The Deep End - Paperback

Thirteen-year-old Rafael Perez longs for his belief in mystical creatures to be validated. His grandfather's tales of flying horses and giant crocodilians feel undeniably real to him.
Rafael's life takes an unexpected turn when he uncovers evidence of a giant, prehistoric alligator lurking in the swamps near his home in Immokalee, Florida. His discovery leads to his abduction by a covert biohazard agency dedicated to protecting Florida from biological threats. With Rafael now entangled in their mission, the agency requires his help to unravel the deadly mystery of the Megagator's origin.
When the mission to eliminate the giant alligator goes disastrously wrong, Rafael faces a critical decision: should he save Florida - and perhaps much of the United States - by finding a way to destroy the Megagator, or should he allow the creature to remain free in the natural world?