What worked:
Wrecker’s home life is a bit complicated as his father left to become a famous country singer. His mother has remarried and she’s a high-maintenance wife, although his wealthy stepfather is able to afford her numerous plastic surgeries. It was mutually decided that Wrecker would be better off living somewhere else so he’s currently sharing a place with his stepsister Suzanne. She’s forced to use a wheelchair but that doesn’t stop her from staying involved in protesting for environmental issues. Wrecker is given a lot of independence so much of his free time is spent fishing in the ocean and helping others. He’s pretty much a loner but he’s okay with that.
Wrecker tries to set an impressive example of honesty and empathy for others. He knows there’s something wrong about taking money from the men on the boat and he’s uncomfortable spending it on anything he might want. He helps an old man by visiting the local cemetery every day to clean iguana poop off his sister’s gravestone. He makes time to join Suzanne’s various protests and environmental efforts. Unfortunately, fear of Silver Mustache, a shady character forcing Wrecker to take money, finds Wrecker getting himself into deeper and deeper trouble. However, Wrecker does all he can to keep Willi, a classmate from school, from getting mixed up in his problems. In the end, he also shows readers that he’s one clever young man.
Willi is a highlight of the story as she comes with an air of mystery. She injects herself into Wrecker’s life and her flirtatious manner adds some levity to the events. She then turns around and doesn’t respond to Wrecker’s texts and phone calls leaving him worrying about her safety. She shares very little about her home life, but at one point, she says something about having trouble with a boy in her life. The truth about this problem opens up issues related to other issues in the book. Perhaps Willi and Wrecker will have a relationship beyond friends when everything’s said and done, but maybe not.
What didn’t work as well:
There might be too much going on than is necessary. Wrecker has his dysfunctional family dynamics, there’s Silver Mustache guy, Willi and her problems, protest efforts to keep large boats away, stories of people buried in the cemetary, the Co-vid pandemic, and Wrecker’s family’s past as treasure divers. All of these things are interesting but perhaps there could be a couple less.
The Final Verdict:
The author weaves criminals, racism, family, friends, and environmental activism into a cohesive, enjoyable story. Maybe there’s too much going on but the focus on Wrecker is worth any distractions. Overall, it’s a highly entertaining book and I recommend you give it a shot.

It's always a delight to dive into a Carl Hiaasen book, and this was no exception! This time, Hiaasen transports us to Key West to meet Valdez Jones VIII, aka Wrecker. I loved seeing the world (especially Florida!) through his eyes.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

I have been waiting for a new middle grade Hiaasen book! I liked this one, but I'm not sure I was ready to read about the Covid pandemic yet (and that's just me). I liked how current the content was and how he handled the events. I loved Wrecker and the other characters. I thought the history with the cemetery people was interesting and provided a nice break from the pandemic content.

Valdez Jones VIII comes from a long and proud family tradition of “wrecking”, or salvaging goods from shipwrecks in the Florida Keys. Preferring to go by the name of Wrecker, Valdez is a teenage loner, preferring his job of cleaning a tombstone of iguana poop than being around people. He also likes to take his skiff out on the water, and when he sees a stranded speedboat stuck in shallow water, he offers to help. Suddenly, Wrecker finds himself involved in a dastardly scheme and for the first time might need to turn to others for help. The plot, although a bit dated, will keep readers engaged in every twist and turn until the riveting conclusion.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher did the opportunity to read an advance copy. This was a great story! The main character was funny and clever. He was a bit older than middle grade, but the story reminded me of the old Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys stories with older main characters, but appropriate for a younger audience. What a fun mystery!

Carl Hiaasen never misses. I enjoyed the story very much, and the mystery kept me hooked the whole way through. I loved Wrecker's character and personality, he's one of those teen heroes with a heart of gold that's very easy to root for. While I enjoyed all the different side characters and plots, I do wish they all came together better in some way in the end.

This book doesn't read like a classic Hiaasen book and that's ok. It's centered around the pandemic and that really drives the plot. I wasn't a huge fan of Willi as a character and felt that some of the plot points didn't make sense even by Hiaasen standards. That said, still loved the book. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

This book is set during the time of Covid, which a lot of writers ignore. (Not that I blame them. Who wants to read about Covid? Not me!) But Hiaasen handles it with aplomb as he gives us high-school-aged Valdez Jones VII, nicknamed “Wrecker” because he is the eighth generation descendent of a 19th century diver who sought salvage from sunken ships.

Wrecker earns money in some odd ways, including grave marker washing, to keep iguanas from pooping on the tombstones. Through this, he and his gal pal Mimi get reluctantly yanked into suspicious activity in Key West. As in many Hiaasen thrillers for a younger audience, the teens solve the case, environmental concerns are highlighted, the crooks end up behind bars, leaving a satisfying tale.

I love Hiaasen's style. I bought his books for my shelves when I was a junior high teacher, and my better readers loved them. Even though I'm retired now, I enjoy his books for my own sake--and to mention to nieces and nephews.

Hiaasen has a way with characters that just makes his books that step above. Having only read his middle grade books I can't compare but I would imagine that his adult books are just as good. This was another great read topical read that kept a very clean line between heavy and light hearted. Can't wait to be able to put this in the hands of readers who loved Hoot and Flush.

In Wrecker, Carl Hiaasen has once again created memorable characters and a great storyline. The book begins with Wrecker (Valdez Jones the eighth) out on his fishing skiff where he sees a speedboat that is run aground. The men on the speedboat call to Wrecker for help. His skiff is simply too small to be helpful and he offers to call for help - that offer is refused and the men entice him to at least try. He tries and fails, but they pay him saying remember that you never saw us.
This is just the start of poor Wrecker's involvement with these apparently shady men. Just how much trouble will our young "hero" get into? And how will he get out of all that trouble? Or will he?
And speaking of trouble, Wrecker meets a girl one night when he is doing his part time job at the cemetery. Yes, he has a "job" keeping a single grave clean - every night. The girl that he meets is a mystery, is she really his friend?
The characters are well developed and you will be quickly drawn into this story. There are plenty of fun surprises to keep you reading right up until the (very satisfying) end.

Wrecker is a teenage boy in the Florida Keys during the COVID pandemic. Writing about that period was very interesting - I wonder how young readers will relate. I also like how the author combined some real interesting historical facts about the Florida Keys that I had never heard of. This author’s previous kids literature has emphasized the ecological changes in Florida but it is nice to see that he has added an historical perspective as well. The main character is relatable to middle schoolers and the relationship with his stepsister and friend Willi is compelling as well. Perhaps a series with these characters would be fun!

Carl Hiaasen once again brings his humor and signature style. We love putting out his books in our libraries here in Florida :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC.

This is the story of Valdez Jones VIII or Wrecker. He comes from a long line of salvage divers. That is until his father, who changed his name and became a singer. Wrenker is out on his boat, when he comes upon a boat grounded in the flats. One thing leads to another and suddenly he is helping a smuggling ring. This book will keep you on the edge of your seats. It deals with a lot of heavy issues-covid, smuggling, KKK, just to name a few.

I am sure this is going to be another popular book by Carl Hiassen. It is definitely meant for middle grades vs. later elementary.

Carl Hiassen has created a bracing adventure and his writing keeps the pages turning and the pace high. Wrecker is a likeable youthful voice and this adventure will surely be enticing for many young readers.

Valdez Jones VIII . Who prefers to be called Wrecker or Wreck, comes from a long line of salvage divers (except for his dad who took off to find his way in Nashville as country singer, composer artist).
Wrecker comes upon a stranded go fast boat and helps pull it off of grounded flats. From there the story progresses in predictable Hiaasen manner. Cemeteries, smuggling and environmentalism all become a part of a Key West tale. Not your typical novel as it is targeted to the young adult market. An entertaining tale and easy read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advance copy given for review.
Another winner by Carl Hiaasen.

This is one of Hiaasen’s middle grade/young adult books; I will read anything by this author. I am way past “young adult”, yet I think this may be my favorite of his books. Maybe it was the Key West setting (one of our beloved places to get away to for a few days), or the iguana droppings I am constantly cleaning off our dock, or Hiiaasen’s ever present environmental messages, or the history infused into the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Set during the time of Covid, it features fifteen year old Valdez Jones VII, nicknamed “Wrecker” because he is the eighth generation descendent of a 19th century diver who sought salvage from sunken ships. When he and his friend, Mimi, discover criminal activity in Key West, he gets involuntarily involved with it. Together, they save themselves and help put some crooks behind bars.

This is a fun adventure story interspersed with interesting history and, of course, environmental concerns. Sometimes Hiaasen’s writing can be a bit over the top, but I thought this one wasn’t at all. Some non Floridans may think it a bit crazy at times, but believe me as a south Floridian, it’s all feasible.

Although I am familiar with Key West and have roamed through the cemetery there, I learned quite a bit from this book, especially about the early non tolerance and pervasive presence of the Ku Klux Klan in this laid back community. I also wasn’t aware, touched on in this story and through further research on my own, that because the water was so much cleaner during the Covid cruise ship ban, sixty two percent of the voters supported a local referendum to restrict the size and capacity of cruisers that visit its ports. The Florida Senate, in 2021, passed a bill that voided the referendum and it was signed by the governor. So much for the will of the people.

I’d love to see a series featuring these two beguiling teenagers.

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Valdez Jones the VIII, who calls himself "Wrecker" has a lot going on in his life, even though he lives in easy going Key West during the pandemic. His father left the family when he was very young, in order to pursue a musical career. Wrecker is fifteen now, and his father's career is just taking off, with a song ripping off both The Eagles and Jimmy Buffett. His mother is remarried to Roger, who has suggested that their house is too small, so Wrecker lives with his step sister Suzanna, who is in a wheelchair after an accident. After a financial settlement, she has devoted her time to championing environmental causes. Wrecker has an odd job; an older man, Mr. Riley, on his street pays his $50 a week to keep a grave at the local cemetary clean. He finds out a decent amount about local history looking at the other gravestones, and since he cleans it at night, also comes across some shady characters. One of these, whom he refers to as Silver Mustache, is a man he meets when he is out of his small boat, and the man and his friends run into a shoal. They hope that Wrecker can help them, so they can avoid being fined for damaging the shoal. Silver Mustache throws Wrecker a beer can with $500 in it for "trying" to help, and we all know that being indebted to shady characters is a bad plan. Sure enough, odd things keep happening. Wrecker and his friend Willi find Silver Mustache's speedboat wrecked, and true to his heritage (the original Valdez Jones was a Black man who dove to retrieve things from shipwrecks) Wrecker saves several packages from the boat, which turn out to be illegal fake vaccination cards. Silver Mustache has too much information about him, but Wrecker doesn't know how to disentangle himself. He ends up watching a suspicious grave for the smuggler as well. He attends school, both online and occasionally in person, hangs out with Willi, and agrees to help Suzanna, who is planning a blockade to keep cruise ships from landing in the area, which has been damaging the ecosystem. Mr. Riley passes away, and his house goes up for sale, and Wrecker is accosted by a police officer when trying to meet Willi at her house, an incident that underlines the history of horrible behavior towards Blacks in Key West. Will Wrecker be able to extricate himself from Silver Mustache's activities before they cause him grief?
Strengths: Mr. Hiaasen always does a great job including a lot of history as well as environmental messages. I didn't know, for instance, that the waters around Key West became healthier when cruise ships no longer stopped there during the pandemic. I found Mr. Riley and his story interesting. This felt a little like Deuker's 2005 Runner or Connelly's Brawler, with the ties to illegal jobs that are too good to be true, but Wrecker is fully aware that Silver Mustache is not a good person to have around. Willi is a good ally most of the time, and Suzanna is a stable influence who contrasts well with Wrecker's flighty mother. The nighttime antics will appeal to readers who want to be allowed out at night to get into trouble!
Weaknesses: I would have purchased this without blinking fifteen years ago, but it seems more involved and complicated than the mysteries my students request now. I'd definitely purchase it for a high school library.
What I really think: This seems like more of a YA mystery; it's more introspective, Wrecker has a lot of freedom, and there is some disturbing history involving suicide, affairs, and lynchings. If you're a fan of the more solidly middle grade Hoot, I'd read this one before purchasing. This is more along the lines of Skink or Squirm.

Hiaasen is always a favorite in my Media Center. His portrayal of the environs of Key West are always right-on-target and intriguing. The main character, Wrecker, is a sensitive and intelligent character who is certain to get a charge out of his readers.
I would definitely recommend his many other books to my older elementary school readers but this book appears to be aimed toward middle and, even more so, high schoolers. Hiaasen incorporates the Covid vaccine controversy well as detailing the KKK in this book. He does this in a way that makes it comprehensible to its readers and I commend him for it.
This is an exciting read and I expected nothing less.

I have always enjoyed Carl Hiassen's books. Amidst absurd, bizarre, and often almost unbelievable situations, he inserts wise truths and insights that resonate with young readers. It probably also helps that I am a native South Floridian and find his stories authentic to the state. They are also and frequently hilarious.

This book moves his work squarely into the younger readers of the YA genre...and he continues to create an intriguing, suspenseful story with plenty of snarky humor. Centering a plot around Key West graveyards, shipwrecks, and criminals allows for lots of weird events ( grave robbers and iguanas who poop daily on graves), references to local seafaring history, the effects of Covid 19, and and the perils of illegal smuggling, to name just a few of the themes. Many of these themes will resonate with his readers.

Wrecker, the main character, was interesting and mostly believable. He has to deal with some serious situations, but manages to extricate himself using his intelligence and problem - solving skills. Hiassen did an excellent job showing how easily a teenager can be lured into a seemingly harmless situation that turns increasingly dark and perilous. Wrecker's strong sense of right and wrong and his savvy knowledge of the town help him thwart the bad guys and bring them to justice. It is a bit of a stretch to believe a fifteen year old could construct such a complex plan, but this is YA lit so I could suspend my disbelief.Wrecker also contends with family issues like Covid, a mother who is only interested in her latest plastic surgery procedure, and a deadbeat musician father while coming to terms with the family legacy of racism. All in all, he is a good role model for young teen readers.

Willi is Wrecker's partner in crime. She is spunky, resourceful, and somewhat of a free spirit. Although she sometimes "ghosts" Wrecker, she comes through at a critical time and effectively helps him with the final plan to get the smugglers arrested. She is also wrestling with Key West 's racist past. The two realize their ancestors played critical roles in that past, although on opposite sides. There is believable banter between her and Wrecker.

Thanks to Knopf Books for Young Readers for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.






--
Dr. Amy A. McClure
Emerita Rodefer Professor of Education
Past President, Ohio Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
Past President, Children's Literature Assembly of NCTE
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, Ohio 43015
aamcclur@owu.edu

This book was for a more mature audiance than Haissan's normal crowd. It dealt heavily with vaccinations and then the random KKK story thrown in. Overall, I think he was doing too much with too little character development,.