The Missing Manatee.
The Missing Manatee. DeFelice, Cynthia; Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
Grade Level: 3-5
ISBN-10: 0-374-31257-5 (hardcover); $16.00
ISBN-10: 0-786-28178-2 (large print); $20.95
Synopsis: After overhearing his mother’s side of a phone conversation with his father telling him not to come back home, Skeet Waters takes off to think in the comfort of his boat. While meandering through the Florida inlets, he finds a manatee that has been shot in the head. He spends most of his spring break searching for the killer and learning some hard lessons in life.
General Review: Booklist
Gr. 5-8. While cruising in his small boat through the maze of Florida's coastal rivers, young Skeet Waters comes across a dead manatee. Close examination reveals that the manatee was shot through the head. However, when Skeet and a deputy sheriff return to the scene of the crime, they discover that the manatee has disappeared. Skeet is determined to solve the crime, but he takes a break in his efforts to go fly-fishing for tarpon with Dirty Dan, a legendary local guide. Eventually, Skeet discovers that Dirty Dan is responsible for the manatee's death and disappearance. With the help of his funny and free-spirited grandmother, Skeet also learns that administrating true justice is not always simple or easy. DeFelice delivers a fast-paced mystery with a strong sense of place. Her lengthy description of the subtleties of tarpon fishing will grab young lovers of outdoor adventures. These elements, along with strong characters and an effective first-person narration, create an exciting whole, sure to hook readers. Todd Morning
General Themes: Family life; Tarpon fishing; Manatees; Boats and boating; Florida
Author Information:
www.library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312763/cynthia.html
www.content.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3009
Discussion Questions: Standard 3 Benchmark 3
1. Skeet’s parents are separated. How does this affect him? What role does Memaw
play in his life?
2. Why do you think Skeet’s mother has all the rules for him while boating? Are they
reasonable? Why or why not?
3. Skeet seems to have a lot of freedom – going out by himself on his boat, riding his
bike all around town, etc. Why? Do you have many freedoms?
4. Why are some animals “protected species”? Discuss such terms as endangered,
protected, refuge and related laws.
Activities:
1. What is the draw to tarpon fishing? Research this fish and design a sales pitch to give
to the class enticing them to go fishing with you. Standard 5 Benchmark 3
2. Are there any protected or endangered species in Kansas? If so, what are they and
how are they protected. Share what you learned with the class. Standard 5
Benchmark 3
3. Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast your family to Skeet’s.
Standard 3 Benchmark 1
4. Write a story about one of your more memorable spring breaks. Standard 2
Benchmark 2