CHOMP by Carl Hiassen

I really enjoyed this book! The setting and realistic circumstances were sobering and grounding; the parents of the main character, Wahoo, have endured dire financial hardship, which is what leads Wahoo's dad to take the animal wrangling job on the Derek Badger Reality Show, "Expedition Survival."

The dialogue between Wahoo and his father seemed to illustrate their special bond. Though Wahoo knows his dad is far from perfect, he truly cares about him and his well being. He also cares about Tuna, a local girl in the Florida Everglades who is running from an abuse father who later shows up with a gun.

The character of Derek Badger is hilarious is a lot of fun to read. I could picture him bumbling through the Everglades, as confident in his abilities as Alfalfa was in his voice.

The only doink I have is the boatman speaking in "Ebonics," the Universal code in children's books to notate that the characters are Black/African-American. This is a pet peeve of mine, especially if the character is portrayed to be not so bright. I have seen this in one book too many.