A review by franuary
Skink--No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen

4.0

Richard’s cousin Malley has always been impulsive, but when she runs off with a man she met online to avoid boarding school, Richard starts to seriously worry about her safety. Enter Skink, a one-eyed former-governor-turned-eco-renegade who is more than confident that he can help Richard bring Malley back home. What follows is a hilarious, madcap trip through Florida’s swamps and waterways as they encounter angry gators, wild hogs, and more than a little adventure.

Hiaasen again hits the nail on the head with his particular blend of eco-warrior humor. I love Hiaasen’s unique writing style, and I was thrilled to see Skink, a character from his adult novels, make his first appearance in a book for younger readers. Worry not fans, Skink is in no way toned down from his previous appearances - you’ll find the same character you’ve come to know and love, just with a younger traveling companion. I couldn’t put this one down. Longlisted for the 2014 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. A must buy for public libraries.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Random House Children’s and to NetGalley for the advance copy!