Hideout - Hardcover

Key, Watt

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374304823 ISBN 13: 9780374304829

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2017

Synopsis

In this riveting middle-grade adventure, the son of a Mississippi policeman finds a boy living on his own in the wilderness. Twelve-year-old Sam has been given a fishing boat by his father, but he hates fishing. Instead he uses the boat to disappear for hours at a time, exploring the forbidden swampy surroundings of his bayou home. Then he discovers a strange kid named Davey, mysteriously alone, repairing an abandoned cabin deep in the woods. Not fooled by the boy’s evasive explanation as to why he’s on his own, Sam becomes entangled in his own efforts to help Davey. But this leads him to telling small lies that only get bigger as the danger increases for both boys and hidden truths become harder to conceal.

This title has Common Core connections.

About this title

About the Author

Albert Watkins Key, Jr., publishing under the name Watt Key, is an award-winning southern fiction author. He grew up and currently lives in southern Alabama with his wife and family. Watt spent much of his childhood hunting and fishing the forests of Alabama, which inspired his debut novel, Alabama Moon, published to national acclaim in 2006. Alabama Moon won the 2007 E.B. White Read-Aloud Award, was included on Time Magazine's list of the Best One Hundred YA Books of All Time, and has been translated in seven languages.

Reviews

Gr 7 Up—An adventure story that follows in the tradition of Gary Paulsen's survival tales. After an embarassing incident at school, Sam's father gives Sam his own fishing boat. But Sam has never had any interest in fishing. While exploring the swamp near his house, he discovers a boy named Davey who has been living alone. Determined to help, Sam brings Davey food and supplies and strikes up a friendship. But Davey has a secret that could put the boys' lives in danger. Short chapters filled with action and adventure keep the pacing taut and will entice reluctant readers. Several references to marijuana use may make this selection more appropriate for mature readers. VERDICT A good pick for action/adventure fans.—Patrick Tierney, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School, Providence

Edition details

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0374304823
• ISBN 13: 9780374304829
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320