Book Review: Chomp

This newest book by Carl Hiaasen, Chomp, is every bit as good as the first book I read by Hiaasen, Hoot.  I had great fun reading Hoot as a read-aloud for the fifth grade class I worked with back in DeKalb.  This newest book would make an excellent read-aloud, as well.  I consider the first sentence an excellent example of a good hook: "Mickey Cray had been out of work ever since a dead iguana fell from a palm tree and hit him on the head."

Wahoo Cray, Mickey's son, knows that times are tough, so despite his father's pounding headaches and double vision, he accepts a job for his father with a television series for a survivalist show.  The lead actor, Derek Badger, is set to film an episode in the Florida Everglades and they are hoping to find a large alligator for him to wrestle.  Mickey and Wahoo set off on an adventure, assisting the bumbling Badger through wild terrain, accompanied by a fellow classmate of Wahoo's, Tuna Gordon, who is on the run from her alcoholic, gun-wielding father.  Derek Badger gets chomped by numerous things: an alligator, a snapping turtle, 2 snakes, a bat, and numerous mosquitoes, before he disappears suddenly into the Everglades.  While attempting to find this star, who is anything but a survivalist, Wahoo, Mickey and Tuna must also attempt to evade capture by Tuna's lunatic father.

This book was full of action and kept up a wonderful pace.  It would appeal to both male and female young adult readers.  Like Hoot, this book pairs two believable teenagers in a fight against a society that often ignores or violates the natural scheme of things.  Readers will find a wonderful description of Florida's wildest environs, along with information about various species of animals that populate the area.  I recommend this book as an entertaining young adult read.