Out of the Deeps

illustrated by Nicolas Debon
Orca, 2008

Out of the Deeps recounts a 12-year-old Canadian boy’s first day of work in a coal mine. A multifaceted story that presents engaging insights into the dangers, drama and history of mid-twentieth-century coal mining.

Like many children throughout Canada’s history, Savino had to quit school when he was twelve to work and help his family. In Out of the Deeps, Savino spends his first day at the mine working alongside his father and Nelson, his father’s pit pony. When Savino’s headlamp goes out deep in the coal mine, Nelson leads Savino out of the danger.

In 1944 the miners received their first paid holiday and insisted that their pit ponies receive a week’s holiday too. In Out of the Deeps, Anne Laurel Carter captures a boy’s first day at work in the mines and a special pit pony’s first glimpse of daylight.