Review Detail

When young teen Miles O'Malley finds a nearly mythical sea creature --- a giant squid --- in the tidal flats one night, all his father can focus on is the fact that Miles, at just over four foot eight, looks tiny on TV rather than the fact that his son is the only known person to see the rare animal alive. Miles gets lots of attention from the media and a local cult. But the giant squid turns out to be just the first of many incredible discoveries by Miles, both in the marine world and in his own personal life.

Miles has many things on his mind: questionable sex education from his slacker buddy, hilarious musings on his own conception, overhearing his parents chat about a possible divorce, his friendship with his elderly psychic neighbor, and his enthrallment with the gorgeous but self-destructive Angie, to name a few.

The book manages to be hilarious, sad, exciting, and hopeful. The true to life characters plus Miles' fascination for sea life makes this unique coming-of-age story a compelling page-turner. Very highly recommended.