Journee Blake hates the way she looks, despises her brother, and is tired of moving house due to her father constantly losing his job.
But now she has a new problem. She is convinced there are strange beings living beneath her house.
As Journee struggles to fit into her new school her father keeps blaming her for messing up the house, even though she knows it was clean before she leaves each morning. But Journee's no fool. She finds out that the people messing with her house are white, glowing 'strange beings' called Underers. She knows this because late one night she discovers their magical world 101 steps beneath her bed.
Journee's life is perfect, until she receives a most unreasonable request from the Underers.
If she doesn't meet her new family's demands, they'll be gone forever.
From Kids Read:
The Underers is a wonderfully odd and highly original story about an off-kilter young girl who secretly befriends a clan of supernatural beings who help her navigate the outside world. Note for readers: this story contains man-eating crocodiles, snakes, spiders, and funny jokes.
Reader reviews
As soon as you meet Journee you feel sorry for her. She's so relatable as the girl going through the world with added pressures of constantly moving around. But then she hears something and then she sees something and then she almost becomes someone... almost. It's spooky, it's funny, it's relatable, it's sad and yet really happy at the same time. I wish when I was her age I'd found a secret door.
Highly recommended read, for youngish and old. Well written and engaging. Can't wait for the next step for Journee.
J. Fromen
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We love Justin's books! This was awesome and a bit spookier than Freakout Island. I want some alien friends like Journee!
MURPHY (9)
I know what Journee feels like because I just started a new school, and I'm always getting blamed for my brothers mess too.'
MACK (7)
Justin Christopher is the modern day, Kiwi version of Roald Dahl. We used his books to bond at bed time while we were separated during lockdown. Whether it was My Best Worst Year, Freakout Island, or now The Underers, he has fast become a staple at bedtime at the Ward whare. Every night we hear the chorus of 'one more chapter Dad?'. Thanks Justin and keep them coming - we're sharing them around the extended whanau and can't wait to see what's next!
D. Ward.
