2.5 Stars is closer to what I would give this book. It wasn't great but it was engaging and did incorporate interesting animal and nature preserve facts.

Jack, the preteen protagonist is interested in photography while his sister Ashley is kind of vague. We don't really know what she likes or doesn't like, except she doesn't like killing or hurting animals. Bridger, the new foster child from Texas (?) refuses to wear anything other than jeans, plaid long sleeve shirt, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat even if he is in the Florida Everglades. Bridger also has a misogynistic view of the role of men and women in society. When he learns that one of his foster parents is a Veterinarian and the other is a photographer, he assumes the husband as the vet and is very perplexed when this is not the case.

Olivia (mom) is called down to the Everglades to help figure out why there are manatees mysteriously dying. Of course the children come along and get mixed up with the manatees and a mysterious man who may endanger not only the lives of the manatees, but the lives of the children as well.

Like I said, overall it was entertaining, but it probably isn't something that I would read again. ( )

2.5 Stars is closer to what I would give this book. It wasn't great but it was engaging and did incorporate interesting animal and nature preserve facts.

Jack, the preteen protagonist is interested in photography while his sister Ashley is kind of vague. We don't really know what she likes or doesn't like, except she doesn't like killing or hurting animals. Bridger, the new foster child from Texas (?) refuses to wear anything other than jeans, plaid long sleeve shirt, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat even if he is in the Florida Everglades. Bridger also has a misogynistic view of the role of men and women in society. When he learns that one of his foster parents is a Veterinarian and the other is a photographer, he assumes the husband as the vet and is very perplexed when this is not the case.

Olivia (mom) is called down to the Everglades to help figure out why there are manatees mysteriously dying. Of course the children come along and get mixed up with the manatees and a mysterious man who may endanger not only the lives of the manatees, but the lives of the children as well.

Like I said, overall it was entertaining, but it probably isn't something that I would read again. ( )

While visiting the Everglades National Park with their parents, the Landon children uncover the mystery of dying manatees and learn important lessons about the natural environment.

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