Hoot

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hiaasen, Carl. 2002. HOOT. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0440419395

PLOT SUMMARY
Roy Eberhardt has moved with his family once again to Coconut Cove, Florida from his beloved Montana. The proverbial new kid has trouble with school bullies, particularly Dana Matherson. However, it is because of him that Roy sees a shoeless kid, known as Mullett Fingers, running away from school. Meanwhile, a new construction project has started to encounter various setbacks and disruptions, including the removal of survey flags, the appearance of deadly snakes, and even alligators in toilets.

As Roy gets to know Mullet Fingers and his stepsister Beatrice, he finds himself involved in the mystery behind the foiled construction work going on in Coconut Cove. A population of small burrowing owls has made a home of the construction site of Mother Paula’s All American House of Pancakes. Through investigation, well-intentioned vandalism, and eventually a protest including Roy and Beatrice’s fellow students and community members, the three teenagers do all they can to save the endangered owls from certain death and keep Mother Paula’s restaurant away from their habitat. Through it all, Roy develops new friendships and begins to enjoy his life in Florida.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Hiassen’s debut in children’s literature is complete with light-hearted moments, relatable characters, quirky situations, and inspiration for kids to make a difference. The wide array of intriguing and well-developed characters will keep readers interested, and one crazy event after another will keep them from putting the book down. Hoot raises issues of environmental preservation, ideally sparking interest and awareness among young people. Readers of all ages will be entertained by Hiassen’s clear storytelling, dry wit, and ability to bring current problems among people to a level at which many can relate.

Although many of the story’s events are rather unlikely, they are easy for readers to visualize and feel as if they are a part of the action. From the start, each even seems part of a separate story, but as the plot develops, they eventually start to intertwine, leading up to an action-packed, somewhat slapstick, but enjoyable climax. From school antics to scheming, this story has something for everyone, but it is ultimately about friendship and learning to be comfortable with who you are and where you are in life, a definite winner on the bookshelf.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newberry Honor Book, 2003
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book & Best Books for Young Adults
Lonestar Reading List, Texas Library Association, 2003 - 2004
BOOKLIST: “the story is full of offbeat humor, buffoonish yet charming supporting characters, and genuinely touching scenes of children enjoying the wildness of nature.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Packed with quirky characters and improbable plot twists”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “several suspenseful scenes build to the denouement involving the sitcom-like unraveling of a muckity-muck at the pancake house. These, along with dollops of humor, help make the novel quite a hoot indeed.”

CONNECTIONS
*Read this book aloud or as a class during a unit on the environment, around Earth Day time, or anytime that would be good to promote environmental awareness.
*While reading, discuss the environmental issue that Roy and his friends are protesting. Do some research, and try to find communities that have relocated animal groups in order for construction to take place. Also, see if you can find construction projects that have been stopped due to animals or other parts of our environment.
*Compare the environmental issues in Coconut Cove to those in your area.
*Discuss the character development throughout the story. Roy, Mullet Fingers, and Beatrice all mold a bit as the book goes on.

*Other novels pertaining to environmental protection

DeFelice, Cynthia C. 1994. LOSTMAN’S RIVER. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 0027264661
*Texas Lonestar Reading List, Texas Library Association, 1996-1997

Hiaasen, Carl, 2005. FLUSH. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0375821821
*Texas Lonestar Reading List, Texas Library Association, 2006-2007