This post is a free preview from the Loop Families Book Club Membership.

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Teen readers on boats are some of my favorite humans. They notice the details adults rush past, ask big questions, and quietly absorb a lot more than we realize. December in Florida and the Keys is a fantastic time for older kids to connect stories to real places: coral reefs, the Everglades, historic towns, and life shaped by water.

This week’s picks lean toward engaging, readable, and meaningful, without feeling like heavy “school books.”

📌 All book links live on our public Florida & Keys Book List here → December Books Page (Amazon doesn’t allow affiliate links behind paywalls. Everything below is discussion, ideas, and context.)

📖 Fiction Picks

The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway

A short, approachable classic that takes on new meaning when you’re actually near Key West. The story’s quiet pacing and simple language open the door to big conversations about perseverance, solitude, aging, pride, and what it means to respect the sea rather than conquer it.

Flush – Carl Hiaasen

Set in Florida and written with teens in mind, this fast-moving story blends humor, mystery, and environmental awareness without ever feeling preachy. It’s especially good for reluctant readers and invites discussion about protecting waterways, standing up for what’s right, and the power of kids’ voices.

Tangerine – Edward Bloor

A Florida-based coming-of-age story that explores identity, truth, and what it means to really see the world around you. Themes of belonging, family expectations, and overlooked perspectives often resonate strongly with teens living unconventional or nomadic lives.

Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston

Set in early 20th-century Florida, this novel follows Janie Crawford as she searches for independence, love, and her own voice while moving through small towns and the Everglades. Place is central to the story, with themes of marriage, power, racism, identity, and resilience, along with dialect-based language and intense moments tied to a major hurricane. Best suited for mature teens and adults.

📘 Nonfiction Picks

Last Train to Paradise – Les Standiford

The true story of Henry Flagler’s over-the-sea railroad to Key West, this book brings history to life for teens. Themes include innovation, determination, human impact on the environment, and the lengths people will go to connect communities over water.

The Everglades: River of Grass – Marjory Stoneman Douglas

A classic, foundational work on Florida conservation that remains relevant today. Douglas’s writing explores themes of environmental stewardship, the importance of wetlands, human responsibility, and the complex interplay between nature and society.

Shadow Divers – Robert Kurson

Best for mature teens, this gripping true story follows deep-sea divers uncovering a long-lost WWII submarine. It blends history, science, and extreme exploration, opening conversations about risk, teamwork, obsession, and the lure of the unknown beneath the water.

✍️ Writing Prompt

Describe a moment on the water — or near it — that made you stop and really notice.

What did you see, hear, or feel that you might have missed if you were traveling by car?

Short paragraphs totally count!

🔬 STEM Tie-In (Light & Real-World)

Coral reefs are one of the most visible ecosystems in the Keys, and also one of the most vulnerable.

Explore:

• Coral reef ecosystems

• Bleaching and recovery

• Human impact vs. conservation

👉 Link to Coral Restoration Foundation

👉 Link to Reef Relief education resources 

🏛️ Field Trip (If You’re Nearby)

Florida Keys History & Discovery Center (Key Largo)

An excellent stop for tweens and teens: history, ecology, and engineering all in one place.

💬 Conversation Starter:

How is growing up on or near the water different from growing up inland?

What skills do you think you’re learning right now that other kids might not?

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What other great books do you think belong on this list? Comment below or share what you learned as you read and cruised around Florida!