Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen
| Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiassen | |
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| Category: Teens | |
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Reviewer: Tanj Jennings
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| Summary: The alligator-savaged ISBN on the back cover sets the satirical tone for this rambunctious, rollicking, rip roaring rollercoaster road trip along the Choctawhatchee river basin in Florida. Hiassen skilfully entertains and educates with a madcap, adrenaline-fuelled adventure that has a strong, socially conscious and serious message for teens. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 281 | Date: May 2015 |
| Publisher: Orion Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 9781780622194 | |
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Skink No Surrender is a love letter to the wildlife of Florida which Hiassen clearly cares passionately about. The narrative is engaging and fast paced peppered with references to literature, folk legends, the ecological history of the area, the importance of conservation and the art of fishing. Hiassen's protagonists are vividly observed and fully rounded. Skink is an eccentric, crazy, courageous, reckless renegade with an anarchic, devil-may-care approach and a no nonsense attitude. He is a good-hearted protector of the innocent, possesses an assortment of false eyes, wrangles alligators, battles storms, lectures on politeness and deals out rough justice. His portrait is messianic and folkloric in places. Richard is plucky and loyal but is he in over his head? Malley is selfish, stubborn, caustic, sarky and brave but also vulnerable and susceptible to charm.
Why has Richard's cousin Malley run away? Who is Talbo Chock? Who is Tommy Chalmers? Who is Clint Tyree? Who is Trent? Who are Nickel and Dime? How much danger is the sassy, sharp Malley really in? Is Skink more of a liability than a saviour? Can Richard salve his conscience and put right a wrong that has been niggling him? How is East of Eden linked to driving a car? What is a sasquatch? What would you do if confronted by a wild boar? What is the difference between an Ivory Billed and a Pileated Woodpecker? How do you protect nesting Sea Turtles from poachers? How do you prevent mosquito bites in the Panhandle? Why is Silent Spring significant? How are a skateboard and a delivery truck linked? Would you trust someone in an Internet chat room? What is the significance of a straw in the sand? What is Skink's real history?And just what role has a Gator to play in the whole scenario? For the answer to all these questions and more read Skink No Surrender.
For more wise cracking ecological adventures dive into Chomp and Scat both by Hiassen. If you are thirsty for even more zaniness try another story that offers an ecological warning wrapped inside a fantastical, wildly imaginative, bizarre adventure and experience the wacky world of Un-Lun-Dun by China Mieville.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen at Amazon.com.
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