Richard

Richard Sloan is the fourteen year-old main character and narrator of Carl Hiaasen’s novel Skink. Richard is a generally kind, compassionate, environmentally-conscious, and intelligent though hesitant and uncertain kid who spends much of his free time with his rebellious cousin, Malley. Richard gets along well with his family, including his mother and stepfather, while missing his dead biological father deeply. It is while waiting for Malley at the beach that Richard first comes to suspect something must be wrong, and inadvertently meets Skink. When Richard learns that Malley has run off with an older man, it is Skink who urges Richard to let his parents know. When Richard learns that Skink is setting out to find Malley, he decides to go along. In his journey with Skink, Richard becomes more courageous and more morally-astute, coming to value doing the right thing over the easy thing. This includes...