In this compelling, action-packed book, Watt Key gives us the thrilling coming-of-age story of the unique and extremely appealing Alabama Moon, the basis for the film of the same name starring Jimmy Bennett and John Goodman.For as long as ten-year-old Moon can remember, he has lived out in the forest in a shelter with his father. They keep to themselves, their only contact with other human beings an occasional trip to the nearest general store. When Moon's...

In this gripping sequel to Alabama Moon, the gutsy 14-year-old Hal Mitchell must navigate the brutal world of Hellenweiler, a juvenile detention center where survival is a daily struggle.After his recapture, Hal is sentenced to live at Hellenweiler, an institution more akin to a prison than a boys' home. If he can keep out of trouble, Hal could walk free in just a few months. But in a place rife with gangs and violence, staying on the straight and narrow proves to ...

The son of a Mississippi policeman finds a boy living on his own in the wilderness in this riveting middle grade tale of friendship, danger, and mystery."In the tradition of Gary Paulsen's survival tales. . . . Short chapters filled with action and adventure keep the pacing taut and will entice reluctant readers. . . . A good pick for action/adventure fans." — School Library JournalTwelve-year-old Sam has been given a fishing boat by...

In this gritty, realistic wilderness adventure, thirteen-year-old Cort is caught in a battle against a Gulf Coast hurricane. Cort's father is a local expert on hunting and swamp lore in lower Alabama who has been teaching his son everything he knows. But when a deadly Category 3 storm makes landfall, Cort must unexpectedly put his all skills-and bravery-to the test. One catastrophe seems to lead to another, leaving Cort and two neighbor girls to face the storm as best they can. Amid miles ...

Beast is a fast-paced adventure of guts and survival, this time with a paranormal twist, from acclaimed author Watt Key...Adam says he can’t remember where he was for the two months he went missing in a Florida swamp. That’s not true. He does remember. The truth: He was driving with his parents, and the car crashed when his father swerved to avoid colliding with a giant Sasquatch-like creature standing in the highway.Haunted by his parents’ disappe...

A charming, humorous, and colorful coming-of-age memoirBay Boy is a collection of essays by award-winning young adult author Watt Key, chronicling his boyhood in Point Clear, Alabama. During his childhood, Point Clear was not the tony enclave of today with its spas, art galleries, and multimillion dollar waterfront properties. Rather, it was a sleepy resort community, practically deserted in the winter, with a considerable population of working-class resid...

Colorful and lively personal essays about life in the wilds of Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw River DeltaAmong the Swamp People is the story of author Watt Key’s discovery of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. “The swamp” consists of almost 260,000 acres of wetlands located just north of Mobile Bay. There he leases a habitable outcropping of land and constructs a primitive cabin from driftwood to serve as a private getaway. His story is one that chronicles the beauti...

A thrilling middle grade survival story about a scuba dive gone wrong and two enemies who must unite to survive."[A] gripping tale of endurance for young readers." — Wall Street JournalIt's the most important rule of scuba diving: If you don't feel right, don't go down . . .So after her father falls ill miles off the coast of Alabama, twelve-year-old Julie Sims must take over and lead two of his clients on a dive whil...

Twelve-year-old Foster knows in his gut that Dax Ganey, the man dating his widowed mother, is a bad seed. Then a mysterious stranger arrives at their Alabama farm, a former Army Ranger in Iraq rambling across the country, and Foster believes he has found an ally against Dax. The stranger proves a fascinating mentor, full of wisdom and secrets. And Dax soon has reason to resent not just him and Foster but also Foster's mother. A spurned Dax will be a dangerous enemy, but Foster is increasin...

It's the most important rule of scuba diving: If you don't feel right, don't go down.So after her father falls ill, twelve-year-old Julie Sims must take over and lead two of his clients on a dive miles off the coast of Alabama while her father stays behind in the boat. When the clients, a reckless boy Julie's age and his equally foolhardy father, disregard Julie's instructions during the dive, she quickly realizes she's in over her head.And once she surfaces, thing...

In this gritty, realistic wilderness adventure, thirteen-year-old Cort is caught in a battle against a Gulf Coast hurricane.Cort's father is a local expert on hunting and swamp lore in lower Alabama who has been teaching his son everything he knows. But when a deadly Category 3 storm makes landfall, Cort must unexpectedly put all his skills—and bravery—to the test.One catastrophe seems to lead to another, leaving Cort and two neighbor girls to face the stor...

Beast is a fast-paced adventure of guts and survival with a paranormal twist, from acclaimed author Watt Key.Adam says he can’t remember where he was for the two months he went missing in a Florida swamp. That’s not true. He does remember. The truth: He was driving with his parents, and the car crashed when his father swerved to avoid colliding with a giant Sasquatch-like creature standing in the highway.Haunted by his parents’ disappearance and ho...