Squirm

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

A wildly entertaining adventure involving snakes, grizzlies, a menacing drone, a missing father, and the kid determined to find him. In classic Hiaasen fashion, the animals here are wild, and the people are wilder!

Some facts about Billy Dickens:

• He once saw a biker swerve across the road in order to run over a snake.
• Later, that motorcycle somehow ended up at the bottom of a canal.
• Billy isn't the type to let things go.

Some facts about Billy's family:

• They've lived in six different Florida towns because Billy's mom insists on getting a house near a bald eagle nest.
• Billy's dad left when he was four and is a total mystery.
• Billy has just found his dad's address - in Montana.

This summer, Billy will fly across the country, hike a mountain, float a river, dodge a grizzly bear, shoot down a spy drone, save a neighbor's cat, save an endangered panther, and then try to save his own father.

"A fun romp that will keep readers hooked." (The New York Times)

©2018 Carl Hiaasen (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Humorous, self-deprecating narration and convoluted exploits will keep pages turning till the satisfying close." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Hiaasen’s latest is richly steeped in the natural world and all the peril it contains, from rattlers to grizzlies. Still, what may be most satisfying for readers are the personal connections Billy makes, whether it’s getting to know his new stepsister or making peace with his dad." (Booklist)

"Hiaasen’s ecological passion shows no sign of abatement, and neither does his faith in kid resourcefulness and family resilience." (Bulletin)

Clearly for younger readers

Readers hoping for another adult novel like Strip Tease, Stormy Weather, Lucky You, or Sick Puppy will be disappointed by Squirm This book is clearly intended for tweeners and young adolescent readers, as evidenced by thirteen/fourteen-year-old Billy Dickens sayiing expletive instead using the curse words that might offend some parents and school personnel. Billy will appeal to many young readers who have experienced school bullying and divorced parents. He stands up for himself and others; of course, some of his bravado is pretty implausible. Younger readers will also admire the way he uses his wiles to outwit a number of adults.

Billy's mother exhibits some of Hiaasen's prototypical wackiness, basing here choice of homes on where she can see eagles. Some of the other characters Billy encounters are similarly eccentric .Hiaasen includes some historical background about both Florida and Montana. He also provides some insights into the effects of poaching endangered species. His pro-environmentalist feelings are fairly obvious.

As a retired middle school reading teacher, I was familiar with some of Hiaasen's other books for young readers such as the award winning Hoot. Thus, I knew what to expect. Perhaps the publisher's summary or Audible's promotional material should have made clear the intended audience, so as not to disappoint those expecting more mature fare.

Hiaasen scores another win!

I have loved every Hiaasen book that I've ever read ... this book is one I'll highly recommend to friends & grandchildren alike. Like most of his writings SQUIRM teaches respect for flora, fauna & our environment. ... & as always, shows how people will totally disregard & destroy things for money or ego. A good read.

Great Book For Middle Schoolers!

Wagner, SD , Eighth Grade Students Loved It! Their Favorite Part Was When the Mother Griz & Cubs Appeared.

Nature tour, adventure, crime scene excitement.

A few tears, lots of excitement, nature revisits make this adventure story worthy of a good review and great way to spend a rainy day. loved it.

Excellent

great story. all of this author books are excellent with many plot twist and turns

Probably great for children

I tend to just buy books by Carl Hiaasen immediatly when I see them. I forget that sometimes he writes for children og young adults. This is one of those, and I've passed 40. I read/listened through to the end, so the story isn't that bad. It did feal a bit tame though.

I started reading it, and switched to audible about half way through. The narators voice felt really odd, and that feeling stuck to the end.

have enjoyed other hiaasen books more

love this writter and have been waiting for a new publication but just didn't hit like past books.

Nature and Technology can coexist

Classic Hiaasen! A good read for the entire family. A very relavent story with a great message.

Another Carl Hiassen young adult winner!

This is only predictable in that the hero’s protect the environment, the bad guy is a selfish greedy xxxxxxx and nature wins in the end. Carl Hiaasen’s young adult books give a lesson readers of all ages need. I’m over 70 years ago. Reading this makes me want to go out and protect snakes, eagles, grizzlies, pumas and all things wild again. Right on Carl!

Great even for Hiaasen

Enjoyed the book and performance immensely. Fun plot, good for a broad age range as well