A long way from home Sandy and Jack Casperin escape their abusive father and disappear into Crocodile Swamp a remote wilderness in the Florida Keys With nothing but their wits and limited supplies the boys must learn to fend for themselves as they survive surrounded by snakes massive crocodiles and a territorial hammerhead shark But it is only with the help of newfound friendsa local girl their age and an old sailor who might be a real pirate that they can truly escape from their tragic past and make a new life for themselves