skink—no surrender - Random House Kids

SKINK—NO SURRENDER
by Carl Hiaasen
Family Reading Guide
and Activities
What happens when a ragged, one-eyed, wandering ecovigilante (who used to be the governor of Florida) meets up
with a brave but slightly guileless teenager named Richard,
whose cousin Malley has run off with a guy she met on the
Internet? Naturally they team up and set out to rescue her . . .
at any cost.
Carl Hiaasen’s outrageously funny and squally saga
introduces younger readers to Skink, one of Hiaasen’s most
wicked wily––and popular––characters from his adult books.
Parents who are fans of Skink will love to share a Skink story
with the whole family—and middle graders and teens will
relish the extraordinary adventure!
Packed with laugh-out-loud humor, edge-of-your-seat escapes,
and a thought-provoking look at crooks, scammers, and the
pursuit of justice, Skink is a perfect pick for Family Reading Night!
Use this Family Reading Guide to enhance your story-time
experience. With discussion prompts and book-based activities,
Skink will become as memorable and exciting an experience for
your family as the actual adventure is for poor Richard and the
enigma known as Skink.
This Family Reading Guide Includes:
• About the Author • Discussion Questions and Prompts for Middle Grade Readers
• Discussion Questions and Prompts for Young Adult Readers • Solar Oven S’mores Science Activity
• Rockin’ Road Trip Playlist Game • Family Reading Activities
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About the
Author
Carl Hiaasen has been writing about Florida since his father gave him a
typewriter at age six. Now Hiaasen writes a column for the Miami Herald
and is the author of many bestselling novels, including Star Island and
Bad Monkey. Hoot, Hiaasen’s first novel for young readers, received
numerous awards, including the prestigious Newbery Honor.
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About
Skink—No Surrender
Classic Malley: her parents are about to ship her off to boarding school, so she takes off with some guy she
met online. Poor Richard: he’s less of a rebel than Malley, and a lot less trusting. He knows his cousin is in
trouble before she does. Wild Skink: he’s a ragged, one-eyed ex-governor of Florida, and enough of a renegade
to think he can track Malley down. With Richard riding shotgun, this unlikely pair scours the state, undaunted
by blinding storms, crazed pigs, flying bullets, and giant gators.
In Carl Hiaasen’s outrageous, hilarious, and wildly dangerous state of Florida, there are a million places an
outlaw might stash a teenage girl. A million unpleasant ways to die. And two people who’ll risk everything to
rescue a friend . . . and to, hopefully, exact a bit of swamp justice.
Praise for
Skink—No Surrender
“I love Hiaasen for adults. I love Hiaasen for kids. But most of all, I love this Hiaasen, which brings the two
writers together in one book.” —Cory Doctorow
H “Skink and Richard make quite a dangerous and entertaining duo in a story that careens perfectly
from one crazy situation to the next. Reluctant readers (especially guys) will surrender themselves to this
page-turner. Cross your fingers that we haven’t seen the last of Skink!” —Booklist, Starred
“Skink is larger than life. . . . A presence to be reckoned with.” —The Horn Book
“A high-stakes, action-packed comedy with a lot of heart.” —VOYA
Don’t Miss Carl Hiaasen’s
middle-grade classics:
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Discussion Questions and Activity Prompts
for
Middle-Grade Readers
Environmental themes run through this story, from chasing down litterbugs
to the search for what is almost positively an extinct bird. (Or is it?)
1.Choose one family member to read the first two pages of chapter eight out loud. As a family, discuss the
stages of extinction. Is it just one action that has a major effect on the environment or many small ones?
2.Jot down characteristics of both Skink and the ivory-billed woodpecker. How are they both beautiful
creatures? Is Skink on his way to being extint?
3.If you saw someone litter (e.g.: throw trash out of the car window or drop some trash while walking), how
would you respond? Was Skink’s response to the littering he witnesses (pages 75—77) justified or criminal? What are some other ways that Skink or Richard could have responded? When Richard confronts Skink
about his response, Skink says, “We are who we are.” What do you think he means when he says that?
4.Skink is a former governor of Florida. How is he still serving the state? Richard knows and cares about
loggerhead turtles and the ivory-billed woodpecker. What other aspects of the environment does Richard
learn about from Skink? How do nature and wildlife lead Richard and Skink to Malley?
5.Contrast Richard’s and Malley’s families. Discuss Malley’s relationship with her parents. Why don’t her
parents want to deal with her on a daily basis? Discuss how her disappearance changes her family.
Describe Richard’s relationship with his mother and stepfather. How is Trent different from Richard’s
deceased father? Why is it so easy for Richard to get past Trent when he sets out with Skink to find
Malley? Skink has no family. Why is he so determined to return Malley to her family? Richard poses as
Skink’s grandson on their quest to find Malley. Discuss the moments when Skink appears grandfatherly.
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Discussion Questions and Activity Prompts
for
Young Adult Readers
The topic of Internet safety is a big part of Skink—No Surrender and it’s likely
an important topic for teens and families today. Here are some prompts for a family discussion.
1. One of the top rules of Internet safety is to never meet in person with anyone you first “met” on the
Internet. If someone asks to meet you, tell your parents or guardian right away. Some people may not be
who they say they are. In your opinion, what inspires Malley to meet up with T.C.? Could you identify with her
motivations? Why or why not? How do you think she handled the situation once she realized she was in danger?
Discuss the pros and cons that technology can play in the lives of teens.
2. Richard doesn’t want to betray Malley, but he feels he must tell his mother that Malley left with a guy she
met on the Internet. How is telling the truth a mark of a caring friend? Discuss the friendship between Mr. Tile
and Skink. How does Mr. Tile protect his friend in the same way Richard must protect Malley? Explain what
Skink means when he says, “You’re one of the good ones, Richard” (page 262).
3. Richard describes Malley as a rebel. How does Richard understand her rebellion in ways that her parents
don’t? Cite clues that Malley’s rebellion has led her down a dangerous path. Debate whether Skink is a rebel.
What does Richard learn from Skink’s nonconformist nature?
4. Along with responsibilities, do you think teens also have certain rights when it comes to Internet use? If so,
what are some of those rights? Do you think good friendships can be created and nurtured via social media?
What are some benefits to making friends via the Internet? What are some dangers?
5. Why does Richard delete the text messages from Malley that refer to the Saint Augustine incident?
Detective Trujillo asks Richard if Malley had threatened to get him in trouble if he told her parents the truth.
Explain why Richard lies to the detective. How does Skink realize that Richard is harboring a terrifying secret?
How does he convince Richard to return to Saint Augustine and do the right thing? Explain why the owner
of the skateboard shop allowed Richard to get away with the shoplifting. Discuss why it’s never too late to
right a wrong.
6. T.C. turns out to be a rotten guy. What do you think attracted Malley to T.C. in the first place? Richard
wonders why T.C. was the way he was. “I’ve got no idea what kind of childhood Terwin Crossley had, whether
his parents were kind and loving, or cold and cruel. Maybe he was one of those kids who never had a chance
to become a decent person, or maybe he was born a creep” (page 273). One of the oldest
arguments in psychology is the nature vs. nurture debate. How can childhood influences
factor into adult behavior? Is a person’s development affected purely by DNA, or is a
majority of a person’s personality influenced by experiences and environment? Have each
family member pick a side (or team up)––nature vs. nurture––write down three or four
arguments for your side then discuss.
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RECIPE: Solar Oven S’Mores
You’re stuck in the swamp with Skink and barbecued roadkill is NOT a dish
you’re feeling warm toward. It’s time to check the stash Mr. Tile piled
into the trunk of the Malibu and rustle up some yummy Solar Oven S’mores.
Yep! Harness the energy of the sun to make the best snack ever invented.
What you will need:
Put the oven to work:
• Cardboard box with attached lid. Lid should have
flaps so that the box can be closed tightly. Box should
be at least 3 inches deep and big enough to set a pie
tin inside.
Set the oven in the direct sun, with the flap propped
to reflect the light into the box. You will probably have
to tape the prop in place. Preheat the oven for at least
30 minutes.
• Aluminum foil
• Clear plastic wrap
To make s’mores, you will need:
• Glue stick
• Graham crackers
• Tape (transparent tape, duct tape, masking tape, or
whatever you have)
• Large marshmallows
• Stick (about 1 foot long) to prop open reflector flap.
(Use a skewer, knitting needle, ruler, or whatever you
have.)
• Aluminum pie pan
• Ruler or straight-edge
• Box cutter or Xacto knife (with adult help, please!)
How to make a solar oven:
• Plain chocolate bars (thin)
•Napkins!
Break graham crackers in half to make squares. Place four
squares in the pie pan. Place a marshmallow on each.
Place the pan in the preheated solar oven.
***CAUTION: Have an adult cut the box with the box
cutter or blade.***
Close the oven lid (the part with the plastic wrap on it)
tightly, and prop up the flap to reflect the sunlight into
the box.
Using the straight edge as a guide, cut a three-sided flap
out of the top of the box, leaving at least a 1-inch border
around the three sides.
Depending on how hot the day is, and how directly the
sunlight shines on the oven, the marshmallows will take
30 to 60 minutes to get squishy when you poke them.
Cover the bottom (inside) of the flap with aluminum foil,
spreading a coat of glue from the glue stick onto the
cardboard first and making the foil as smooth as possible.
Then open the oven lid and place a piece of chocolate
(about half the size of the graham cracker square) on top
of each marshmallow. Place another graham cracker
square on top of the chocolate and press down gently to
squash the marshmallow.
Line the inside of the box with aluminum
foil, again gluing it down and making it
as smooth as possible.
Tape two layers of plastic wrap across
the opening you cut in the lid—one
layer on the top and one layer on the
bottom side of the lid.
Close the lid of the solar oven and let the sun heat it up
for a few minutes more, just to melt the chocolate a bit.
ENJOY!
From “Climate Kids: NASA’s Eyes on the Earth”
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ROCKIN’ ROAD TRIP
PLAYLIST GAME
Richard and Skink have different taste in music. But their road trip gives them
the opportunity to introduce each other to new music. In the spirit of Skink—No Surrender,
get together with your friends or family and play the Rockin’ Road Trip Playlist Game.
Each friend or family member secretly picks out three of their favorite songs. One person builds a “Road Trip”
playlist on their music device. Turn the playlist into a guessing game by putting it on shuffle and figuring out
which friend or family member selected which song.
You can also play variations on the game with different book-related themes, including songs about:
• driving or being on the road
• Florida
• nature (birds, rivers, rainstorms, alligators)
• camping
• each character’s personality (Malley = rebel; Skink = warrior; Richard = dedicated friend)
For inspiration, here’s a sample playlist:
• Born to Be Wild, Steppenwolf
• Bad Moon Rising, Credence Clearwater Revival
• Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Green Day
• It’s Not the Fall that Hurts, The Caesars
• Big Brat, Phantom Planet
• We Care a Lot, Faith No More
• Salute Your Solution, The Raconteurs
• Can’t Get There From Here, R.E.M.
• (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones
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Skink—No Surrender
Family Activities
Silent Spring Family Outing
Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring makes Richard stop and observe the natural world around him (re-read the
first part of chapter twelve aloud). Richard notes, “Growing up by the ocean, I’ve always taken birds for granted. How bad would it suck to grow up in a place where life was gone from the skies and trees? I closed the
book and took note of what was visible in the woods.”
Plan a family outing to a local park, field, beach, lake, or even your own yard. Bring notebooks and pencils.
Then let everyone wander on their own, observing the details of the surroundings and making notes, or sketches of the things you observe. After about fifteen minutes, have everyone come back together and share their
observations.
Skink Cell Phone Challenge
Over the course of the story, Richard, Malley, and even Skink each lose the ability to communicate via cell
phones and computers. Richard observes: “We get so hooked on being connected 24/7 to our friends, our
playlists, our Tweets and Instagrams, whatever. The battery in our cell phone dies and it’s like somebody shut
off the oxygen to our brain.” Can your family take on the Cell Phone Challenge? Simply put your phones away
for twenty-four hours. Observe how you feel and what kinds of communication you have without texting. Do you
find you’re more creative? Do you see more around you? Come together for the next family Reading Night and
discuss your “no cell” experience. Was it a good experience? Was it frustrating? Discuss each family member’s
experience. Can you continue the challenge for another twenty-four hours?
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