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Twelve Feet Down
Whoever said life would be easy…was a liar.
A car wreck took away his father and his leg. But a year later, thirteen-year-old Joseph McKinnon has a mission and it begins with an underground construction project in the woods.
Joe’s relying on dad’s buddy Fred to get the supplies he needs…and to keep things secret from mom. Aside from that, Joe plans to complete the project alone. But help keeps knocking, interference creates big problems, and soon the situation gets dangerous.
To make matters worse, Joe must deliver two speeches in his language arts class—the only thing he fears more than public speaking is death—but there’s no way to make it easier. Or is there?
Accepting help from others wasn’t part of the original plan. Neither was lying so much. And while there’s no telling how deep his lies will go, he’s definitely dug himself a hole…twelve feet down.
A car wreck took away his father and his leg. But a year later, thirteen-year-old Joseph McKinnon has a mission and it begins with an underground construction project in the woods.
Joe’s relying on dad’s buddy Fred to get the supplies he needs…and to keep things secret from mom. Aside from that, Joe plans to complete the project alone. But help keeps knocking, interference creates big problems, and soon the situation gets dangerous.
To make matters worse, Joe must deliver two speeches in his language arts class—the only thing he fears more than public speaking is death—but there’s no way to make it easier. Or is there?
Accepting help from others wasn’t part of the original plan. Neither was lying so much. And while there’s no telling how deep his lies will go, he’s definitely dug himself a hole…twelve feet down.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2016
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
John Penteros
4 books5 followersJohn Penteros is a math tutor and former engineer who resides in the thermal nightmare known as Arizona. As an engineer, he wrote long and tedious specifications, procedures, and reports peppered with "unprofessional" artifacts to see if anyone was paying attention. The occasional chuckling response lit a small fire within him, leading to other writing endeavors like the annual Christmas letter, which received mostly 5-star reviews.
John is also full of make-believe, and when he makes a statement to people who've known him for at least ten minutes, they know to ask themselves "Wait ... is he just kidding me?" Put those things together and you get someone who writes fiction.
John is also full of make-believe, and when he makes a statement to people who've known him for at least ten minutes, they know to ask themselves "Wait ... is he just kidding me?" Put those things together and you get someone who writes fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 22, 2017
Joe McKinnon is entering his teenage years having just lost his father and a leg—both the result of a vehicle accident. The story opens with Joe building an underground room for himself in a wooded area not far from where he lives. We don’t yet know the reason.
Joe must lie to his well-intentioned mother to keep his project a secret. Yet, he often demonstrates his love and respect for her. It’s what makes Joe an interesting character, he’s a good person, but does things his own way.
Fred, a friend of Joe’s father, is the first to find out about Joe’s project. Then a good-hearted neighbor, Mr. Pruitt. These characters must contend with the conflict of wanting to help Joe achieve his goal, while maintaining the responsibility they have as an adult.
Joe displays resiliency in overcoming the many obstacles he’s confronted with throughout the story that gets darker as a chain of events leads to a series of tragedies and concludes with a satisfying ending.
“Twelve Feet Down” is filled with intrigue—a ride you won’t forget.
Joe must lie to his well-intentioned mother to keep his project a secret. Yet, he often demonstrates his love and respect for her. It’s what makes Joe an interesting character, he’s a good person, but does things his own way.
Fred, a friend of Joe’s father, is the first to find out about Joe’s project. Then a good-hearted neighbor, Mr. Pruitt. These characters must contend with the conflict of wanting to help Joe achieve his goal, while maintaining the responsibility they have as an adult.
Joe displays resiliency in overcoming the many obstacles he’s confronted with throughout the story that gets darker as a chain of events leads to a series of tragedies and concludes with a satisfying ending.
“Twelve Feet Down” is filled with intrigue—a ride you won’t forget.
September 30, 2019
Okay, it took me a while to finish this one. I really don't know why actually. Maybe I was into Romance these past few days. I regret it! But anywayyy...
I didn't know that a book with a point-of-view of a thirteen-year-old kid would affect me this much.
One word. BEAUTIFUL.
To be honest, I didn't expect it to be this good. This book was heartfelt. I enjoyed it very much.
At first, I thought, hmm okay. This was impossible. How could they not know what the kid was doing? How could he get away from his mom? Or why did he have those things he was using in the first place?
But as the story goes by, come on. This book was amazing!
Joe was a kid who was trying to move on from the death of his father. For me, he was actually pretty good at it. He was giving his attention to productive things, although his ways are very dangerous and made him lied and break the rules. But he was just a kid who lost his father.
A lot of things happened, but his new found friends were an instrument to help him with his "project" and that was beautiful.
Fred, just like, Joe, have a lot of problems too that he was not telling or expressing. Maybe because Joe was a kid, and he needed someone, a father figure to look out for him, Fred did his best to help him. Without telling anyone he needed some help too. I love Fred. If you want to know more why, I would just tell you to read it. :)
This book is a great representation of a kid grieving and moving on at the same time. Also focuses a grown up problems that sometimes we don't notice.
This story left a mark in my heart. Can't wait to read the next book!! ❤
I didn't know that a book with a point-of-view of a thirteen-year-old kid would affect me this much.
One word. BEAUTIFUL.
To be honest, I didn't expect it to be this good. This book was heartfelt. I enjoyed it very much.
At first, I thought, hmm okay. This was impossible. How could they not know what the kid was doing? How could he get away from his mom? Or why did he have those things he was using in the first place?
But as the story goes by, come on. This book was amazing!
Joe was a kid who was trying to move on from the death of his father. For me, he was actually pretty good at it. He was giving his attention to productive things, although his ways are very dangerous and made him lied and break the rules. But he was just a kid who lost his father.
A lot of things happened, but his new found friends were an instrument to help him with his "project" and that was beautiful.
Fred, just like, Joe, have a lot of problems too that he was not telling or expressing. Maybe because Joe was a kid, and he needed someone, a father figure to look out for him, Fred did his best to help him. Without telling anyone he needed some help too. I love Fred. If you want to know more why, I would just tell you to read it. :)
This book is a great representation of a kid grieving and moving on at the same time. Also focuses a grown up problems that sometimes we don't notice.
This story left a mark in my heart. Can't wait to read the next book!! ❤
November 5, 2016
This is an enjoyable novel for young people from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old boy with a deep problem. John Penteros has looked into the boy’s mind and perfectly channeled his voice and inner life.
Most people don’t think about the sudden, irrevocable devastation a fatal car accident can bring, but young Joe has to after he loses his father and part of his own leg. Over the course of the novel he learns to heal and literally build his own space. The resulting story is both personal and suspenseful.
I highly recommend this book for a YA audience, especially boys.
Most people don’t think about the sudden, irrevocable devastation a fatal car accident can bring, but young Joe has to after he loses his father and part of his own leg. Over the course of the novel he learns to heal and literally build his own space. The resulting story is both personal and suspenseful.
I highly recommend this book for a YA audience, especially boys.
January 14, 2017
Savvy, satisfying, sophisticated. If this is what kids are reading these days, they'll turn out fine. My 11-year old grandnephew will love it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews