Hoot (book)
From AwardAnnals
| Book: | Hoot |
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| Author: | Carl Hiaasen |
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| Publisher: | Knopf Books for Young Readers |
Roy has most definitely arrived in Carl Hiaasen’s Florida.
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Reviews
Amazon.com
Roy Eberhardt is the new kid—again. This time around it’s Trace Middle School in humid Coconut Grove, Florida. But it’s still the same old routine: table by himself at lunch, no real friends, and thick-headed bullies like Dana Matherson pushing him around. But if it wasn’t for Dana Matherson mashing his face against the school bus window that one day, he might never have seen the tow-headed running boy. And if he had never seen the running boy, he might never have met tall, tough, bully-beating Beatrice. And if he had never met Beatrice, he might never have discovered the burrowing owls living in the lot on the corner of East Oriole Avenue. And if he had never discovered the owls, he probably would have missed out on the adventure of a lifetime. Apparently, bullies do serve a greater purpose in the scope of the universe. Because if it wasn’t for Dana Matherson…
In his first novel for a younger audience, Carl Hiaasen (Basket Case, etc.) plunges readers right into the middle of an ecological mystery, made up of endangered miniature owls, the Mother Paula’s All-American Pancake House scheduled to be built over their burrows, and the owls’ unlikely allies—three middle school kids determined to beat the screwed-up adult system. Hiaasen’s tongue is firmly in cheek as he successfully cuts his slapstick sense of humor down to kid-size. Sure to be a hoot, er, hit with middle school mystery fans. (Ages 10 to 15) —Jennifer Hubert
Barnes and Noble
Carl Hiaasen, bestselling author of Basket Case and other hilarious Floridian capers, serves up a high-spirited fight for the environment in his first work aimed at younger audiences.
The site of Coconut Cove’s future Mother Paula’s All-American Pancake House is experiencing a slight problem: survey stakes removed, alligators in the port-a-potties, and painted-over patrol cars. But who’s behind the clever vandalism and pranks? New Florida resident Roy Eberhardt isn’t aware of these goings-on, but he has often noticed a barefoot boy running down the street faster than anything. His curiosity piqued, Roy starts to inquire around and even follows the boy once, only to be told by Beatrice Leep, a.k.a. Beatrice the Bear, to mind his own business. Despite Beatrice’s warning and plenty of bullying from the lunkheaded Dana Matherson, Roy follows the boy, whose name is Mullet Fingers, one day and winds up in the middle of an ecological mission to save a parliament of burrowing owls from being bulldozed.
Full of colorful, well-developed characters, Hoot is a quick-witted adventure that will keep readers hooked. With down-to-earth Roy, dumbfounded Officer Delinko, and construction site manager Curly—along with other head-shaking morons and uplifting heroes—the author delivers an appealing cast of characters that keep the plot twisting and turning until the highly charged ending. Another zany trip to the Sunshine State for Hiaasen fans, this rewarding ecological adventure should keep readers young and old hooting with laughter. —Matt Warner
Related works
Hoot: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Jimmy Buffett recorded a variety of songs for this CD, including a duet with Allen Jackson of the classic hit “Barefootin,” some great covers: Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” and Bruce Cockburn’s “Wondering Where The Lions Are,” a new version of his own “Floridays” and an original tune “Good Guys Win,” written especially for the movie by long time Buffett songwriting partners Coral Reefers, Mac McAnally, and Roger Guth. Maroon 5, Toots and the Maytals, G Love And Special Sauce and Brie Larson, among others also contribute tracks.
