Spineless by Samantha San Miguel

Wild boar, alligators, hammerhead sharks . . . Can twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth survive the swamps of South Florida? More importantly, can he survive his asthma attacks long enough to make a scientific discovery and fulfill his dream of becoming a real naturalist?
 
With the help of Frankie and Lulu, intrepid heiresses to the Hotel Paraíso, Algie embarks on the adventure of a lifetime as he escapes certain death, discovers a brand-new species, and goes head-to-head with diabolical thieves, all while a deadly and mysterious red tide ravages the beaches and a possible curse threatens to close down the Hotel Paraíso for good. Can Algie, Frankie, and Lulu save themselves, solve the mystery of the hotel’s curse, and save their never-before-seen species?
 
“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