Skink–No Surrender

Fourteen-year-old Richard Sloan has a bizarre encounter with a gnarly-looking old geezer while waiting to meet up with his cousin Malley at the beach. Richard is curious about this homeless man named Clint Tyree. Clint, better known as Skink, is himself curious about Richard’s cousin, who is a no-show. After doing some web searching, Richard not only learns that Skink is a former Floridian governor, but that he is also listed as deceased. Undoubtedly, Skink is a conundrum. Nonetheless, Richard will have to embark on a crazy journey with none other than Skink to rescue Malley when she decides to take off with a complete stranger.

Multi-award winning author Carl Hiaasen has produced a novel that includes one of his most memorable characters: Skink. Earmarked for teens, Hiaasen’s narrative richly incorporates un-hackneyed twists and turns and a slew of contrast amid well-developed characters. While chapters are replete with hilarious dialogue laced with sarcastic one-liners and comebacks, Hiassen aptly interweaves information on Floridian wildlife and associated environmental issues. Engaging from beginning to end, Skink – No Surrender is certain to be a favorite teen read.