Chomp
Amazon Best Books of the Month for Kids, April 2012: Carl Hiaasen taps into a pop culture phenomenon inChompby taking on the popularity of reality television shows with one of his own, “Expedition Survival!.” The Florida Everglades provide the perfect backdrop for a reality survival show and Mickey Cray, a wild animal wrangler, and his son Wahoo are hired to keep the pamperedExpedition Survival!star from accidentally killing himself with the local wildlife.  The Cray’s are joined by a girl on the run from her abusive father and adventure, laughter, and even a mysterious disappearance follow.   The eccentric characters and wacky humor that make Hiaasen’s adult books so much fun to read carry over to the pages ofChompand Wahoo’s voice of reason in the cacophony of unpredictable adults is an appealing dynamic for young readers.--Seira Wilson