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Down to Earth
Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia to help him identify the rocks he finds. So, when a meteorite falls in his family's field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast--with his best friend, James, and his little sister, Birdie, in tow, of course.
But soon after the meteorite's arrival, the water in Henry's small Maine town starts drying up. It's not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry's family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself.
But soon after the meteorite's arrival, the water in Henry's small Maine town starts drying up. It's not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry's family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 24, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 4, 2021
This is a Magical Realism Middle Grade Book. I have to say I really loved this book, and the main character was so great. I loved the magical realism in this book, and it was easy to understand the magical realism in this book. I love that the child that was the main character in this book loved science/rocks, and I love all the science talk in this book. I feel this book was really well done and I think if your child likes rocks/science they should love this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Crown Books) or author (Betty Culley) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
September 10, 2021
What an magical story full of hope & endurance! Loved it! So many amazing things about this book, but star of the show is the characters. This whole family is amazing, then you have the best friend James, & even Dr. Morgan was so fantastic! Henry was the most lovable MC. Such a special kid, who looks at the world with such a unique, amazing perspective. All these characters have such amazing hearts. James is the ultimate optimist, & the ideal best friend. Birdie is the cutest little sister ever! Such a “boss”! Lol
I also loved all the researchable info in here! Lol I love a good story with facts to look up! I had never heard of dowsing before, & I was FASCINATED! How wild is that?! I also learned so many things about meteorites I didn’t know. Each chapter heading also gives you a paragraph of facts/info which I also loved. The author also talks more about what’s fact, & what she let her imagination take flight with.
I loved this families backstory, & the whole plot of the meteorite, the town, the water, & this family. So engrossing, & such a page turner. Such a unique & creative story with magical writing, & an amazing storyteller. I also loved the magical realism aspect we have in here, & it just was so heartwarming. Great themes on family, friendship, doing what’s right, family pressures, & how some things are priceless. Also, good things can make bad things happen, & vice versa. Things can change. And sometimes, even if they’re different they can still be great. Great life lessons. Highly recommend! Beautiful cover by Robert Frank Hunter as well!💜
I also loved all the researchable info in here! Lol I love a good story with facts to look up! I had never heard of dowsing before, & I was FASCINATED! How wild is that?! I also learned so many things about meteorites I didn’t know. Each chapter heading also gives you a paragraph of facts/info which I also loved. The author also talks more about what’s fact, & what she let her imagination take flight with.
I loved this families backstory, & the whole plot of the meteorite, the town, the water, & this family. So engrossing, & such a page turner. Such a unique & creative story with magical writing, & an amazing storyteller. I also loved the magical realism aspect we have in here, & it just was so heartwarming. Great themes on family, friendship, doing what’s right, family pressures, & how some things are priceless. Also, good things can make bad things happen, & vice versa. Things can change. And sometimes, even if they’re different they can still be great. Great life lessons. Highly recommend! Beautiful cover by Robert Frank Hunter as well!💜
September 4, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley as well as TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a free eARC of this book.
I love well-written middle-grade stories, and this was just one of those. It follows Henry Bower, a ten-year-old boy born into a family of dowsers and hoping to become one himself; however, he's afraid that he wasn't born with the talent and may end up disappointing his father. Despite his insecurities, he's generally a determined child: he knows what his goals are and works steadily towards achieving them.
This book does have elements of fantasy, subtle enough to make one wonder if such things are truly possible or not. It's also very informative: I learned a lot about meteorites and dowsing from Henry's experiences, and now wonder if anyone I know has that innate dowsing talent and just doesn't know it.
Perfect for younger readers and a good way to spend time for older ones, too. Down to Earth was officially published just a few days ago; if you think it's for you, go check it out!
I love well-written middle-grade stories, and this was just one of those. It follows Henry Bower, a ten-year-old boy born into a family of dowsers and hoping to become one himself; however, he's afraid that he wasn't born with the talent and may end up disappointing his father. Despite his insecurities, he's generally a determined child: he knows what his goals are and works steadily towards achieving them.
This book does have elements of fantasy, subtle enough to make one wonder if such things are truly possible or not. It's also very informative: I learned a lot about meteorites and dowsing from Henry's experiences, and now wonder if anyone I know has that innate dowsing talent and just doesn't know it.
Perfect for younger readers and a good way to spend time for older ones, too. Down to Earth was officially published just a few days ago; if you think it's for you, go check it out!
August 29, 2021
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“Down to Earth” is a fascinating, middle-grade adventure that makes you feel in awe of the Universe, and I loved reading it!
There are many reasons why I adored reading this book. For starters, I loved Henry and his curiosity and fascination for geology. I enjoyed the way he works with his friend James and his sister Birdie to try and find out more about the meteorite. He never gives up on a mission and tries his best to find a solution. One of his charming traits referred to an Encyclopedia to get information, reminiscing about my childhood days.
The author packs the story with thrills and adventure that would attract the target audience. Some of the scenes that shocked me were when Henry sees his Nana drink the water, or when James gets hurt, or when Dr. Morgan comes into the picture. The author paces the story to a satisfying climax that made you feel like you had a wonderful experience reading the story. Even the supporting characters like Braggy, Miles Morgan, and Fiona add nicely to the story.
Moreover, I felt like I learned so many new things from the story. I enjoyed the concept of water dowser and how the author incorporated it in the tale. Moreover, the author includes exciting facts at the beginning of each chapter to inspire a layperson to get interested in the subject. I never know about the Ahnighito, how meteorite metals react to magnets, or even what a spectrometer was. After reading this book, I am antsy to learn more about quarries and meteorites.
Overall, “Down to Earth” is a beautiful middle-grade book that I think a person of any age would enjoy.
January 4, 2024
A magical book
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July 20, 2021Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for including me on the Blog Tour for Down to Earth by Betty Culley, a middle grade adventure about a meteor that falls from the sky into ten-year-old Henry's backyard.
My stop on the tour is August 23, a day before its release! I'll be sharing 15 reactions I had while reading it, on my blog and my Instagram channel on the 23 August.
My stop on the tour is August 23, a day before its release! I'll be sharing 15 reactions I had while reading it, on my blog and my Instagram channel on the 23 August.
May 11, 2026
Really cute book & relatable for my students! Chapters were a little too long for a read aloud so it took us a whileeeeee but they enjoyed. Paired well with our geology unit
October 20, 2020
It's impossible for me to overstate how much I love this special, quietly magical book about Henry, a Maine boy from a long line of water dowsers ("water witches") as he is learning to navigate his community and family, and the larger cosmos. It’s a book I want always to be on my shelf, a book I look forward to gifting over and over to friends who will be so thrilled to spend time with Henry and experience his world, a cozy and familiar one that is also full of mystery and wonder for the universe.
It was lovely to read such an authentic depiction of homeschooling. I was partially homeschooled and this book felt so genuine and familiar to me in ways I've never experienced in a middle grade book before. Every character felt fully formed and alive. Culley has a gift for portraying a full cast of characters, both major and minor, and crafting them to feel extremely real. (THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE, her YA novel in verse, has this quality as well.)
Culley's prose is beautiful, too. One of the most beautiful sentences (among many): "No one teaches a tree to find water. Its taproot goes straight down into the earth, the same direction my father’s dowsing stick bends when it finds water."
I also loved how authentic the speech patterns felt in the dialogue, too, especially in the voices of James's grandmother, grandfather, and Braggy, Henry's uncle. Culley has a keen ear for the voices of older New Englanders, and I loved how real these characters felt on the page.
Henry is a wonderful character. He's deep thinker but in a way that feels absolutely his age and not at all contrived or shoehorned. Culley gives him immense dignity (in fact, she does that for all the characters in the book). I felt so attached to Henry and protective of him as he navigates some challenging situations in the community. I loved his mother, too—she's a wonderful role model.
This is an absolutely precious gem of a book, the kind that manages to focus on all the everyday aspects of the world and sharpen them so you feel fully the wonder of it all. It is written for children, but it also feels like the kind of classic that can be appreciated by all ages, including adults. It deserves all the stars and awards.
It was lovely to read such an authentic depiction of homeschooling. I was partially homeschooled and this book felt so genuine and familiar to me in ways I've never experienced in a middle grade book before. Every character felt fully formed and alive. Culley has a gift for portraying a full cast of characters, both major and minor, and crafting them to feel extremely real. (THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE, her YA novel in verse, has this quality as well.)
Culley's prose is beautiful, too. One of the most beautiful sentences (among many): "No one teaches a tree to find water. Its taproot goes straight down into the earth, the same direction my father’s dowsing stick bends when it finds water."
I also loved how authentic the speech patterns felt in the dialogue, too, especially in the voices of James's grandmother, grandfather, and Braggy, Henry's uncle. Culley has a keen ear for the voices of older New Englanders, and I loved how real these characters felt on the page.
Henry is a wonderful character. He's deep thinker but in a way that feels absolutely his age and not at all contrived or shoehorned. Culley gives him immense dignity (in fact, she does that for all the characters in the book). I felt so attached to Henry and protective of him as he navigates some challenging situations in the community. I loved his mother, too—she's a wonderful role model.
This is an absolutely precious gem of a book, the kind that manages to focus on all the everyday aspects of the world and sharpen them so you feel fully the wonder of it all. It is written for children, but it also feels like the kind of classic that can be appreciated by all ages, including adults. It deserves all the stars and awards.
June 1, 2022
This is a tragedy, boring and took me soooooooo long to read. To the Corbin’s please do not read!
September 12, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy. This is in no way shown in my review.
“The universe is too big to imagine, but from all that distance, it brought me a stone from the sky.”
Down to Earth was a delight! The writing style was super light, and by the end I was thinking like the main character! Henry’s voice was so unique and he was such a creative kid! His personality was adventure ready, and I love seeing that- especially in middle-grade. I would have loved a little more humor though.
The plot was incredible! It was a tightly wound mystery and I made so many guesses! Culley would add characters that would be suspicious then drop a different hint. The family tradition of dowsing was a very unique idea! There were also many positive messages about family and perseverance!
I liked the setting and overall book! In the end, it wasn’t surprising or fast enough to earn a full five star rating, but it was still a fun short book I recommend!
“The universe is too big to imagine, but from all that distance, it brought me a stone from the sky.”
Down to Earth was a delight! The writing style was super light, and by the end I was thinking like the main character! Henry’s voice was so unique and he was such a creative kid! His personality was adventure ready, and I love seeing that- especially in middle-grade. I would have loved a little more humor though.
The plot was incredible! It was a tightly wound mystery and I made so many guesses! Culley would add characters that would be suspicious then drop a different hint. The family tradition of dowsing was a very unique idea! There were also many positive messages about family and perseverance!
I liked the setting and overall book! In the end, it wasn’t surprising or fast enough to earn a full five star rating, but it was still a fun short book I recommend!
August 27, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC of this in exchange for my honest review
This was absolutely adorable! I feel like it’s hard to find stories with homeschooled kids, especially positive portrayals, so this was really exciting to me - I’ll definitely be suggesting it to my 8 year old. Sometimes magical realism is something I struggle with as it is either not magical enough or too weird, but this was the perfect level of whimsy, that left me not really caring if the rock was attracted to water or not, because either way the story was lovely. Birdie was the sweetest!
This was absolutely adorable! I feel like it’s hard to find stories with homeschooled kids, especially positive portrayals, so this was really exciting to me - I’ll definitely be suggesting it to my 8 year old. Sometimes magical realism is something I struggle with as it is either not magical enough or too weird, but this was the perfect level of whimsy, that left me not really caring if the rock was attracted to water or not, because either way the story was lovely. Birdie was the sweetest!
August 30, 2021
When a meteorite on his family's land causes a catastrophic flood, a boy wonders if his desire to become a dowser like his father brought destruction to his town.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
DOWN TO EARTH is a sweet middle grade coming-of-age story of a boy longing to be a valuable part of his family and community and ultimately learning that being himself is enough. I loved the rich sense of support and acceptance through this book as the protagonist leans on his family and his family leans on their neighbors in a difficult time. I also loved the science included throughout and the sometimes quirky but always welcomed characters. I'd recommend this one to upper-elementary readers who enjoy contemporary fiction.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
DOWN TO EARTH is a sweet middle grade coming-of-age story of a boy longing to be a valuable part of his family and community and ultimately learning that being himself is enough. I loved the rich sense of support and acceptance through this book as the protagonist leans on his family and his family leans on their neighbors in a difficult time. I also loved the science included throughout and the sometimes quirky but always welcomed characters. I'd recommend this one to upper-elementary readers who enjoy contemporary fiction.
March 13, 2022
Oh my word, I loved this book. Set in Maine, it's a story filled with wonder and hope. I loved all the characters so much. I also learned so much about dowsing and rocks and science.
September 10, 2021
I don’t know what I was expecting going into Down to Earth, but I sure loved what I ended up reading.
At the center of the story is Henry, a homeschooled kid who has always loved rocks and dreams of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a dowser (using a forked stick to locate underground water). To Henry, the meteorite is almost a living thing. He sees himself as its protector.
The appeal of Down to Earth comes in its simplicity. Kids aren’t glued to cell phones; families work to support each other; and there’s a true sense of community, even when there are disagreements. Quite honestly, it’s this sort of wholesome background that really elevates the magic and joy of making a discovery and learning.
Author Betty Culley’s writing is smooth and inviting. She seamlessly educates — lots of space and geological science facts — while painting a compelling story of friendship and family. I particularly enjoyed Henry’s little sister, Birdie, who brings such joy to the narrative.
Down to Earth is intended for middle readers, but adults (and maybe even some young adults, too) will enjoy this novel, too.
At the center of the story is Henry, a homeschooled kid who has always loved rocks and dreams of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a dowser (using a forked stick to locate underground water). To Henry, the meteorite is almost a living thing. He sees himself as its protector.
The appeal of Down to Earth comes in its simplicity. Kids aren’t glued to cell phones; families work to support each other; and there’s a true sense of community, even when there are disagreements. Quite honestly, it’s this sort of wholesome background that really elevates the magic and joy of making a discovery and learning.
Author Betty Culley’s writing is smooth and inviting. She seamlessly educates — lots of space and geological science facts — while painting a compelling story of friendship and family. I particularly enjoyed Henry’s little sister, Birdie, who brings such joy to the narrative.
Down to Earth is intended for middle readers, but adults (and maybe even some young adults, too) will enjoy this novel, too.
August 27, 2021
Down to Earth is a heartwarming middle grade read. Readers of all ages will enjoy Henry’s journey. Henry comes from a family of water witchers. One of the my favorite things was the mention of water dowsing and the whimsy surrounding it. Water dowsing is using a stuck to find water underground. It added an element of magic that I truly enjoyed. Henry learned about himself, family, and space while keeping me interested. Down to Earth is a special middle grade I can’t compare to anything else. I loved Henry’s sense of curiosity, question list in his notebooks, and the use of his encyclopedia set. Henry and the other character are believable and fun to read about. While Down to Earth is aimed for children, older readers can find something within its pages as well. I often overlook middle grade reads, but you will find Down to Earth is written in such away that you can’t help but fall in love with what Culley has created.
September 18, 2021
DOWN TO EARTH is a breath of fresh air in the world of kid lit—an authentic rural Maine setting and a story which centers around a thoughtful homeschooled boy struggling with questions of how he fits into his family of dowsers and moral questions of how to respond to the shocking fall of a meteor in his family’s field. I loved that the Bowers felt like a real hardworking lower-income family who needs to get creative in how they make ends meet. A beautiful story of a boy finding his place in the world.
November 26, 2021
What a delightful book! Henry comes from a long line of dowsers - his family has always been able to find the perfect location for drilling wells in their small town in Maine. But Henry isn't sure he will inherit this talent. In fact, he's pretty nervous about it. One evening, Henry sees a meteor fall to earth - in a field near his house. He shares his secret with his little sister, Birdie, and his best friend, James. But then unusual things begin to happen with the town's water supply.
I just loved Henry's point of view about his fears and his love of family, friends, and neighbors.
I just loved Henry's point of view about his fears and his love of family, friends, and neighbors.
September 18, 2021
4.5 stars (why aren’t half stars a thing yet?)
Terrific middle grades fiction. Perfect for kids interested in geology and astronomy but also has a fully formed plot and some nice characterization. Takes place in Maine but has a tie-in to the NYC Natural History Museum so would be a fun addition to a field trip visit. I just happen to be going to the museum today and I know I am now super excited to see a meteorite I had no idea existed three hours ago!
Terrific middle grades fiction. Perfect for kids interested in geology and astronomy but also has a fully formed plot and some nice characterization. Takes place in Maine but has a tie-in to the NYC Natural History Museum so would be a fun addition to a field trip visit. I just happen to be going to the museum today and I know I am now super excited to see a meteorite I had no idea existed three hours ago!
November 2, 2021
Henry lives in rural Maine, is home-schooled, and is fascinated by rocks. When a boulder-sized meteorite falls behind his house, it seems to set off unusual events in town, including drying up some of the wells in town. Henry’s father and uncle are dowsers and Henry is anxious to learn if he also has the dowsing gift. Each chapter header features a quote or fact about meteorites or water. A lovely story about life and family in rural Maine.
July 15, 2021
As a mother that homeschooled my kids while living in the country I fell in love with this book. Henry is a smart, caring, and thoughtful boy. One night he sees something that affects everyone's life in his small town. This one event sets off many different changes for his family, his friend, and himself. This story has excitement, mystery, emotion, and is packed full of facts. It is a perfect choice for an inquisitive, young, adventurer.
December 13, 2021
Henry is a 10 year old boy living in rural Maine who is extremely interested in rocks. One night he sees a meteorite crash in his yard and his world changes. This is a wonderful story, well told, that will stick with you a long time. Henry and his baby sister Birdie are adorable kids you will love and wish you knew in real life. Highly recommended.
January 17, 2022
Another great book by this author. Her insights into her characters, her mild sense of humor in the story, her depiction of events and thoughts; So well done. I loved the ‘percentage’ quirk of the main character. I loved the little girl “Birdie”.
It was just a joy to read. And she sneaks some good education in there too.
It was just a joy to read. And she sneaks some good education in there too.
October 31, 2022
Set in rural Maine, this story centers around Henry, the son of a dowser. When a meteorite lands on his parent's property, he keeps it a secret for fear of scientists taking it away. Then strange things begin happening in town which seem connected to the meteorite. Great story with adventure, mystery, and cool science.
December 7, 2021
The characters in this book were so believable and lovely. Henry, little sister Birdie, and best friend James. I could hang out with these three for a long time! All the information about rocks and meteors was fascinating, too. And a great story! You can't beat that.
October 19, 2021
Both my fourth and fifth grade boys liked this book. It had science and space and meteors and homeschool and friends and lots of different issues that they all related to.
December 23, 2021
Just adorable middle grade novel!
April 21, 2025
A lovely story of a Maine homeschooled Henry from a family of dowsers and a penchant for rocks that has a meteorite land on his property.
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July 31, 2025Geology, science and a touch of magical realism.
November 21, 2025
An excellent middle-grade novel, the characters in this book feel very real, and there is a depth of scientific knowledge and research that has clearly been put into this book.
November 16, 2021
I live in Maine and this book is deep Maine. Very much enjoy the realistic portrayal of a curious homeschooler.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews