Hippie Chick

Monninger, Joseph. Hippie chick.
Front Street Books, 2008, 156p, $16.95, 978-1-59078-598-0.

Monniger writes a suspenseful, nuanced book. Known as the Hippie Chick, Lolly is an experienced sailor. Her sailboat makes her one with the ocean. She loves the feel of the boat, the wind, and the water. One night as she is sailing on her own, a come about goes wrong and the boat capsizes. Knowing that no one knows her exact location, she accepts the fate of possible death. Reminiscent of Survivor and Lost, Lolly must decide how to survive after being tossed into the sea. When a manatee nudges her, she realizes a set of three manatees may be her only chance of survival. They carry her to a warm mangrove lagoon where she rests and learns of manatee’s daily routines. As she rides through the ocean clutching the manatee, she becomes one with them. After a helicopter rescue Lolly accepts but does not revel in her celebrity status. Her friendship with Nick, an older teen, and her grown-up understanding of her mother add depth of character to this slim yet powerful book about acceptance and love of all living things. While there is one preachy passage, this book flows smoothly and the characters are extremely well depicted. Readers will empathize with Lolly. Animal lovers will eagerly read this book and gain understanding about our need to leave wild animals wild and to protect their habitats.
Strongly recommended for grades 8-12. Animal lovers, concerned ecologists and those looking for adventure will all be satisfied by this slight, powerful novel of survival and acceptance of family as well as the need to be concerned for the environment. LMN