After reading "Hoot", I was completely captivated and couldn't help but explore all of Carl Hiassen's young adult fiction. I devoured this book within two nights. It was truly amazing! It's another wonderful tale about environmental activism by young people and how their actions can have a profound impact on the world around them. I'm eager to share this book with my son before he loses that sense of limitless possibility, that "I can do ANYTHING!" feeling which is unique to the young and unscarred.
The story begins with Noah visiting his father in jail. His father is incarcerated because he sank a casino boat. Noah discovers that the owner of the boat was illegally dumping untreated sewage into the ocean instead of properly disposing of it. This irresponsible act was not only destroying the nesting areas of endangered turtles but also fouling the beaches for weeks at a time. The main character, Noah, and his sister, Abbey, have unwavering faith in their father. When it becomes evident that their father's crusade is putting a strain on his marriage to their mother, the kids decide to take matters into their own hands and embark on a crusade of their own. Their goal is to find conclusive proof that their father is right about the illegal dumping. The plot thickens with the addition of some corrupt local officials and a few other complications, resulting in a story that is filled with intrigue from start to finish. The kids manage to find an unexpected ally, and with her assistance, they come up with a clever plan to prove beyond a doubt that the boat is the source of the sewage.
I still haven't read "Scat", which is the latest book by Hiassen for kids. However, his storytelling is so brilliant and engaging that I couldn't wait to explore more of his work. Yesterday, I headed to Barnes and Noble to pick up some of his fiction for adults.
Reading this book for the first time as an adult, I find myself having a plethora of thoughts. Firstly, it becomes evident that the author is significantly more adept at writing for children than for adults. I recall giving up on a particular book last year due to its abysmal quality. In contrast, this one is a gem. It is not only educational, providing valuable knowledge in a captivating manner, but also adventurous, taking the readers on an exciting journey. Additionally, it is highly entertaining, ensuring that kids will be thoroughly engrossed. Parents and educators, too, can truly appreciate its worth. In fact, this book has the potential to be taught in science class, as it presents scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging way.
However, there are a few aspects that I couldn't help but notice. Some of the topics and the language used seem to be targeted at a slightly higher age group than the overall story appears to be aimed at. I was also rather surprised to discover that this book was written in 2005, yet it still seems a bit dated with references to video cameras, VH1, and a few others that might not be fully understood by today's younger generation. Moreover, the author's somewhat negative remarks about the '80's didn't sit well with me. Nevertheless, despite these minor flaws, this book has a great deal of value. I look forward to reading "Hoot" and also to encouraging Elliott to explore and enjoy Hiaasen's books.