Chomp

Wahoo Cray lives with his father Mickey, a professional animal wrangler in Florida, where they care for a variety of wild creatures on their property. When a reality TV show hires them to provide animals for filming in the Everglades, they accept the job despite Mickey's recent head injury. The show's star, Derek Badger, proves difficult to work with as he attempts to fake survival skills for the camera while treating both animals and crew with disregard. A classmate named Tuna joins the Crays on their expedition, complicating an already tense situation. The production faces mounting challenges in the Everglades as Derek's inexperience with real wildlife leads to multiple mishaps and reveals the artificial nature of reality television. The situation escalates when Derek makes an impulsive decision that puts everyone at risk. This middle-grade novel combines adventure and humor while exploring themes of authenticity, respect for nature, and the contrast between Hollywood artifice and genuine wilderness experience.

Readers find this middle-grade novel entertaining and lighter than Hiaasen's other works. Parents and teachers note it works well as a read-aloud book that keeps kids engaged. Readers appreciated: - The Florida wildlife facts and environmental messages - Humor that appeals to both kids and adults - Realistic father-son relationship - Strong female characters - Educational value about animal handling and TV production Common criticisms: - Plot moves slower than Hoot or Flush - Less mystery/suspense than other Hiaasen books - Some found the ending anticlimactic - Character development felt rushed for supporting cast Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (19,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (850+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Perfect for animal lovers but might bore action-seeking readers," noted one teacher reviewer. A parent commented, "The wildlife facts kept my son interested even when the plot dragged." Multiple reviews praised the authentic depiction of working with animals.

Scat by Carl Hiaasen Students investigate an environmental mystery in the Florida swamps while dealing with a missing teacher and endangered panthers.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen A middle school boy and his friends work to protect burrowing owls from a construction project threatening their habitat.

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman A student faces consequences after writing an honest review of a classic book for class and starts a chain of events involving the school play and unexpected alliances.

Flush by Carl Hiaasen Two siblings gather evidence to prove a casino boat is dumping sewage into their Florida Keys harbor.

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman A group of misfit students and their burned-out teacher become unexpected allies while uncovering a testing scandal at their school.

🌿 Carl Hiaasen worked as an investigative journalist for the Miami Herald for over 35 years, which helped shape his detailed knowledge of Florida's ecology and corruption. 🐊 The Everglades ecosystem featured in the book is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles naturally coexist in the wild. 📺 The book's premise was partially inspired by the real-life surge of survival reality shows in the 2000s, including "Survivor" and "Man vs. Wild." 🦅 The main character's unusual name, Wahoo, is shared with a species of fish found in Florida waters that can swim up to 60 miles per hour. 🌴 Many of the animal handling techniques described in the book are based on actual practices used by professional wildlife wranglers in Florida's entertainment industry.