Set in the unforgiving swamps of the Florida Everglades, Swamplandia! is a family run alligator-wrestling island theme park. Having just lost their mother and star wrestler to cancer, and with patrons dwindling, 13-year old Ava Bigtree and her family break apart, each in an effort to save their family, and escape their own grief.
A heartbreaking and beautifully told story of sibling love, family grief and the surprises of growing up. Russell evokes a nostalgia for place and a warmth towards her courageous characters that I have rarely experienced in a novel.
I picked this novel up for the beautiful cover art, and was sad to finish it. Incredibly rich and rewarding story telling for a first novel.

- Cam