Family Book Club: Florida, Keys, & Adjacent Waters

Winter on the Loop often means warm water, swaying palms, and a slower cruising pace... whether you’re exploring Florida’s coasts, the Keys, the Okeechobee Waterway, or simply dreaming about nearby islands. This is an excellent time to lean into wildlife, marine ecosystems, Florida history, and island stories through books, movies, and hands-on learning.Β 

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Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Great for independent readers or family read-alouds.

πŸ“– Hoot

πŸ“– Sharks Incorporated

  • This is a 4 book series!
  • If you enjoy these, you may also want to check out other Randy Wayne White books.

πŸ“– Turtle in Paradise

πŸ“– Junonia

πŸ“– The Sea Turtle Scientist

πŸ“– The Boy and the Dolphin

πŸ“– Frog's Boating Adventures: Frog Finds Friends on the Great Loop

  • Written by two Gold Loopers!

πŸ“– The Old Cat and the Tree: The Adventures of a Hemingway Home Cat

πŸ“– Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon

πŸ“– Treasure off the Coast: A Junior Rangers Investigative Club Novel in Dry Tortugas National Park

πŸ“– Treasure of Biscayne Bay: A Junior Rangers Investigative Club Novel

πŸ“– Key's Secret

  • This is the fifth book in the series. Check out the other ones!

Teen Reads

Teen Fiction:

Best for older kids and mature teens.

πŸ“˜ Flashback (An Anna Pigeon Novel)

πŸ“˜Β Charlotte’s Story: A Florida Keys Diary 1934 & 1935

πŸ“˜ The Old Man and the Sea

πŸ“˜Β Flush

πŸ“˜Β Tangerine

πŸ“˜Β Their Eyes Were Watching God

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Teen Nonfiction:

History, ecology, and real-world adventure.

πŸ“—Β X Marks the Spot: The Archaeology of Piracy

πŸ“—Β America’s Fortress: A History of Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas, Florida

πŸ“—Β The Blue Fold

πŸ“—Β Last Train to Paradise

πŸ“—Β The Everglades: River of Grass

πŸ“—Β Shadow Divers

Family Movies

🍿 Because of Winn Dixie

  • 1 hour, 46 minutes
  • Rated PG
  • Live Action
  • Also a book!

🍿 The Swiss Family Robinson

  • 51 minutes
  • Rated for All
  • Live Action and Black & White
  • Newer and animated versions also available

🍿 Hoot

  • 1 hour, 30 minutes
  • Rated PG
  • Live Action

🍿 Dolphin Tale

  • 1 hour, 47 minutes
  • Rated G
  • Live Action

🍿 Flipper

  • 1 hour, 35 minutes
  • Rated PG
  • Live Action

πŸ’» The Old Man and the Sea

  • 20 minutes
  • Available on YouTube
  • Animated

🍿 Finding Nemo

  • 1 hour, 35 minutes
  • Rated G
  • Animated

🍿 The Rescuers Down Under

  • 1 hour, 13 minutes
  • Rated G
  • Animated