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Spineless

By Samantha Miguel, San
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.69 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth braves South Florida's swamps filled with wild boar, alligators, and hammerhead sharks, all while managing his asthma. Joined by heiresses Frankie and Lulu, he embarks on an adventure to discover a new species, confront thieves, and unravel a curse threatening the Hotel Paraiso amidst a deadly red tide. This thrilling tale combines humour, suspense, and a respect for science and nature in a storm-tossed climax.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for children intrigued by adventurous stories filled with nature, science, and a hint of mystery.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

This exciting middle grade adventure is Hoot for the Gilded Age—with scientific discoveries, secret plots, and surprisingly enormous fauna.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Wild boar, alligators, hammerhead sharks... Can twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth survive the swamps of South Florida? More importantly, can he survive his asthma attacks long enough to make a scientific discovery and fulfil his dream of becoming a real naturalist?

With the help of Frankie and Lulu, intrepid heiresses to the Hotel Paraiso, Algie embarks on the adventure of a lifetime as he escapes certain death, discovers a brand-new species, and goes head-to-head with diabolical thieves. All this unfolds while a deadly and mysterious red tide ravages the beaches and a possible curse threatens to close down the Hotel Paraiso for good.

Can Algie, Frankie, and Lulu save themselves, solve the mystery of the hotel’s curse, and save their never-before-seen species?

San Miguel concocts a comical and exciting tale that leads to a wild, suspenseful, storm-tossed climax while weaving in thoughtful ruminations on the necessity of giving science, people, and nature their just dues, too. Booklist, Starred Review

This exceptionally well-written story gives a nod to the era's fascination with creepy hauntings and dastardly secrets as it expertly transports readers into the atmosphere of 19th-century Florida, uniting well-drawn, nuanced characters with imaginative and tension-building plot twists... Pure storytelling at its best. Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Algie has a winsome urgency that makes him likeable... His relationships with his family and new friends are realistic and evolve as Algie, Frankie, and Lulu face dangerous adults. In the life-threatening denouement, Algie displays a nuanced empathy for others. School Library Journal

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781454946151

Publisher: Union Square & Co.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 March 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Union Square Kids

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 256

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Samantha Miguel, San Young Adult

About the Author

Samantha San Miguel grew up barefoot in South Florida. Growing up in this wild, diverse, and exuberant state taught Samantha a lifelong respect for the natural world with both its dangers and delight. Working there as an adult taught her a love for the colorful personalities that crowd the state s borders. And leaving it taught her that whether in Florida, Cuba, or anywhere else in the world, you can never be an exile if there s sunshine in your heart.

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