — doesn’t even notice it at first. Busy practicing with his new spear, arguing with his sister, Birdie, and living the normal life of a youngling of the Fisher Tribe, he thinks little of a stream slowed to a trickle here, a pond suddenly dwindling there. But Tad begins to have strange flashbacks — glimpses of the past that he knows can't possibly be his own. With these "rememberings" haunting him, he and Birdie begin an adventure marked by great sorrows, fierce battles, and unbreakable friendships. (Goodreads)


Review by Emily, high school student and bibliophile


The Waterstone may be a children's book, but it is one of those children's books that could be read by anyone and enjoyed, I think. 
   
It is a book about family, primarily. Tad is a small Fisher boy, who lives with his father and his sister by a deep green pond. One day, he falls into the pond, and is called by a lovely, perilous voice. It is the voice of a Nixie, a dangerous creature whose main goal seems to be drying up all the water in the world. Troubled by the shrinking of their pond, Tad's family sets out on a journey to find the source of the trouble.
   
I won't ruin the plot by giving it away. I will only say that this gem of a book has been one of my particular favorites since I was eight for a very good reason. It has all the adventure you could want, but also some situations that require careful thought on the part of the characters. Tad and everyone around him end up growing into their roles, although they still feel somewhat inadequate - which is the way I feel whenever I try something new.
   
Mostly, I love this story because of all the wondrous and strange encounters that Tad has. They force him to rethink some of his views on the world. They certainly made me rethink some of mine!
   
Try it. You'll like it.


Market: Children's/Young Adult
Language: None
Sensuality: None
Violence: Mild
Mature Themes: Growing up, death, responsibility


Book formats:
Paperback