Spineless

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 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.

Spineless

9.99 In Stock

Spineless

Add to Wishlist

Spineless

eBook

$9.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

eBook
$9.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.

WANT A NOOK? Explore Now

Buy As Gift

Related collections and offers

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

When 12-year-old aspiring naturalist Algie discovers a new species at his wellness resort, it’s up to him to protect it from exotic animal collectors — no matter the cost. Fans of historical fiction, animals and science will be sure to enjoy this rollicking adventure.

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454937630
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Series:	Spineless
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Samantha San Miguelgrew up barefoot in South Florida. Living in this wild, diverse, and exuberant state taught Samantha a lifelong respect for the natural world with both its dangers and delights. Working there as an adult taught her a love for the colorful personalities that crowd the state’s borders. And leaving it taught her that whether in Florida, Cuba, or anywhere else in the world, you can never be an exile if there’s sunshine in your heart.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Summer Reading: Illinois Edition

You don’t need to travel far to discover what the readers in Illinois are enjoying this summer. The Prairie State has so much to see — and plenty to read. Meet one of our Illinois-based booksellers and explore her favorite summertime recs, down below. From Bookseller Amy L. Deer Park is a community that is […]

Our Most Anticipated New Kids’ Book Releases of June 2022

June has arrived which means more time to read! School’s out for the summer, and the reading is easy breezy! This month brings plenty of fun new books from both new and well-known names in the book world like Elizabeth Olsen, Chris Bridges, Zadie Smith, Bobby Bones and so many others. Grab your B&N Kids Summer […]

Our April Picks Are Here!

What is that sweet aroma? It must be this bouquet of freshly bloomed books — pick one up, give it a good sniff, and discover which might be your new favorite. Will it be a gripping domestic thriller, an atmospheric historical fantasy of fierce sisters and magic, a charming story about a misfit book club, […]

San Miguel concocts a comical and exciting tale that leads to a wild, suspenseful, storm-tossed climax while weaving in thoughtful ruminations on the necessity of giving science, people, and nature their just dues, too.” — Booklist, Starred Review

“This exceptionally well-written written story gives a nod to the era's fascination with creepy hauntings and dastardly secrets as it expertly transports readers into the atmosphere of 19th-century Florida, uniting well-drawn, nuanced characters with imaginative and tension-building plot twists.... Pure storytelling at its best.”— Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Algie has a winsome urgency that makes him likable.... His relationships with his family and new friends are realistic and evolve as Algie, Frankie, and Lulu face dangerous adults. In the life-threatening denouement, Algie displays a nuanced empathy for others.” — School Library Journal

“San Miguel's lively story engages deeply with the power of pretending. Algie has little to no life experience of his own thanks to his health troubles and the shielding arm of his mother. But he does have a plethora of practical knowledge thanks to his bookishness. When times get tough, he embodies the brave scientist he wishes to become: he straightens his back, fixes his umbrella cap firmly onto his head and dives head first into danger. Algie's heroism in times of uncertainty reminds us that empathy, not knowledge, is the greatest good of all.” — Shelf Awareness

“Adventure, gargantuan creatures, and circus acts—Samantha San Miguel’s debut middle grade novel has it all . . . . This book was an absolute delight.”—MUGGLENET

“This fast-paced middle grade novel is a treat to read, one of those luxurious things that will take you places from the comfort of your own home and let you travel far and wide—one of the true joys of reading . . . . This ideal summer read is full of adventure and deceit, with wonderful descriptions of the environment and great, witty dialogue.”—GEEKDAD

“What middle-aged child doesn’t love secret plots, cool science, and a curse? . . . . Children aged 8-12 will love this comedic and exciting scientific mystery book by Samantha San Miguel.” —Daily Mom

From the Publisher

★ 2022-04-13
A budding young Gilded Age naturalist discovers more than he ever dreamed possible.
Twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth of Chicago has asthma and possibly the tuberculosis that killed his father three years earlier. His mother, hovering and anxious, decides to take him and his 16-year-old brother, Everett, to the Hotel Paraíso in Florida for the winter season. As the steamer is about to dock, Algie sees two men in a boat catch a small octopus. Overhearing one of the men saying he will cut it up for bait, Algie jumps overboard to save the little creature—which he does, only finding out later that the man is a famed naturalist and author whose magazine adventure stories have enthralled him. On his way to the hotel, Algie meets Lulu and Frankie, the rambunctious, highly competent Cuban and White American daughters of the hotel’s owner. Meanwhile, strange things are occurring around the hotel, including odd lights and washed-up sea creatures, and as the three children sleuth, they discover something incredible. Algie (whose name astute readers may figure out holds significance) must come to grips with his physical weaknesses and, in the process, discovers his strengths. This exceptionally well-written story gives a nod to the era's fascination with creepy hauntings and dastardly secrets as it expertly transports readers into the atmosphere of 19th-century Florida, uniting well-drawn, nuanced characters with imaginative and tension-building plot twists. Most characters default to White.
Pure storytelling at its best. (Historical fiction. 9-14)

Kirkus Reviews

Related collections and offers

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Related Subjects

Customer Reviews