Author: Tim Shoemaker
Recommended Age: 15+
Genre: Contemporary, Adventure, Thriller
Summary: Parker Buckman is the son of a park ranger, living near Everglades National Park. When he’s attacked by an alligator in the swamp, Parker barely survives and is fully convinced he will never return to the Everglades. But when a friend’s life is in danger, can Parker overcome his fear and reenter the swamp?
Notes from The Radical Reader:
- Noble Characters: Tim Shoemaker’s books are like no other contemporary stories I have ever read. His teen protagonist is God-honoring, courageous, and strong. The parental authorities in the story are bold, brave, and encourage the kids’ adventures instead of stereotypically ruining the fun. If you want to read stories with characters in a contemporary setting who are worth imitating and learning from, then the High Water series is perfect!
- Captivating Plots: Alligators on the hunt. Secrets between friends. When Parker Buckman is attacked by an alligator in Everglades National Park, he vows to never return to the swamp. But a missing young woman, a deceptive boyfriend, and a close friend harboring secrets may force Parker back into the swamp to confront an even larger and more dangerous alligator.
- Elaborate Worlds: Bad guys are real, but so is God’s strength. Death and danger may exist, but prayer holds power. By showing the world through the eyes of a Christian teenager, author Tim Shoemaker asks us to reevaluate the Young Adult stereotypes that have influenced books for years. The High Water series are a perfect read for any teenager who loves action, adventure, and truth that isn’t cheesy or preachy.
Noteworthy Elements:
- Profanity: No explicit swear words are used, but slang terms and phrases like “gee”, “oh my gosh”, “heck”, “heckuva”, “holy mackerel”, “darn”, “sheesh”, “holy Toledo”, “hokey smokies”, “doggone”, and “devil of a time” are used sparingly throughout the series.
- Sexual Tension: There are no explicit sexual or romantic scenes. One of the story’s central antagonists, Clayton Kingman, convinces a girl to run away with him and hide until she’s old enough to legally marry him. When that plan backfires, Kingman later comes back in the series and tries to convince the girl’s younger sister to also run away and marry him.
- Other: Towards the end of the fifth book, Jelly and Ella dare Wilson, Parker, and Harley to enter a so-called “haunted” house and bring back evidence that they went in. The girls briefly tease the boys by saying that they doubt they’ll be able to escape from the mansion without wetting their pants.
