Spineless

Spineless #1

by Samantha San Miguel

This exciting middle-grade adventure is Hoot for the Gilded Age—with scientific discoveries, secret plots, and surprisingly enormous fauna.               When his asthma lands him at a health resort in the wilds of Gilded Age South Florida, twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth is over the moon. The scientific treasure trove of unexplored swamps may launch his dream career as a naturalist. But even Algie is startled when he happens upon a brand-new species and her brood in the karst springs surrounding the resort. Algie quickly realizes he must keep his discovery a a famous collector of exotic animals is also staying at the hotel, and the new species is threatened by his very presence. An apparent curse has also descended upon the hotel, bringing with it a deadly red tide. But when the pool starts filling with ink and guests start getting mysterious, sucker-shaped wounds, Algie must pluck up his courage to find the truth about the goings-on at the Grand Hotel—and save the new species from destruction.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Historical, Mystery, Childrens

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2022

About the author

Samantha San Miguel grew up on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Living sandwiched between ocean and estuary gave her a wholehearted respect for wildlife, especially the kind that can eat you. She's spent countless hours scanning for sea monsters, but the only ones she's seen so far have been in her imagination. Samantha dreams of one day seeing with her own eyes the landscapes from her abuelito's stories of Cuba.

Reviews

[charlotte, · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my blog.

Rep: mc with asthma, Cuban American characters

CWs: animal cruelty

Galley provided by publisher

Spineless is a sweet adventure story, following Algie, whose mother has brought him and his older brother to a health resort in Florida, in an attempt to help with his asthma. Algie is an aspiring naturalist, and together with the two, initially reluctant, daughters of the resort’s owner, he starts to investigate some strange goings-on at the resort.

Above all, this book is a whole lot of fun. It’s an adventure book in the best sense: full of chaos and hijinks, giant squids, and new friends. I loved reading it, especially the scenes between Algie and the two sisters, as they searched through the waterways surrounding the resort. Perhaps the growth of that friendship was my favourite aspect of the book.

But I also loved Algie’s relationships with his mother and brother. Algie and his brother have a bit of a fractious relationship, but they love each other still and would do anything for one another, even as they’re not really friends. Which, frankly, is a very accurate sibling relationship in my opinion. Algie’s mother, on the other hand, is less on the page, but the ending makes it clear that she loves and supports her children.

Really, these relationships are what elevates the book for me, from liking it to loving it. The plot is fun. It takes you on the right adventure, but if you didn’t love the characters and how they all interacted? It would fall a bit flat. Luckily for us all, this is nowhere near the case!

So, if you’re looking for a quick and exciting read, a break from heavier books perhaps, then I would definitely recommend you look towards this one.

[Trevor Abbott · Rating 2 out of 5]

The amount of times this boy mentions his asthma is tantamount to Violet and her fragility in Fourth Wing

Also like everyone is an asshole? Also not the veteran mom coming in clutch. Also not the gaslighting acrobat. Also not the kraken. Also not the locking picking octopus. Also…

[Clara Levi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started reading only the dialogue… i took that as the sign to DNF.

[Kirsty Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his asthma lands him at a health resort in the wilds of Gilded Age South Florida, twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth is over the moon. The scientific treasure trove of unexplored swamps may launch his dream career as a naturalist. But even Algie is startled when he happens upon a brand-new species and her brood in the karst springs surrounding the resort. Algie quickly realizes he must keep his discovery a secret: a famous collector of exotic animals is also staying at the hotel, and the new species is threatened by his very presence. An apparent curse has also descended upon the hotel, bringing with it a deadly red tide. But when the pool starts filling with ink and guests start getting mysterious, sucker-shaped wounds, Algie must pluck up his courage to find the truth about the goings-on at the Grand Hotel—and save the new species from destruction.

I just absolutely loved this book! The characters, the setting, the storyline, the writing… it was ALL magical and fantastic.

I adored the three protagonists, the shy but courageous Algie and feisty powerhouse sisters Frankie and Lulu. I couldn’t wait to see what trouble they got themselves into next. Filled with excitement, friendship, amazing animals, death defying adventure and an underlying message of loyalty and courage this was a heartwarming and enthralling read that any child, teenager and even adult will enjoy!

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wants so much to be a throwback to those turn-of-the-century adventures, but it falls flat. (I mean, maybe I'm being a little harsh because I'm quite a bit older than the intended audience.) There's airships and dastardly explorers and mysterious creatures and "shocking" reveals, but a lot of the reveals are crammed in at the end so the impact is lessened.

Most of the characters are either awful/annoying or are only given surface-level characterization. Aside from Lulu, who mostly takes a backseat to her obnoxious sister, Algie is the only likeable character here. He's fine; I felt bad for him most of the book because people are kind of awful to him.

Probably the most annoying part here is that the book does not want to commit to villains being villains. I feel like the narrative either tries to make you feel sorry for them or it changes it's mind and suddenly a character isn't so bad after all.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Union Square Kids for the ARC of this!

That cover is amazing - it definitely prompted me to request the book. I really enjoyed that the protagonist has asthma and doesn’t let that stop him, as well as that there is diversity within the main characters. There was plenty of action, a little science, and some mystery, perfect for fans of Malamander.

[Jacq.and.the.readstalk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. A wondrous and mysterious historical fiction that is full of fun, friendship, and adventure.

It has such wonderfully quirky elements to the story. The author combines fantasy and science together that engage the reader. We follow four kids and their adventurous exploits at remote hotel in Florida, where they must solve the mysteries of the Grand Hotel as well as trying to save a species from extinction.

This teaches kids how to be innovative as well as the importance of saving creatures from elimination and the natural sciences of our Earth.

The story's downfall is that it's very inconsistent and jumbled at times in regards to the plot's flow and transition.

With a beautiful cover to accompany it this is an entertaining and exciting read.

[Ari · Rating 2 out of 5]

The overall narrative felt disjointed in such an odd way that it was disengaging and distracting, which is sad because it had so much else in it I would've loved (especially as a kid).

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Animal cruelty
Animal hunting & death discussed

[Luke Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was delightful. A joyful, hilarious, rollicking adventure jam-packed with heart, humor, and wildlife. The characters’ voices leap off the page, and the author’s passion for nature shines. I was pleasantly surprised by how nuanced and thought-provoking the environmental (and emotional) themes were while remaining fun and age-appropriate. One of the best middle grade books I’ve read in years. I only wish it had been around when I was a kid. Will definitely be checking out the sequels!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spineless, a middle grade adventure story, sends readers into a Florida swamp during the late 1800s. Algie Emsworth eagerly anticipates his family's arrival at a health resort set amidst Floridian wetlands. His dream of being a naturalist seems within reach, especially with his overattentive mother distracted by the 'modern' craze of spooky tours. But within moments of arriving, Algie almost drowns rescuing an octopus, and is abandoned in the swamp by the resort's owner. After being rescued by the resort owner's daughters, Frankie & Lulu, Algie realizes that he might be in over his head. Especially with his asthma just waiting to attack. But with the guidance of Frankie & Lulu, Algie heads into the swamp where he makes a discovery he never could have imagined. But the presence of an animal collector, the deadly red tide wreaking havoc on the local marine wildlife, and an annoying brother and his crush, an acrobatic performer, Algie seems to be in way over his head.

This fast-moving tale of adventure and discovery not only takes readers into the heart of a Florida swamp, but into the excitement of the natural world. But as Algie learns, discovery is about much more than just finding something cool, it's about making difficult decisions about what's best for the animal. While I classify this book primarily as an adventure story, it's also got elements of steampunk (technology in the past--Frankie & Lulu have quite the setup) and speculative fiction. While there is some character development as Algie learns to appreciate his family more as well as become more independent, the strength of the book lies in the fast-moving plot full of cliffhanger moments. With each chapter ending on a cliffhanger of some sort, the book pulls readers along. Frankie & Lulu were great characters as their adventurous nature and experience balanced out Algie's weaknesses and lack of practical experience. These girls had the freedom to explore and they took full advantage of it.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable adventure full of fascinating natural details. Middle grade readers that enjoy a mix of adventure, technology, and a touch of fantasy will find a great deal to like in Spineless.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a terrific adventure and friendship story! Set during the early part of the twentieth century, or late 19th century (I think), Samantha San Miguel gives the utterly charming Algie Emsworth. He suffers from asthma, is a budding naturalist, and is frustrated by his mother's constant coddling. He also has an older brother; they fight, but also deeply care for one another.

Algie's mother decides that the Florida humidity will help Algie, much more than the cold winter air of their Chicago home. So, before either boy can do anything, they're all making their way to a health resort located within a Florida swamp. Algie meets the intrepid adventurers/budding naturalists daughters of the resort owner, while Algie's brother moons over an acrobat who is part of the circus there to entertain the resort's guests.

There are alligators, numerous interesting birds and fish, poachers, a possible curse on the resort, and also a mysterious creature around the resort grounds. Algie and the two girls set their sights on identifying the creature, while protecting it from a famous hunter/naturalist who aims to kill it. The kids have their work cut out for them with all the personalities, mysteries, and dangers around them, and Algie's struggling health.

Algie is wonderful, as well as his relationships with the sisters, and his brother. He learns a lot and becomes stronger and more confident through his adventures and interactions with other characters.

The action is occasionally a little difficult to follow, and I was a little confused as to when the story was actually happening. I found the first half of the book was a little slower paced than the back half, but I loved how well the story came together in that second half. I also totally loved the epilogue, where we see the culmination of the three kids' experiences.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Union Square Kids for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Carolyn Bragg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two brothers and their mother are headed to a secluded hotel in Florida; they have different goals but each expects to rest and soak up some coastal culture.

What they aren't prepared for is secrecy, intrigue, betrayal, and genuine danger.

The hotel owner's girls, Frankie and Lulu, are just as puzzled by the events. They are unsure about trusting the brothers, but Algie (Algernon) proves himself worthy--if not athletically able in some ways.

The title misleads readers into thinking Algie lacks courage and determination. The truth is that his mother smothers and forces him into near inactivity because of his asthma (and what killed his father).

The adventure is (unrealistic) fantastic fiction, but the attitudes, dilemmas, and arguments of these children are far too mature, even in their language. (Algie is 12 years old.) Everett speaks a decade beyond his 16 years. (Yes, allowances are made for children's adventures--which tend to be written older.)

Events are often disjointed, and it isn't always clear which time of day it is (or which day); leaving me a bit disoriented. The focus of the story--supposedly keeping us in suspense about the mystery--is baffling for a dozen chapters or so. I didn't mind reading them, but I had no idea if or when something was going to happen. Given (especially) that some chapters are only paragraphs long, fixing this would be simple.

These things aside, the story is entertaining if you are prepared to just read and go along for the ride. It is an exciting ride!

3.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free preview of this ebook. The review is voluntary.

#Spineless #NetGalley

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and fun adventure story set in Gilded Age Florida.

This is a fun and light read aimed at the middle reader demographic, but I also found it enjoyable as an adult reader. The setting is well rendered and the plot is clever and exactly the kind of low stakes adventure that *feels* high stakes that I think works best for young readers.

The central characters aren’t particularly well-defined or nuanced, but the kids are likable and their adversaries are well drawn. The animals, of course, are the stars of the show, but it’s the way the kids interact with the animals and the way they wish to protect them that really sells the story.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Kristall Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book as an audio ARC! I greatly appreciate it!
I'm not usually a middle grade reader, but the description and the cover caught my attention, so I figured, why not give it a go? And I'm glad I did, because it was a great time! It was fun and sweet, though it dragged in parts and the animal deaths caught me a little off guard.
Also having a voice actor as the narrator was a stroke of genius! He made it even more fun!
Four our of five stars to Spineless!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving deep into the wilds of Florida around 1900, mystery and fantasy mix with a trio, who is ready to take on just about any adventure.

Algie is the youngest of two brothers, suffers from asthma, and is overly sheltered by his mother since their father's death. When they head to Florida for a vacation at one of the latest wonders, a resort hotel, Algie can't wait to expand on his animal knowledge, since he's determined to become a naturalist. But already on the trip there, strange things happen. He's determined to make the most of this trip, even when it means stepping way beyond his comfort zone...and fighting his mom every step of the way. A pair of sisters he meets gives him unexpected support and exactly what he'll need to solve the growing mystery surrounding the hotel.

The setting is refreshing as the reader sweeps back to the 1900's and visits an untamed Florida coastline. The landscape is rich, the details well laid, and the characters snuggle up to the time frame nicely. To keep this historical plunge from growing too heavy and boring, the plot maintains a quick pace, letting something happen on every page. There's action, there's mystery, there's friendship, and there's a boy, who is learning to finally break free of his protective bonds.

There is quite a bit going on in this tale as Algie has a few hurdles to pass. The over-protective attitude of his mother is a little strangling, but it's made clear right away where this comes from and is understandable. She usually gives in, which keeps this from becoming a main theme...and does hold a nice family dynamic without clogging the adventure. Algie's lack of courage stems more from a lack of opportunity and not fear, which gives him the right amount of hesitation to make him easy to identify with. The recklessness comes with his new friends to add all the necessary spice and fun. While there were one or two stumbles on the logical flow, the read is well done and lets imagination fly with wild animal flare.

As for the mystery, this is well-laid and although easy to guess on some aspects, holds more than a few twists, which are harder to see coming. There's a dash of spooky tension, too, and a hint of a darker tone with the attacks and as animals turn up dead on shore. Still, it's appropriate for even more sensitive readers.

I do see this one as being less for reluctant readers and more for tale fans who enjoy fantasy, adventure, and a good portion of mystery too. I received an ARC and enjoyed the setting and adventurous twist.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, a gilded age adventure story with giant octopi it seemed like a perfect book. Unfortunately, it was really just okay.

Normally I don't pay much attention to timelines in books, especially not in middle grade. A bit of hand waving and wishy washy time passing is necessary for plot progression and for the story to not get bogged down in unnecessary detail; in this case however, especially at the beginning of the book, the style of writing and the short chapters made things feel disjointed and difficult to follow. (I would place that difficulty solely on myself and my decision to pick this book up while sick, but I've seen this cited by a handful of others so I don't think I'm alone). To make it worse, once the beginning found it's feet the middle seemed to drag.

It also seems inaccurate to call Algie cowardly, a problem since the book seems to insist on it from the title onward. At most he's sheltered by a widowed mother who's concerned about his potentially fatal medical condition. Algie regularly stands up to his brother, Frankie, and others throughout the book even when it angers those people. The times that he does relent it reads less like cowardice and more like the smarter move. He also doesn't really read like a twelve year old, if you're at all familiar with the age Algie presents a level of emotional maturity far beyond his years. This isn't something that personally bothered me all that much, I think children's books can be a place to model older behavior for children to emulate, but I get that it can be something that annoys people.

Overall, this was a fine book, one that I think adventure loving kids will enjoy.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Algeron (Algie) wants to be a naturalist, be published, and make a discovery that will amaze the world, but his asthma makes outside activities challenging and no one seems to take the research and writing of a 12 year seriously anyway. But when his difficulty breathing results in a trip to a spa like setting in an attempt by his mother to improve his health, his dream just might come true. Author Samantha San Miguel sets her adventure in the glades of Florida during the Gilded Age (180s to 1900s) when technology and discoveries were advancing rapidly. At the Hotel Paraiso, Algie teams up with active sisters Lulu and Frankie to study the red tide that seems to be killing marine life and to find the creature that everyone is talking about but hasn’t seemed to see. Readers will be swept up in their escapades on a variety of water craft far different than anything they have probably used, learn about the flora and fauna of south Florida, and wonder who the “bad guy/gal” of the book really is. There is family drama, a bit of romance on the part of Algie’s older brother, and fast-paced action throughout. Text is free of profanity and sexual content, and the violence is brief, relatively bloodless, and crucial to plot development.

“How do you balance it?” Algie asked. “Science, people, and nature—how do you give everything its due?” (pg. 181 in arc-version) Tough question and one that our students must ask themselves. Maybe this book will encourage some thinking along that line.

Thanks for the print arc, Sterling Publishing.

[Michelle | PurelyBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spineless
Author: Samantha San Miguel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you love:
🐙 Middle Grade Literature
🐙 Adventure
🐙 Coming Of Age
🐙 Historical Fiction
🐙 Florida (Treasure Coast)

I am so excited to have found a book set in Florida. I don’t know about you but I always find it so exciting to read books set in my state. I know Florida gets a bad rap, but there are many wonderful and interesting things about Florida like the Everglades, estuaries, and beaches.

That being said, I can see this book being assigned for late elementary summer reading since it has everything a child could possibly want. Adventure, marine animals, science, and unlikely friendships. I highly recommend this book for children who crave action, fast-paced stories, and champion a respect for nature. Though, I have to warn you, it might make them want to have their own ocean adventures.

So, Happy *almost* Publication Day to #Spineless and #SamanthaSanMiguel! And a special thanks to @unionsqandco for the ARC I received via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Get your copy tomorrow!

[Diane Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book to my kids. It was hard to follow even though they are 7 and 9. The words were also too big for kids in my opinion. It just didn’t flow. It was a good storyline though. It had potential.

[Jules (Bookishfoxes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25☆

This is the first time I'm reviewing an ARC of an audiobook so I'm separating my review in two parts: the story and the narrator.

-The story-

It started interesting, however if I hadn't already known this took place in the past, I wouldn't have noticed. Throughout the entire story it's not really that obvious, if I'm honest.

It kind of turned chaotic at some points and it was hard to follow sometimes. I wasn't a very big fan of the graphic detailed of animal death, animal cruelty, and animal hunting. (Ironically, I started this right after finishing another audiobook that had this too because I thought a middle grade novel would help ease my mind.)

The characters were ok. I didn't form any attachments to them. However I did really like the octopuses.

The plottwists were good, I never suspected them. I enjoy being surprised by those!

-Audiobook-

I feel complicated about the narrator. His normal talking voice was good. I am VERY picky with voices, so me saying that means a lot!

However I did not like it when he did voices. I really, really did not. While the voices were obviously different from each other, they were not pleasant to listen to at all. It was also unnecessary loud and often hurt my ears.

I think I would've enjoyed this book more if I had physically read it. I'm not sure if I'd 100% recommend the audiobook. I suppose I'd say someone would have to try for themselves and see if the voices bother them as well or if they're fine with it.

Thank you to Netgalley and everyone else who made it possible that I could listen to this ARC. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Sadly I didn't love it like I expected it to, but I do want to give my honest opinions.

[Tnt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book! 📚
It has suspense, a good ending, and cute baby octopuses. I only have one complaint.
Why did the main baby octopus have to be named Pulpy?!? 🙁 I loved how all the rest of the baby octopuses were named after the day of the week. But, then Pulpy... 😮‍💨

Oh well, on to the rest of the review.
Wait a second, spoilers! I forgot about the spoilers.


(⚠️⛔️SPOILERS ALERT⛔️⚠️)



There we go a review just doesn't feel the same without spoilers. 🙃


First things first, Omg the ending. 😲
For a moment, I thought Octavia was gone!! 😭😭 I cried for a long time when I thought she died. Luckily, she lives!! 🥹🥹


Oh, and the Kraken was a little scary but a good part to the story. 😅 Even though he had only like four pages, so be prepared. 🫡


Another good part of the story was the baby octopuses. 🐙 They're sooooooooooooo cute!!!!! 😍😍


All in all, this was a good book, so five stars! 💛💫

[rachel, x · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.50 ★

➸ Trigger warnings for animal cruelty, animal hunting & death discussed.

▷ Representation: protagonist with asthma; Cuban-American scs.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

An intriguing middle grade historical fantasy set in the Gilded Age, this book has a unique environmental spin! Algie has always wanted to be a naturalist and explore the many wonders of the world yet to be discovered. And he isn't going to let his asthma prevent him from accomplishing everything he's hoped for. Since the book takes place in the late 1800s, medical interventions for asthma are less advanced, and Algie has to be careful, but I love that he doesn't let this prevent him from pursuing his dreams. When his family heads to Florida, he's excited at the idea of making a name for himself exploring the swamplands, and he's also delighted to meet a naturalist he idolizes. But when Algie and his new friends Frankie and Lulu discover a new species of octopus, they realize that their idol might not be everything they imagined. They end up on a quest to protect their new sea creature friend from the world instead of exposing her. The book has a touch of a steampunk feel to it, and I would say the fantasy elements are subtle. Algie's friendship with Lulu and Frankie is a highlight of the book (and these characters add a bit of diversity as well). His connection with his brother is also well-developed and believable, featuring both the love and the frustration that can come from a relationship with an older sibling. This book will appeal to kids who love nature or who've always wanted to explore the unknown!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Algie, his mother, and his older brother Everett have just arrived in Florida. Algie's mom hopes the climate will help his lungs as he has asthma and the winter weather in the Chicago area is pretty harsh for him. After losing his father to tuberculosis, the family is being extra cautious about Algie. Algie hopes he can get out and explore and make some wonderful scientific discovery while here. But from the moment they arrive their stay is off to a rocky start. The tram line is out, and whispers of the curse on the hotel seem to gain traction. Algie soon meets the daughters of the hotel's owner, Frankie and Lulu, who are there on winter break and decide to take him under their wings as a fellow explorer and scientist. They set out to discover what creature has been sparking rumors about a monster in the area. But when they do make a discovery, can they decide the best path forward for everyone? Algie wants to make a name for himself before asthma kills him. The girls want their father's hotel to be a success so they still have somewhere to return to on breaks from boarding school, but they also want the area to be conserved so the wildlife they've come to love can thrive. The guests want their fancies tickled. A big game hunter/explorer in the area wants to make a quick buck on some trophy finds. Everett wants the star acrobat of the visiting circus troop to fall in love with him. Several guests are in search of thrills investigating the curse. Some guests have secret desires. And all will come to a head as a tropical storm descends on the hotel.

This started off so-so and then picked up quite a bit. I love, love, love the personal growth Algie goes through and how he wrestles with ethical issues along the way. Algie and Everett butt heads over some things, and Algie starts to realize if he responds with anger and in kind, it will just escalate things. But if he considers Everett's perspective and responds in love and kindness, it will diffuse and improve the situation. This is a breakthrough for him, and he continues to respond in love and understanding and kindness to others who lash out at him and even try to hurt him, at one point even putting his life on the line to help save someone who wasn't nice to him. He is such a wonderful role model of what happens when people take a moment to put themselves in the other person's shoes, look at them with love, and act on the love instead of responding in kind. That alone made this a 5 star read for me. I also really liked how the author had Frankie, Lulu, and Algie wrestle with the ethical dilemma of what to do when they do make a significant scientific discovery and how to balance their desire for fame and satiated curiosity with animal welfare and conservation. It is a tricky thing to navigate and worth getting kids thinking about. Would readers sacrifice fame for the health and safety of someone/something else? The mystery elements of this are done well. I also really liked how Algie's mom and brother respond at the moment of climax, as they lean into doing what is right and not giving into their fears. And the scientific discovery in this is plausible enough it is teetering on the line between historical or scifi, but I feel ok leaving the book shelved in historical fiction. I do like how the author made Florida of the early 1900s come to life for readers and built empathy for people with asthma (and will also make asthma sufferers super glad they live in a time with modern medicine).

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: An older couple share a little kiss.
Violence: Some people are threatened with death but are rescued in time. One person almost gets attacked by an alligator and a shark, but only gets a scratch. One animal is shot and killed. An animal who can regenerate limbs has a limb hacked off by a bad guy.
Ethnic diversity: Franky and Lulu are Cuban American. Algie's family are Americans of European descent.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: A big game hunter traps and/or kills some animals for profit. There are rumors of ghosts/specters/monstrous creatures but all end up having a very non-spooky explanation.

[Janet Eshenroder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I bought this book simply because of some chance article complaining this was not age-appropriate for mid-schoolers. Having my own attitudes about book banning (I did not find an article online about it being actually banned) I was curious why a complaint was lodged against the book. I also was intent on reading the book and donating it to our public library.

The three protagonists are two girls, growing up in their father’s remote Florida resort (they turn to books and their own curiosity of natural surroundings, hoping to make a name for themselves in science), and a boy with asthma who has been kept out of school and sports (he dreams of adventure and making an important scientific discovery). Sounded like a good start to me.

The author is well-versed in the flora and fauna of Florida. The reader gets a great introduction to another state’s natural wonders while carrying the reader into mysteries and adventures. I thought of when my three boys were in middle school and figured they would have loved a book like this.

So, what was the complaint? Perhaps that, while the children were trying to protect the natural environment and its amazing creatures, most of the adults were either intent on making money by capturing and killing local wildlife, or were tourists seeking out entertainment to escape the doldrums of grownup life. Oh, and that the children’s lives were endanger because they threatened the status quo.

Seriously. That’s the only thing I could imagine someone deeming inappropriate for middle-schoolers. That their little minds might possibly see adults as evil or ignorant of anything outside society standards of a sensible adult life.
(Of course, as a scientist and nature lover I beg to differ)

It was at this point I thought of fairy tales. Were we tainted because we read (or listened to) Jack climbing the bean stalk ?The main adult figures I remember were presented in that story as grownups who tricked him out of a cow, threw away his beans, and wanted to eat him. The courage and persistence of Jack did not scar generations of children, but showed what can be achieved by children believing in their own resources and resilience.

I hope the book I donate finds itself in the hands of middle schoolers.

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spineless is set in late nineteenth century south Florida. Algie has asthma and since his father died of tuberculosis his mother is afraid that Algie might get it, so she packs them up and they head to Florida to a health resort. Algie wants to be a naturalist and loves being outside and learning about new animals. 

Though his mother babies him a bit his older brother gets their mother to let him have some fun and he is able to run around where he runs into two girls about his age who are also interested in the study of animals, etc. At first Frankie isn't sure she wants him around but she warms up to him and Lulu accepted him rightaway. Their father owns the restort and so they pretty much have full run of everything (which probably isn't the best thing).

One day while they were out exploring the swamp lands, Algie gets lost from the two girls and almost gets ate by a gater but something saved him. That something happened to be a very large species of animal that nobody knew about. Right now the ocean is having problem with Red Tide and it's been killing a lot of the ocean life and this species is hiding out from everything. 

They decide they shouldn't tell anyone about this especially because there is a famous naturalist, who Algie use to look up too till he found out who he really was, was there and they were afraid for the animal. This is a lot harder than they thought because more than one person is interesting in finding out what they are doing. 

Spineless is kind of a historical light adventure book about the environment and protecting it. I liked Algie and the two girls they were a lot of fun. I just thought it was kind of unrealistic that Algie escapes a shark and gater, and several other things without to much happening to him especially his asthma. I know Florida was suppose to be better for his asthma but there was some times I would have thought he would be laid up in bed but it always ended up okay. 

Overall, I enjoyed Spineless and thought it was an entertaining read.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. A fun adventure book, great for those who have kids that enjoy nature and the great outdoors! Sharks, octopuses, eels, wild boars, macaques, panthers, alligators… Ferns, vines, palms, algae and moss… The great ocean, muddy lakes, swampy bayous, cave rocks!

This story follows asthmatic Algie who has fears of not living long or dying early from tuberculosis like his father, who longs to be a famous naturalist. His mum whisks him and his older brother to a wellness lodge in Florida, where he meets two young girls who happen to be the daughters of the Lodge’s owner. And so their adventure begins to figure out the strange happenings that are occurring around which fuel rumours that the Lodge is haunted and cursed!

I still prefer a good fairytale spin-off with magic, witches, and spells, but this was a nice middle grade book for light reading. Recurring themes of friendship and family will give young ones some emotional food-for-thought. I liked how the Author put in some reflection pieces of Algie thinking about how he would make decisions to respond to others when he was upset - like considering whether to be mean or kind to Frankie after arguing with her, or how upset he felt about his older brother being angry with him. While he probably would have been a bit odd if he had spent that long thinking about what he would say in real life, I get that the Author is trying to teach young uns how to process their feelings so they don’t grow up having the emotional range of a teaspoon :)

The adventure is far-fetched and the adults responses to their plans is, um well, probably leaves much to be desired - parents not blinking an eye when their children go off steering ships and riding waterboats and wandering into dangerous bayous - but for any child with a wild imagination, I imagine this would be catnip for them.

[Munchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid scientific fantasy novel set at the end of the 19th century about a boy, his older brother and his mother going to Florida to help Algie, our main character, with his medical problems. I still don't know if it's just Asthma or Tuberculosis but he isn't sure either at the end of the book himself what it is that he has. At the medical retreat, he meets the owners two daughters, Frankie and Lulu who take him on adventures in the bayou which is a part of the medical resort. Oh and did you know there's monsters here too? Sounds like a good read, especially with the world building this book has done about the resort and what it has, what it looks like, what types of people work there.

My problem with the read is that the author jumps around a lot. One moment Algie is going down a rope, the next he's holding a gun that he didn't have moments ago. It also has trouble letting you know what day it is and you feel lost at times, like it's going too fast or that context was left out and the transition wasn't smooth. One minute they were being chased by a hog, the next they're now in the resort and checking out a huge pool. There are side characters that don't really go anywhere and characters that are introduced but are built up poorly, like the mother. She goes out of character and is supposed to be this cool mom at the end of the book, but the execution just makes you wonder "where did that come from"?

This looks like the author's debut book. So I'm giving it a chance. Loved the time period, the themes, the place. But did not really like how jumbled the chapters were. I'll check out her second book tho since I feel we need more books who take risks on the material. Airships, the circus, giant monsters, kidnapping. You'd think this was Peter Pan almost with how zany the book is! 3/5 I still would recommend it as a nice read.

[Paige ✨ (paiges.on.pages)]

(3 3/4 Stars)

Middle Schoolers searching for adventures will get a kick out of this new chapter book by Samantha San Miguel!

Spineless is all about exploration, science, and teamwork. Algie Emsworth is surprised to find that the health resort he’s forced to visit with his mother and older brother is surrounded by all of his favorite things. After all, what aspiring naturalist wouldn’t love studying the swamplands? However, with the discovery of a new creature, mysteriously injured guests, and a famous collector hoping to capture some new beasts, Algie and his new pals may have their hands full. Hopefully, the help of Lulu, Frankie, and some new-fangled gadgets will give Algie the courage he needs!

San Miguel does an excellent job of mixing science and historical fiction. Placing the book in an older time period allows the children to discover things while also making it more challenging than it would be if they could just use Google. However, the best part of this story was the friendship between the main characters.

While I found the chapters themselves to be clunky and the timeline hard to follow, this is likely something this book’s audience will not worry about, especially with the urge to figure out what will happen!

Be sure to pick this book up for the younger reader who loves animals and stories that take place in the past! Spineless will be available for purchase on June 7th, 2022.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Union Square Kids, and Sterling Publishing for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.