Sunday, March 17, 2019

Squirm by Carl Hiaasen - ESSENTIAL

Squirm by Carl Hiaasen. Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin Random House LLC), 2018. $19

Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Having no fear of snakes makes Billy a great defender of those who are picked on because he can use snakes to intimidate bullies. This does occasionally get him in trouble, but when he goes after a dad he has never known who lives in Montana and chases poachers, it serves as a tool in his adventures.

This is an adventure story at its best. It has wild animals and untamed wilderness, but also long lost dads and moms who move according to the eagle population. The novel is beautifully paced, with a lot of balance between plot and character development.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

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