Feature Book of The Week #1: The Lost River of Grass by Ginny Rorby

Tuesday, September 3, 2013


Feature Book of the Week

The Lost River of Grass


Lost in a River of Grass is in the tradition of survival stories like Hatchet or On My Side of the Mountain, where the young protagonist finds herself as she struggles to survive in an unforgiving wilderness. In this case, the setting is the Everglades, and Sarah, the 13-year-old narrator, sneaks away from an overnight school field trip for what was supposed to be a quick airboat ride with Andy, a boy who lives in the preserve. Naturally, disaster strikes and theyre forced to walk out of the Everglades (theyve got a knife, a small amount of Gatorade and some suspicious Spam). The author also skillfully layers in a story about overcoming prejudice. Sarah is black and Andy is the son of a Confederate-flag waving self-described redneck.



Guest Post by Ginny Rorby


LOST IN THE RIVER OF GRASS is a story about a simple oversight by two kids out for a morning airboat ride that results in a challenge few survive.  It is based almost entirely on the true story of my husband’s ill-fated trip to the Everglades, and was originally published in its non-fiction form in Fort Lauderdale’s Gulf Coast magazine many years ago. I made no chronological changes to the real events as they took place, though I did add a few from my own experiences in the Everglades, and elsewhere—like the palmetto bugs, and Andy’s scary hour with a poisonous snake around his ankle which happened to my father.

Though I never heard my husband’s ex-girlfriend’s side of the story, I wanted to make Sarah the one who comes out of the experience having discovered how truly brave, resourceful and powerful she is. Andy knows a lot about the Everglades, and is able to draw on his knowledge and experience to keep them at least headed in the right direction. However, Sarah’s the one who must rise above her fears. She’s the one who has the great adventure.

My favorite scene is the python eating the alligator. Back in the 1960s, when my husband and his girlfriend walked out, there weren’t any pythons in the Everglades. Those massive snakes are the only things out there that really scare me, and I wanted that scene to be Sarah’s turning point. She’s scared out of her wits by little snakes and big alligators from the time they get into the water, then she is confronted by a snake larger enough and powerful enough to consume an alligator. At that point, she has to completely lose it, or come to grips with their situation, and start taking some responsibility for their survival. 

I grew up in Florida and spent every waking hour outside looking for critters to capture and make pets out of. The lake in front of our house had a number of large alligators, and teemed with snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, and birds. I have an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Miami, and was in the Everglades a lot during those years. Between my early interest in animals and my studies at UM, the only additional research I had to do for this book was learning how to dig a scratch well—something my husband knew nothing about when he walked out. I now live in northern California, so I made one more trip into the Everglades a couple of years before publication, where I personally ran into that nest of red ants.

Thematically, the story is about the power of the natural world to heal and strengthen us. For me, the Everglades is as much a main character in the book as Sarah, Andy and Teapot.


About the Author

I was raised in Winter Park, Florida, where we lived on a lake. It was a Purple gallinule that started my interest in wildlife and eventually my love of all animals with the exception of palmetto bugs—big roaches. Our Purple gallinule, named Big Foot, came back for five years in a row, padding in and out of our kitchen at will for handouts.

After high school and a failed attempt at being a bank teller, I moved to Miami and went to work as a flight attendant for National Airlines. In 1980, Pan American Airways bought that company and I worked for PAA for another 9 years. About midway through my flying career I came to my senses and realized that if I was ever going to do anything else, I needed an education. At age 33, I enrolled in the University of Miami to pursue an undergraduate degree in biology, specializing in ornithology—the study of birds. It was an accidental encounter with an abandoned dog that launched my “writing career.” After finishing my 8 years of undergraduate studies, I went to graduate school and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida International University. My goal then became to move someplace where I would never be hot again. I now live on the chilly coast of northern California with my thirty-year-old parrot and way too many cats. I share my three-acre, forested space, as graciously as I can, with skunks, possums, raccoons, an occasional black bear and a mountain lion. A single (and I hope it stays that way) Little Brown bat has lived in the rafters of bathroom for the last seven years sleeping (thankfully) directly above the sink. 

I wouldn’t want to hurt my parrot’s feelings, but I think my favorite pet of all time was an albino Red Rat snake named Rosie. If I could come back as an animal I would like to return as a Turkey vulture. Some one else kills your food for you and the rest of the time you get to ride thermals of warm air with your friends. Birds, flying, and friends, what more could one ask for?


I want to thank Ginny Rorby for providing us with such a wonderful insight into her book. If you would like more information about Ginny and her other YA books check out her website.

48 Delicious Comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THE DUCK, TEAPOT, SO MUCH!!!!! She's so cute and was definitley my favorite character!!!!! :)

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! I loved this book! It was really good. It was such a cute, and easy read. Once I picked it up, and started readng it, I just couldn't stop. I was so into it, that people had to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention. I loved everything; the characters, the plot, everything! I'm so glad this was one of the first books I've read, because I loved it! If you haven't read it yet, READ IT! READ IT NOW!!!!!! WAAAH! *cough* sorry... :)

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed Andy's character, until he started drinking and eating all their food without telling Sarah or sharing. At the end, though, I guess he was an okay character.

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!!!!! I loved Sarah, Andy, and Teapot! This was such a great read!

—Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

I love this book, though I'm jealous; the plot to this is very similar to the book I was writing, and this is very well written. I was glad that I read this! :D

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

I felt like running around the room and screaming every time teapot was about to die. I was so worried about her! I don't know why I like the duck so much...I just do. I WANT A PET DUCK!!!!!
>:( If I was Sarah, I would've just kept Teapot in the bathtub for her whole life so I could always have her and love her.

Anonymous said...

I loved the part where the alligator ate the (Heron?) at the beginning of the story. I liked the part where the python ate the alligator as well. I wish I could've seen them both...I LOVE NATURE!!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

TEAPOT WAS SOOO CUTE!!! Ducklings are soooo cute when they imprint on people. I personally think that Andy secretly liked Teapot, and I would have killed him if he snapped her neck!!!!!!

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

In response to the person typing on the computer next to me, I would also murder Andy if he hurt little Teapot. >:(

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

I was really happy when Sarah saved the bird after it (hit the window?...I can't remember really well...) I would've done the same thing...although my teachers would probably disagree and I would listen to them...AHH!!!!!

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to go to the Everglades! (is that supposed to be capitalized) I've been to Flordia more times than I can count, but never to the Everglades. I'd probably be paranoid like Sarah, because with every rustle, I'd be like, "What's that!?"

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

I LOVED THIS BOOK! :D

-hazelwood west middle school

Anonymous said...

I liked this book :P

~Hazelwood West Middle :)

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this book. Everything was perfect; the plot, the characters, and especially the ending ;)

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I read this book. It was a great read.

—Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

Those of you who haven't read this book, READ IT! It is soooo good! You won't regret reading it! ;)

~Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

I really liked the setting of this book. There's not that many books around that take place in the Everglades. I loved the different animals. (Except the palmetto bugs! Gross!)

-hazelwood west middle school

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this book :)

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

It'd be really cool if there was a book just about the life of teapot! I would love that book! It could be a prequel to Lost in the River of Grass. It could tell about Teapot's life before she met Sarah and Andy! Then maybe a sequel could be made to Lost in the River of Grass, telling about Teapot's life as it continues form the end of the story! I love reading books about animals, and I would find it interesting to read about Teapot's thoughts!

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

i liked this book a lot :)

~HAZELWOOD WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL

Anonymous said...

I just checked out Lost in the River of Grass, Can't wait to read it!

~Hazelwood West Middle School~

Anonymous said...

So far the book is soooo good! :) Teapot is cute and I am taking a small liking to Andy! The book is uber good so far

~Hazelwood West Middle School~

Anonymous said...

EATING BOOKS YA!!!!!!!!! (sorry, that was really random)

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

EATING BOOKS!!!!! YAAAAAAARGH!!!!!
(Don't ask...)

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

I thought the story started out interesting with the main character not fitting in at her private school and the teacher trying to save her. I was kind of bummed at the end when the story didn't shift back to her relationship with the girls in the class and the teacher.

St. Clare of Assisi

Anonymous said...

I Finished this book and I must say I LOVED IT! I had so many likes about this book and probably a few dislikes. But overall this book was just AWESOME! Please read this book, you'll get so into it that you won't want to put the book down. (Random alert) TEAM TEACUP AND TEAM SARAH AND ANDY! WHOOP WHOOP

~Hazelwood West Middle School~ @(^.^)@

Anonymous said...

AW MAN! I SAID TEACUP NOT TEAPOT! WELL TEAM TEAPOT! @(*.*)@

~Hazelwood West Middle School~

Anonymous said...

The main character went to the setting of the Everglades. I especially enjoyed the part when Andy's airboat sank. This was such a climatic moment of the story. I was on the edge of my seat!

Wentzville Middle School

Anonymous said...

This book reminded me of a show I watched on Netflix, I forget the name something like expidition Alaska, where they would pick random civilians and send them to Alaska where they would have to go through a course and reach the end, only then it was with their permission and they could leave at anytime. Also, they didn't have an awesome duck with them.

North Middle School (I know, creative name)

Anonymous said...

Isn't the title....Lost in the River of Grass?
Wentzville Middle School

Anonymous said...

I really iked the book. But what has me thinking is why would the author wait until the end to reveal that Sarah was black.



Hazelwood Southeast Middle School

Anonymous said...

My favorite character was definitately be Teapot. The author used great descriptive words to describe Teapot. I just wish that the author didn't wait to the end to reveal that Teapot was a boy. But, it didn't change my mind.

Hazelwood Southeast Middle School

Anonymous said...

I could really feel everything that was happening to Sarah. The author really made this book come to life.

Anonymous said...

that last one was from hazelwood southeast middle school.

Anonymous said...

I think this book will be about people getting lost in a river surounded by grass. and end up finding a way to survive to the find their way out.

Anonymous said...

Why does the breakfast allways burn the food?
SouthEast Middle School

Anonymous said...

Still thinking about this book

~Hazelwood west middle school~

Anonymous said...

Um? How does breakfast burn food? I'm confused...TELL ME HOW!!!!!

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

^In response to SouthEast..... WHAT!? XD hahahaha

-hazelwood west middle school

Anonymous said...

This book looks like a very unique book, I'm excited to read it!

Hazelwood West Middle

PS.......my school has posted a looot of commemnts on this

Anonymous said...

You should read this book it is amazing and it has many exciting plot twists!!

Wentzville Middle School

Anonymous said...

I liked how Ginny Rorby started the story and how the kids get lost, how they don't start out in the everglades.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, the last comment was from North Middle School.

Anonymous said...

Awesome book!!!!!!!!!!
-St. Clare of Assisi

Anonymous said...

*siighhhh* there are no words to describe how beautiful this book is

-Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

This was actually one of the first book battle books I read this year, and I still love it! I think I might just reread it, because its so good ;)

Anonymous said...

teapot is adorable... just saying. ;)

hazelwood west middle school

Anonymous said...

I want Sarah's camera!!! It seems like it would be so cool, and by the sound of it, takes good pictures too! Cool! :)

Hazelwood West Middle School

 
Design by Use Your Imagination Designs All images from the Keeper Of Time kit by Studio Gypsy