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It Came from the Creek
From the award-winning author of ATTACK OF THE BLACK RECTANGLES, a novel about standing up to bullies -- whether they’re kids or adults.There's something in the water. It smells really bad. It's a strange color. And it's making people sick.Katy and her best friend Joel can tell something is going wrong in their town. They decide to document it, trying to solve the mystery of what's going on. Someone is dumping toxic waste in places it shouldn't go... and even when he's told to stop, he goes ahead and keeps dumping it anyway.Both in school and outside of it, Kate and Joel are learning that bullies do what they do because they think they can get away with it, because they think they're bigger than the rules. There has to be a way to make them stop... but it just might take a whole town coming together in order to do it.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Amy Sarig King
4 books209 followersA.S. King writes middle grade fiction under the name Amy Sarig King.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 27, 2026
A middle grade novel filled with environmental concerns, friendship, school bullies, and equal rights between the sexes with ties to King’s 2017 Me and Marvin Gardens, a title with similar themes and one that landed on several “Best Book” lists as well as the Texas Bluebonnet Award final 20 nominees.
Set in the 1980s, a generation after “Marvin Gardens,” and along the same creek, best friends Joel and Katy have four concerns at the end of the summer season, a ghost named Lizzie, whatever is making people sick and a big stink, the new “no girls allowed” policy among some of the usual recess kickball team leaders, as well as first looks at harassment. In Katy’s words, readers will follow the duo’s investigation into the first two and how they (and others at school) address the last two. The plot progresses in traditional narrative style but implications of illegal dumping, climate change, use of plastics, alternative fuels and more are included between chapters using Katy’s summer assignment to look 100 years into the future and make predictions based on current trends.
As a big fan of the older Marvin Gardens, I struggled to like this title as well, possibly because the similarities were so striking making this newer novel seem almost redundant and a little bit of a short cut to a new book by an author whose works I have typically loved. However, removing those likenesses, and middle grade readers are likely to appreciate the combination of looks at a possible future and the school drama. The close friendship between Joel and Katy is enviable and weathers a pretty significant jolt at the book’s beginning and their families’ enjoyment of each others’ company is warm and comforting, as is the strong relationship between Katy and her scrappy maternal grandmother. Fans of the Philadelphia Phillies professional baseball team will appreciate the commentary on their World Series title in 1980 and the school kickball tournament gives sports fans a little bit of an extra. Some may find the presentation of environmental worries to be a fearful, but Katy’s overall tone is balanced and includes much about what ordinary people and corporations can do to positively affect change. The inclusion of the Equal Rights Amendment, the unfairness of treatment between the genders that was rampant in the 80s, and the harassment Katy experiences at the hands of a classmate are incorporated smoothly into the larger environmental arc, but some reviewers have noted that there were too many issues for just one 262 page book. In my opinion, middle grade students are navigating far more problems at one time than Katy and Joel do and they will not find this to be the case.
All in all, this latest King novel is a solid purchase for libraries serving grades 4-7, with those on the older end of that range likely to forget that the book’s main characters are only in the 5th grade due to the heaviness of their situation.
*Profanity: none
*Sexual content: none
*Violence: physical threatening behaviors on the part of those doing the illegal dumping as well as the two school bullies but nothing too excessive for the subject or the target age group
*Representation: Race does not factor into the storyline and w/o the Caucasian faces on the book’s cover, main characters could come from any heritage; consequences of alcoholism included; women presented in professional careers such college profession, Department of Environmental Protection investigator, leaders in education, etc.
*LBGTQ+: two brief playground references to same sex relationships with Kathy viewing them as a part of normal life while the playground bullies making the possibility more of a joke, which would be reflective of the era.
Read alikes:
*Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet-Barbara Dee
*Two Degrees-Alan Gratz
*Hoot-Carl Hiaasen
*Fuzzy Mud-Louis Sachar
*A Wolf Called Wander-Rosanne Parry
*Pax duology-Sara Pennypacker
*Where Only Storms Grow-Alyssa Colman
*Spark-Chris Baron
*Gracie Under the Waves-Linda Sue Park
Thanks for the print arc, Scholastic.
Set in the 1980s, a generation after “Marvin Gardens,” and along the same creek, best friends Joel and Katy have four concerns at the end of the summer season, a ghost named Lizzie, whatever is making people sick and a big stink, the new “no girls allowed” policy among some of the usual recess kickball team leaders, as well as first looks at harassment. In Katy’s words, readers will follow the duo’s investigation into the first two and how they (and others at school) address the last two. The plot progresses in traditional narrative style but implications of illegal dumping, climate change, use of plastics, alternative fuels and more are included between chapters using Katy’s summer assignment to look 100 years into the future and make predictions based on current trends.
As a big fan of the older Marvin Gardens, I struggled to like this title as well, possibly because the similarities were so striking making this newer novel seem almost redundant and a little bit of a short cut to a new book by an author whose works I have typically loved. However, removing those likenesses, and middle grade readers are likely to appreciate the combination of looks at a possible future and the school drama. The close friendship between Joel and Katy is enviable and weathers a pretty significant jolt at the book’s beginning and their families’ enjoyment of each others’ company is warm and comforting, as is the strong relationship between Katy and her scrappy maternal grandmother. Fans of the Philadelphia Phillies professional baseball team will appreciate the commentary on their World Series title in 1980 and the school kickball tournament gives sports fans a little bit of an extra. Some may find the presentation of environmental worries to be a fearful, but Katy’s overall tone is balanced and includes much about what ordinary people and corporations can do to positively affect change. The inclusion of the Equal Rights Amendment, the unfairness of treatment between the genders that was rampant in the 80s, and the harassment Katy experiences at the hands of a classmate are incorporated smoothly into the larger environmental arc, but some reviewers have noted that there were too many issues for just one 262 page book. In my opinion, middle grade students are navigating far more problems at one time than Katy and Joel do and they will not find this to be the case.
All in all, this latest King novel is a solid purchase for libraries serving grades 4-7, with those on the older end of that range likely to forget that the book’s main characters are only in the 5th grade due to the heaviness of their situation.
*Profanity: none
*Sexual content: none
*Violence: physical threatening behaviors on the part of those doing the illegal dumping as well as the two school bullies but nothing too excessive for the subject or the target age group
*Representation: Race does not factor into the storyline and w/o the Caucasian faces on the book’s cover, main characters could come from any heritage; consequences of alcoholism included; women presented in professional careers such college profession, Department of Environmental Protection investigator, leaders in education, etc.
*LBGTQ+: two brief playground references to same sex relationships with Kathy viewing them as a part of normal life while the playground bullies making the possibility more of a joke, which would be reflective of the era.
Read alikes:
*Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet-Barbara Dee
*Two Degrees-Alan Gratz
*Hoot-Carl Hiaasen
*Fuzzy Mud-Louis Sachar
*A Wolf Called Wander-Rosanne Parry
*Pax duology-Sara Pennypacker
*Where Only Storms Grow-Alyssa Colman
*Spark-Chris Baron
*Gracie Under the Waves-Linda Sue Park
Thanks for the print arc, Scholastic.
October 16, 2026
Summary: Set in 1980, the story follows Katy and her best friend, Joel, as they investigate a mysterious and troubling problem in their hometown, Lorane Creek has become contaminated. The water smells terrible, looks strange, and is making people sick. Joel can't stop getting sick, Katy's eyes burn, and the toxic backup is even making her grandmother's home unsafe. As Katy and Joel document the strangeness and discover a sinister man deliberately dumping pollutants into the water, they realize the problem mirrors the bullying they face at school. The bullies, both the man polluting the creek and their classmates, operate because they believe they can get away with their actions. As the contamination threatens to ruin the creek and the community, Katy, Joel, and their neighbors must find the courage to stand up to these bullies before it's too late. Woven throughout are excerpts from a school assignment Katy is working on that describe a future readers will recognize as contemporary, drawing connections between past, present, and future. The author layers multiple important themes: environmental justice, classism, corruption, sexism, and upstanding, into a narrative that feels both nostalgic and empowering.
Straight Talk for Librarians: King has a remarkable gift for tackling tough, real-world topics in ways that feel age-appropriate and authentic for middle grade and young adult readers. The dual storylines, the environmental mystery at the creek and the social conflicts at school keep readers engaged and curious about what will happen next. The characters of Katy and Joel are sympathetic and relatable; they're independent young people who also maintain supportive relationships with their parents and teachers, making them feel genuine and grounded. The 1980s setting provides rich historical texture, from references to the Phillies' historic World Series run to period-specific details woven throughout, giving the story nostalgic charm while remaining relevant to contemporary readers. There are a lot of themes here: environmental protection, consent, patriarchy, and social responsibility. I really thought it was just going to be about environmentalism and pollution. Adding all the extra social justice issues is a lot for a middle grade reader. The mystery itself is engaging, with genuine suspense that builds throughout, and the emphasis on friendship and collective action offers an affirming message about the power of standing together. Readers will find themselves invested in whether Katy and Joel can reclaim their creek, their homes, and their place in their community.
Straight Talk for Librarians: King has a remarkable gift for tackling tough, real-world topics in ways that feel age-appropriate and authentic for middle grade and young adult readers. The dual storylines, the environmental mystery at the creek and the social conflicts at school keep readers engaged and curious about what will happen next. The characters of Katy and Joel are sympathetic and relatable; they're independent young people who also maintain supportive relationships with their parents and teachers, making them feel genuine and grounded. The 1980s setting provides rich historical texture, from references to the Phillies' historic World Series run to period-specific details woven throughout, giving the story nostalgic charm while remaining relevant to contemporary readers. There are a lot of themes here: environmental protection, consent, patriarchy, and social responsibility. I really thought it was just going to be about environmentalism and pollution. Adding all the extra social justice issues is a lot for a middle grade reader. The mystery itself is engaging, with genuine suspense that builds throughout, and the emphasis on friendship and collective action offers an affirming message about the power of standing together. Readers will find themselves invested in whether Katy and Joel can reclaim their creek, their homes, and their place in their community.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
It's 1980, and Katy would rather spend her August days hanging out with her best friend Joel in a tent in his yard, listening to baseball on the radio and playing DiceBall. She's not a fan of back to school shopping or heading off to fifth grade, because growing up is scary, and her mother is pushing her to use deodorant. There are bigger issues in her community: Love Canal is making the news, and James Piper, who has bought some of her family's farm land, is known to have a "secret gross landfill". This, along with sinkholes he's filling with toxic waste, is causing horrible smells that are making people sick and contaminating the water, some of which ends up overflowing into her grandmother's basement. When the creek starts looking murky and is filled with dead fish, Katy and Joel start investigating. Over the summer, Katy worked on an assignment for Ms. G., and researched how the world would be different in 100 years. She found out a lot of alarming environmental issues out, and also reported on women's rights as well as other social issues. Her dream is to one day work at the EPA, so Operation Proof that she is working on with Joel using a Super 8 film camera as well as an Instamatic, is very important to her, especially since much of the pollution is happening on former family land. When new houses are set to be built in the area, will things get even worse?
Strengths: I appreciated the author's note that Katy was a younger, slightly different version of Obe's mother from the 2017 Me and Marvin Gardens. The setting seemed familiar, and I thought we saw a glimpse of one of Marvin's ancestors. There are lots of good details about 1980: straight legged corduroys, Battle of the Network Stars, and boys thinking they can exclude girls from playing kickball. In between chapters of the story, we do see Katy's school reports, which cover a lot of problems that still have relevance today; there is even a mention of Artificial Intelligence. King has a knack for addressing topical issues that resonate with gatekeepers; her Attack of the Black Rectangles is frequently used as a class novel.
Weaknesses: I am a big, big supportive of both environmental and feminist issues, but this was a bit didactic in tone, which took away some of the emotional impact of Katy's plight.
What I really think: This is a good choice for fans of King's work or environmentally themed books like Helget's 2017 The End of Wild, Cline's Bridge to Bat City, Culley's Landslide, or Baron's Spark.
It's 1980, and Katy would rather spend her August days hanging out with her best friend Joel in a tent in his yard, listening to baseball on the radio and playing DiceBall. She's not a fan of back to school shopping or heading off to fifth grade, because growing up is scary, and her mother is pushing her to use deodorant. There are bigger issues in her community: Love Canal is making the news, and James Piper, who has bought some of her family's farm land, is known to have a "secret gross landfill". This, along with sinkholes he's filling with toxic waste, is causing horrible smells that are making people sick and contaminating the water, some of which ends up overflowing into her grandmother's basement. When the creek starts looking murky and is filled with dead fish, Katy and Joel start investigating. Over the summer, Katy worked on an assignment for Ms. G., and researched how the world would be different in 100 years. She found out a lot of alarming environmental issues out, and also reported on women's rights as well as other social issues. Her dream is to one day work at the EPA, so Operation Proof that she is working on with Joel using a Super 8 film camera as well as an Instamatic, is very important to her, especially since much of the pollution is happening on former family land. When new houses are set to be built in the area, will things get even worse?
Strengths: I appreciated the author's note that Katy was a younger, slightly different version of Obe's mother from the 2017 Me and Marvin Gardens. The setting seemed familiar, and I thought we saw a glimpse of one of Marvin's ancestors. There are lots of good details about 1980: straight legged corduroys, Battle of the Network Stars, and boys thinking they can exclude girls from playing kickball. In between chapters of the story, we do see Katy's school reports, which cover a lot of problems that still have relevance today; there is even a mention of Artificial Intelligence. King has a knack for addressing topical issues that resonate with gatekeepers; her Attack of the Black Rectangles is frequently used as a class novel.
Weaknesses: I am a big, big supportive of both environmental and feminist issues, but this was a bit didactic in tone, which took away some of the emotional impact of Katy's plight.
What I really think: This is a good choice for fans of King's work or environmentally themed books like Helget's 2017 The End of Wild, Cline's Bridge to Bat City, Culley's Landslide, or Baron's Spark.
October 6, 2026
3.25 stars
I really enjoy this author and have read extensively across King's works. I loved learning that some of the details from this novel reference real experiences and people from King's own life (via the Author's Note). That adds a layer of importance here. I also learned there that this book is a companion novel to a book I've not yet read (and that this is apparently okay since this book is not a sequel or prequel). That noted, I wondered if I'd have had a more enriching experience with this book if I'd read the other first.
Something toxic is harming the kids, and as the title suggests, it appears to be coming from the creek. This toxicity is both literal and metaphorical, and it becomes a vehicle through which King explores social issues like bullying, sexual harrasment, and much more. While I loved the messaging that came through constantly, there were many times when I felt like the book was veering into didactic territory. I lost focus at times on the characters and plot because the messaging was so heavy handed. Again, I'm on board with all of it, but even as a member of the choir who wants to be preached to, there was a bit of a disconnect here for me.
I always enjoy the variety and development I get in King's books and look forward to what comes next.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I really enjoy this author and have read extensively across King's works. I loved learning that some of the details from this novel reference real experiences and people from King's own life (via the Author's Note). That adds a layer of importance here. I also learned there that this book is a companion novel to a book I've not yet read (and that this is apparently okay since this book is not a sequel or prequel). That noted, I wondered if I'd have had a more enriching experience with this book if I'd read the other first.
Something toxic is harming the kids, and as the title suggests, it appears to be coming from the creek. This toxicity is both literal and metaphorical, and it becomes a vehicle through which King explores social issues like bullying, sexual harrasment, and much more. While I loved the messaging that came through constantly, there were many times when I felt like the book was veering into didactic territory. I lost focus at times on the characters and plot because the messaging was so heavy handed. Again, I'm on board with all of it, but even as a member of the choir who wants to be preached to, there was a bit of a disconnect here for me.
I always enjoy the variety and development I get in King's books and look forward to what comes next.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy
I was lucky enough to get to read an ARC of this new book coming out this October from Amy Sarig King. This is a book that will tick off all the worst people. Obviously environmental justice is a core theme here, but this book also tackles gender roles and misogyny (and shows how boys are hurt by patriarchy also).
I was musing on BlueSky the other day that a lot of us authors are struggling to figure out how to write villains, now that we see so many real world villains being more villainous than we thought a believable character could be. Well the adult villain in this story is pretty aware that he's a bully and a jerk, but 1) The events of this story happen right on the heels of Love Canal, where Hooker Chemical gave away land they knew was contaminated as a way to shield themselves from any future liability, and 2) just . . . ::waves hands:: . . . look around.
I was musing on BlueSky the other day that a lot of us authors are struggling to figure out how to write villains, now that we see so many real world villains being more villainous than we thought a believable character could be. Well the adult villain in this story is pretty aware that he's a bully and a jerk, but 1) The events of this story happen right on the heels of Love Canal, where Hooker Chemical gave away land they knew was contaminated as a way to shield themselves from any future liability, and 2) just . . . ::waves hands:: . . . look around.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Environmental justice in the form of a middle grade about kids exploring their own backyards and fighting against "the corporation" to identify the smell and the issues that are affecting their town because they're aware of big events like Love Canal and know that a lot can be hidden if they wanted it to be.
It's not subtle, it's apparent throughout the story and is firmly placed in the 80s, to the point it's woven into multiple passages throughout the story to remind readers it is the 80s from the specific baseball game to the phrases, stories, and clothing. Then to put an exclamation point on it, interspersed in the story are chapters about "the future" - really our present - that provide commentary on how the globe is going to hell in a handbasket if we don't wake up.
It's not subtle, it's apparent throughout the story and is firmly placed in the 80s, to the point it's woven into multiple passages throughout the story to remind readers it is the 80s from the specific baseball game to the phrases, stories, and clothing. Then to put an exclamation point on it, interspersed in the story are chapters about "the future" - really our present - that provide commentary on how the globe is going to hell in a handbasket if we don't wake up.
October 1, 2026
I received a physical ARC of this book from a local bookstore.
Set in 1980, this book touched on issues like gender equality and environmental awareness but in a way that was relatable and encourages the reader to really care.
Set in 1980, this book touched on issues like gender equality and environmental awareness but in a way that was relatable and encourages the reader to really care.
October 28, 2026
A solid middle grade book about environmental activism, standing up for what’s right, and a whole lot of bravery.
Review of advance copy
In 1980 rural Pennsylvania, inquisitive 10-year-old Katy Devlin takes on pollution and "the toxic waste of sexism" when she and her best friend, a boy named Joel, stand up to both schoolyard bullies who don't believe boys and girls can be friends and the shady local man who is poisoning a nearby creek.
Fans will recognize Katy as the kid version of Obie's mom in King's Me and Marvin Gardens. The first person past tense narrative is infused with nostalgia, reminiscent of an adult looking back on a pivotal childhood memory--but that makes sense, given Katy's place in the author's body of work.
Kid-activism at its finest.
Fans will recognize Katy as the kid version of Obie's mom in King's Me and Marvin Gardens. The first person past tense narrative is infused with nostalgia, reminiscent of an adult looking back on a pivotal childhood memory--but that makes sense, given Katy's place in the author's body of work.
Kid-activism at its finest.
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