Sep 10, 2002 | 304 Pages | Young Adult
Oct 12, 2004 | 390 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up)
Sep 10, 2002 | 385 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up)
“It seems unlikely that the master of noir-tinged, surrealistic black humor would write a novel for young readers. And yet, there has always been something delightfully juvenile about Hiaasen’s imagination; beneath the bent cynicism lurks a distinctly 12-year-old cackle. In this thoroughly engaging tale of how middle schooler Roy Eberhardt, new kid in Coconut Cove, learns to love South Florida, Hiaasen lets his inner kid run rampant, both the subversive side that loves to see grown-ups make fools of themselves and the righteously indignant side, appalled at the mess being made of our planet. The story is full of offbeat humor, buffoonish yet charming supporting characters, and genuinely touching scenes of children enjoying the wildness of nature. He deserves a warm welcome into children’s publishing.”—Booklist
“A wonderful tour-de-force.”—The Boston Globe
“A rollicking, righteous story.”—The Miami Herald
“You don’t have to be a young adult to enjoy it.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Yes, it is a hoot.”—The Washington Post Book World
ALA Best Books for Young Adults WINNER 2003
ALA Notable Children’s Book WINNER 2003
Connecticut Nutmeg Children’s Book Award WINNER 2006
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award WINNER 2005
Iowa Teen Book Award WINNER 2005
Kentucky Bluegrass Master List WINNER 2004
Maine Student Book Master List WINNER 2003
Minnesota Maud Heart Lovelace Award WINNER 2005
Newbery Honor Book WINNER 2003
Pennsylvania Keystone State Reading Association Book Award WINNER 2003
Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award WINNER 2003
Texas Lone Star Reading List WINNER 2003
Arizona Young Readers Award NOMINEE 2005
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award NOMINEE 2005
Florida Sunshine State Book Award NOMINEE 2003
Hawaii Nene Award NOMINEE 2005
Massachusetts Children’s Book Award FINALIST 2004
