  | Wrecker Author: Hiaasen, Carl | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
When fifteen-year-old Valdez Jones VIII, a.k.a. Wrecker, unwittingly becomes entangled with a group of smugglers and grave robbers, he must deep dive into their shady dealings in order to escape their twisted net.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.30 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 522323 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (07/15/23)
Booklist (+) (12/01/23)
The Hornbook (00/09/23)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 07/23/2023 *Starred Review* After a five-year absence from the youth sphere, Hiaasen makes a welcome return with a new mystery set in Key West. Drenched in local color, the story begins as 15-year-old Valdez Jones VIII (“Wrecker”) happens upon a suspicious boat while out fishing. That encounter is enough to get him unwillingly entangled with a dangerous smuggler, whom he refers to as Silver Mustache. Hiaasen packs his tale with rich character details, local history, and present-day concerns—from COVID-19 to the environmental degradation wrought by the tourism trade—all while carefully spinning a layered mystery that gets more serious with every turn. Wrecker is a wonderful protagonist by virtue of how average he is. He’s a good kid who’s awkward around girls and a bit of a loner. He also has an enduring pride in being descended from a long line of “wreckers” (people who free dive to salvage goods from shipwrecks), hence his self-ascribed nickname. Much of the story’s action takes place on the water, which makes for a nice change of pace. The other prominent location is the island’s cemetery, where Wrecker cleans tombstones and uncovers both a shameful piece of the island’s history and a big clue to Silver Mustache’s illegal operation. Wielding his writing talents and wit, Hiaasen seamlessly incorporates these disparate elements into one heck of a ride. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
