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TL;DR: Wahoo Cray's father is a professional animal wrangler in Florida, and their yard is full of alligators, snakes and parrots. When a vain reality-TV survival star, Derek Badger, hires them for his show in the Everglades, Wahoo hopes to earn money for the family. Instead, Derek's fake stunts and foolish behavior lead to a wild, dangerous and very funny adventure.
Table of Contents
Chomp at a Glance
| Author | Carl Hiaasen |
| First published | 2012 |
| Type | Children's novel |
| Best for | young readers who want a funny adventure about wildlife, Florida and a fake TV star |
Chomp is a children's novel by Carl Hiaasen, published in 2012. Like Hoot and Flush, it mixes humor, adventure and a love of the natural world. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes animal bites, mild violence and an abusive father.
Main Characters
- Wahoo Cray: A sensible boy who helps his father with animals.
- Mickey Cray: Wahoo's father, a grumpy animal wrangler.
- Derek Badger: A fake survival expert on a reality show.
- Tuna Gordon: A girl escaping her violent father.
- Alice: A huge alligator owned by the Crays.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Money trouble
Mickey Cray was injured by a frozen iguana that fell on his head, and he has been unable to work. Wahoo's mother is working in China to earn money. The family is short of money. When the producers of the TV show “Expedition Survival!” ask to rent Mickey's animals, he agrees to take the job.
Derek Badger
Derek Badger pretends to be a rugged survival expert, but he is really a vain, foolish actor. He wants to wrestle real alligators and eat raw animals on camera. He bites the head off a live bat to look tough. Mickey and Wahoo are disgusted and worried about his safety and the animals' safety.
The Everglades
The crew travels into the Everglades. Wahoo meets Tuna Gordon, a girl from his school who is running away from her abusive father. She joins them. Derek, who caught rabies-like symptoms after biting the bat, starts behaving strangely. He wanders off into the swamp alone during a storm.
Danger
Derek becomes lost in the Everglades. Mickey, Wahoo and Tuna search for him. Tuna's father follows them with a gun, threatening them. The swamp is full of snakes, alligators and mosquitoes. Wahoo uses his knowledge of nature to keep everyone safe.
The end
Derek is found, and he learns a lesson about respect for nature. Tuna's father is stopped before he can hurt anyone. Wahoo's family earns enough money, and his mother returns home. The story ends with the family together and the animals safe, and Derek's fake image exposed.
5 Key Takeaways
- Respect wildlife.
- Fame does not equal skill.
- Courage can be quiet and practical.
- Friends help each other escape danger.
- Families stick together in hard times.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Knowledge of nature can save lives.
- Honesty matters more than image.
- Kindness can be shown to people and animals.
Who Should Read Chomp?
Read Chomp if you enjoy funny adventures, animals and stories set in nature. It suits ages 9 to 13.
About Carl Hiaasen
Carl Hiaasen (born 1953) is an American journalist and novelist from Florida. He wrote a long-running column for the Miami Herald. His books for young readers include Hoot, which won a Newbery Honor, Flush, Scat, Skink and Squirm. His adult novels are known for their satirical humor and environmental themes.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Chomp:
- Why is Derek Badger a bad role model?
- How does Wahoo show courage?
- What does the book say about protecting wildlife?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Chomp is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Chomp, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is funny, fast and full of wild Florida animals.
Check price of Chomp on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: kids fight to save burrowing owls
- Flush by Carl Hiaasen: kids expose a polluting casino boat
- Holes by Louis Sachar: a funny, clever adventure
Related: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: Summary and Key Takeaways · Flush by Carl Hiaasen: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chomp about?
A boy and his father work on a reality show with a fake survival star.
Who wrote it?
Carl Hiaasen, in 2012.
Where is it set?
Florida and the Everglades.
Who is Derek Badger?
A fake survival expert on TV.
Who is Alice?
A large alligator owned by the Crays.
Who is Tuna Gordon?
A girl escaping her abusive father.
What age is it for?
Ages 9 to 13.
How long is it?
About 290 pages.
Is it funny?
Yes, very.
Are there similar books?
Yes, Hoot, Flush and Scat by the same author.
Does it teach about nature?
Yes, especially about Florida wildlife.
Is it violent?
Mildly, with some threats.
Is it good for reluctant readers?
Yes. The humor and action keep pages turning.
Is Chomp worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for young readers who want a funny adventure about wildlife, Florida and a fake TV star. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.