A wildly entertaining adventure involving snakes, grizzlies, a menacing drone, a missing father, and the kid determined to find him. In classic Hiaasen fashion, the animals here are wild, and the people are wilder!
Some facts about Billy Dickens: * He once saw a biker swerve across the road in order to run over a snake.
* Later, that motorcycle somehow ended up at the bottom of a canal.
* Billy isn't the type to let things go.
Some facts about Billy's family: * They've lived in six different Florida towns because Billy's mom insists on getting a house near a bald eagle nest.
* Billy's dad left when he was four and is a total mystery.
* Billy has just found his dad's address--in Montana.
This summer, Billy will fly across the country, hike a mountain, float a river, dodge a grizzly bear, shoot down a spy drone, save a neighbor's cat, save an endangered panther, and then try to save his own father.
"A fun romp that will keep readers hooked." —
The New York Times
On sale: March 10, 2020
Age: 10 and up
Grade: Grades 6-8
Page count: 304 Pages
ISBN: 9780385753005
Reading level: Lexile: 740L | Fountas/Pinnell: Y
CARL HIAASEN was born and raised in Florida. He writes a column for the
Miami Herald and is the author of many bestselling novels including
Bad Monkey, Razor Girl, and
Squeeze Me.
His books for younger readers include the Newbery Honor winner
Hoot, as well as
Flush, Scat, Squirm, and
Chomp.
Skink—No Surrender was Hiaasen's first book for teens and features one of his most iconic characters, the reclusive ex-governor of Florida now known as Skink.
You can read more about Hiaasen's work at carlhiaasen.com.
"A fun romp that will keep readers hooked." —
The New York Times"Humorous, self-deprecating narration and convoluted exploits will keep pages turning till the satisfying close." —
Kirkus Reviews "Hiaasen’s latest is richly steeped in the natural world and all the peril it contains, from rattlers to grizzlies. Still, what may be most satisfying for readers are the personal connections Billy makes, whether it’s getting to know his new stepsister or making peace with his dad." —
Booklist"Hiaasen’s ecological passion shows no sign of abatement, and neither does his faith in kid resourcefulness and family resilience." —
Bulletin"An entertaining, pulse-pounding story."—
The Horn Book Magazine
"Terrific characters and ingenious, fast-paced storytelling." —
The Atlanta Journal Constitution
"Hilarious, heartfelt and delightfully surprising." —
The Times Herald
