Skink - No Surrender

Two teenagers living in Florida share a bond over searching for sea turtle nests on the beach at night. When Malley disappears, her cousin Richard meets a mysterious man called Skink who emerges from beneath the sand where he had been lying in wait for turtle egg poachers. Richard discovers that Malley has run away with someone she met online who is using a false identity. The police investigation yields few results, leaving Richard desperate to find his missing cousin and best friend. Skink, a former governor turned wild-man vigilante, joins forces with Richard on a dangerous mission through Florida's wilderness to locate Malley. The unlikely pair must navigate treacherous terrain and face multiple threats while racing against time. This young adult adventure explores themes of friendship, trust, and the risks of online deception while highlighting environmental conservation in Florida's unique landscape.

Readers appreciate the book's blend of humor, environmental messages, and Florida wildlife details. Many found Skink to be an engaging character who appeals to both teens and adults, with several noting his quirky personality and survival skills add entertainment value. Positive reviews highlight the pacing, authentic teenage dialogue, and balance of serious themes with lighter moments. Parents commented that it works well as a family read-aloud. Common criticisms include that the plot becomes predictable and some found the environmental messaging heavy-handed. A portion of readers felt the story lacked depth compared to Hiaasen's adult novels. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (460+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One frequent teen reviewer comment: "Skink makes survival skills and nature facts interesting without feeling like a lecture." A recurring parent review note: "This introduced my kids to Hiaasen's style while staying age-appropriate."

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen A middle school boy works to protect endangered owls from developers in Florida while uncovering small-town corruption and environmental crimes.

Peak by Roland Smith A teen climber faces life-threatening challenges on Mount Everest while confronting family relationships and personal demons.

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby Two teenagers must survive in the Florida Everglades after their airboat breaks down, forcing them to navigate swamps, wildlife, and natural dangers.

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson An eleven-year-old boy travels alone through New England after his mother abandons him at a campground, leading to a journey of survival and self-discovery.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart A sick boy runs away with his dog to climb Mount Rainier, leading to a wilderness adventure that tests his physical and emotional limits.

🦅 Skink, the eccentric ex-governor character, appears in several of Hiaasen's adult novels before making his YA debut in "Skink - No Surrender" - his first crossover into teen literature. 🌿 The book's wilderness settings draw from Florida's real endangered ecosystems, including coastal dunes and wetlands that Hiaasen actively campaigns to protect as an environmental journalist. 👁️ The character Skink's missing eye (lost to a golf ball) and diet of roadkill are based on actual Florida wildlife survival behaviors - many native species are opportunistic scavengers. 📰 Before becoming a novelist, Carl Hiaasen worked as an investigative journalist for the Miami Herald, where his columns about Florida corruption and environmental issues often inspired his fiction plots. 🎯 The novel's theme of online predators was influenced by real cases from Florida's Crimes Against Children unit, where investigators pose as teens to catch perpetrators - a subject Hiaasen covered as a reporter.