Review Detail

Reader reviewed by LJK

Roy Eberhardt is new to Coconut Grove, Florida; his father's government job has taken him to six different school in six years. Although Roy is well-adjusted, and has learned to fit in at his new school, he still misses the mountains and changing scenes of Bozeman, Montana, his favorite of their previous homes. He becomes curious when he sees a strange boy running past the school bus, and the boy isn't wearing any shoes. Roy decides to investigate, and finds himself caught up in an adventure that involves cottonmouth moccasins, aligators and guard dogs, burrowing owls and Mother Paula's Pancake House, and oh yeah, the local police.

Hoot as adult author Carl Hiaasen's first novel for young adults, and he aces it. Although Hoot focuses on Roy's growing friendship with Beatrice the Bear and Mullet Fingers, and their fight to save the burrowing owl, the adults in this novel also emerge as fully developed characters. The adults are a blend of good and bad, rather than the clueless grownups seen in many young adult novels. Although Hoot carries a strong environmental message, it isn't overdone, and it never distracts from the adventure.

Hoot is a very funny book, and all ages will enjoy Roy's story as he battles the high school bully and the evil pancake empire.