Wahoo Cray lives in a backyard zoo in Florida, helping his father, Mickey, manage a menagerie of temperamental alligators and snakes. When Derek Badger, the egotistical star of a hit survival reality show, hires them to coordinate stunts in the Everglades, the production quickly spirals into chaos. Derek insists on faking dangerous encounters with wildlife to boost his ratings, only to get bitten by a wild bat and wander into a storm in a delusional state. Wahoo and his classmate Alice must navigate the swamp to find the missing star while dealing with Mickey’s short temper and a real-life pursuit by Alice's aggressive father.
Middle-grade readers who enjoy wilderness adventure and slapstick satire read this for the cynical look at how television networks manufacture drama. The story appeals to those interested in animal behavior and the ecological realities of the Florida wetlands versus the staged versions seen on screen. Readers finish the book with a clear understanding of the logistics behind animal handling and a perspective on the absurdity of celebrity culture. It provides a grounded, humorous contrast between genuine outdoor survival skills and the vanity of modern entertainment.
- Published
- 2012
- Language
- EN
