Out of Air

Gr 8 Up–When she was young, Phoebe “Phibs” Ray’s mom dropped her off at her grandparents’ house in the Florida Keys before disappearing altogether. Now, only Phoebe and her grandma, who has dementia, remain. A water lover, Phoebe spends most of her time scuba diving with her friends—nicknamed the Salt Squad—taking photos and videos for their popular social media channel while trying to forget the financial disparity between herself and her wealthy friends. After high school graduation, the friends decide to go to a remote part of Australia for one last epic diving trip before starting the next chapter of their lives. But these waters hide a secret—legend says there’s a cave full of treasures deep beneath the waves that also brings stories of cursed sailors returning to shore, not quite human. Alternating between the present in Australia and Phoebe’s past, listeners gradually learn more about her parents and a secret the Salt Squad has been hiding, which may all be connected. Reiss vividly depicts the claustrophobic pressure of being deep underwater, and Shalan’s narration during Phoebe’s panic moments heightens the suspense. Phoebe’s teenage insecurities and reactions feel genuine, making her an interesting protagonist.