This was truly one of the best books I have ever read.

I completed it in about 4 days flat, which is quite remarkable considering its engaging content.

Whether you are a kid with a vivid imagination or a grownup looking for a captivating read, I wholeheartedly recommend you pick up this book.

It has the power to transport you to different worlds, introduce you to unique characters, and make you experience a wide range of emotions.

The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful literary gem. Give it a try and let the magic of the book unfold before your eyes.

This book is not what you would typically expect from Carl Hiaasen.

It doesn't feature any of his usual cast of characters.

Perhaps it was written with young teens in mind, but that doesn't mean it's not well done.

In fact, I have to say that I really enjoyed it.

There is no vulgarity or sex in the story, and no one meets a violent end.

It's just plain old good stuff that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

The plot is interesting and the characters are well-developed, making it a great read for both young and old.

If you're looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable book, this one is definitely worth checking out.

It is perhaps unfair of me to rate this book three stars.

After all, it is a YA/kids’ book, and I am measuring it against his usual standard adult books. However, if I compare it with, for example, Betsy Byars, who writes for the same age group, it still gets a three.

This book is a lot like Carl Hiaasen’s adult books. It has a lot of the same themes, such as environmental issues and social satire. It also has some joke characters, like the bumbling sheriff and the greedy developer.

However, it lacks the humor that makes Hiaasen’s adult books so enjoyable. Still, it provides good visuals for the reader and a nice storyline. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging. Overall, it is a good book for young readers who are interested in environmental issues and adventure stories.

This book truly shows a remarkable amount of care towards owls.

It delves deep into the world of these magnificent creatures, exploring their habitats, behaviors, and unique characteristics.

The author has dedicated a great deal of time and effort to understanding the needs and challenges that owls face in the wild.

Through detailed descriptions and beautiful illustrations, the book not only educates readers about owls but also evokes a sense of empathy and respect for them.

It encourages us to take an active role in protecting their habitats and ensuring their survival.

This book is not just a source of information; it is a celebration of the beauty and importance of owls in our ecosystem.

It serves as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to care for and protect these wonderful birds.

The place is Coconut Cove, Florida. Roy Eberhardt's life is in a constant state of flux as his dad works for the government, leading to frequent relocations. Recently arrived from Montana, he deeply misses his former home.

One day on the bus, while being bullied by Dana Matherson, who squishes his face against the window, Roy catches a glimpse of a shoeless boy running at an astonishing speed. A few days later, he spots the boy again on the bus and impulsively chases after him. However, Dana intervenes, and Roy ends up punching him in the face. In his haste, he runs into Beatrice Leap but still manages to pursue the mysterious boy.

Roy follows the boy through neighborhoods and various places for a long time. Eventually, they reach a golf course, but Roy loses track of the boy. Suddenly, he gets struck in the head, loses consciousness, and his chase comes to an abrupt end.

The next day at school, Roy is suspended for two weeks for his actions on the bus. He is required to write an apology note to Dana, proposing a truce, but Dana refuses to accept. At school, Beatrice Leap confronts Roy about his pursuit of the running boy and warns him to stay away or face her wrath. Strangely, this only intensifies Roy's determination to uncover the truth.

A couple of days later, Roy returns to the golf course and ventures into the woods, where he discovers the running boy's campsite. While rummaging through the bags, he accidentally spills out a bag full of cottonmouth snakes with sparkly white paint on their tips. Someone tells him to stop and walk backward, then places a hood over his head and leads him out of the forest.

Meanwhile, Mother Paula's Pancake House is under construction but is facing delays due to vandalism. Roy learns that the running boy, whose name is Mullet Fingers, is the culprit. They soon become friends. It turns out that there is an endangered species of owls on the construction site, and Mullet Fingers is trying to protect them.

Curly Branitt denies the presence of owls, but Roy and Mullet Fingers manage to convince their classmates to join them in a protest. In the end, they are victorious, saving the owls and their habitat. Mother Paula's business agrees to preserve the property as an owl sanctuary.

Mullet Fingers' mom sees him protesting and takes him home, but he sneaks out the window and is mistaken for a burglar. His mom lies to the police, claiming he also stole a valuable ring. The police believe her, and Mullet Fingers is sent to juvenile detention, but he manages to escape.

Finally, Roy discovers that Mullet Fingers' real name is Napoleon Bridger. I gave this book three stars because it failed to maintain my interest throughout. I found myself getting bored in the middle and had no desire to continue reading. While it was a good book, it simply wasn't my cup of tea. It was overly focused on animals, their conservation, and protesting, which didn't appeal to me personally.

I simply cannot believe that the librarian would recommend this book for 4th and 5th graders.

There is swearing throughout the text, which is completely inappropriate for children of that age. Additionally, there are tons of bullying scenes.

In one instance, a boy is practically strangled by another boy. In response, the victim punches the bully, breaks his nose, and then runs away.

The mother scolds the boy for his actions, but the boy can see in his father's eyes that he is actually proud of him.

I, for one, did not finish the book. There were just too many instances of things that I do not want my kids reading.

It is essential that we are careful about the books we recommend to children, as they can have a significant impact on their development and values.

We need to ensure that the content is age-appropriate and promotes positive messages rather than violence and disrespect.

These books have had a profound impact on me, awakening a strong desire within me to engage in environmental work.

As I delved into the pages of these remarkable works, I was exposed to the harsh realities of our planet's environmental challenges. The vivid descriptions and eye-opening facts presented made me acutely aware of the urgent need for action.

I was deeply moved by the stories of those who are already making a difference, fighting to protect our natural world. Their dedication and passion served as an inspiration, fueling my own determination to contribute in any way I can.

Now, armed with this newfound motivation, I am eager to take steps towards a more sustainable future. I want to raise awareness about environmental issues, advocate for positive change, and actively participate in conservation efforts.

These books have truly been a catalyst for my journey into environmental work, and I look forward to making a meaningful impact on the world around me.

Roy's life is filled with constant moving due to his father's job. Currently in Florida, all he can do is compare it unfavorably to Montana. That is, until he catches sight of a barefoot boy running across town. This mysterious boy lodges firmly in Roy's mind.

Why was he running? Why no shoes? Where was his destination? The next time Roy spots him from the school bus, he impulsively gets off and chases after him. This leads to a heap of trouble for Roy. However, he eventually discovers that the running boy is a classmate's stepbrother, Napoleon Bridger. Napoleon is on a mission to save an endangered species of owls whose habitat is in jeopardy as a pancake house is set to bulldoze their nesting site for a new restaurant.

Napoleon has been getting creative in his attempts to stop the construction. He's been trespassing, pulling up survey stakes, placing alligators in port-a-potties, and removing seats from earth moving equipment. Roy decides to find a way to assist him and the owls. After researching online, Roy learns that the owls are protected by the state of Florida, making any nesting sites off-limits to developers.

When Roy tries to access the restaurant's file at the planning office, he discovers that the crucial survey of the area is missing. He reports his findings to his fellow students during a current events presentation. As a result, they all show up to support the owls and protest the pancake house at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The construction foreman, the police officer investigating the site crimes, and Dana, the school bully, add a touch of amusing entertainment. Napoleon's "crimes" are rather comical, and fortunately, no one is harmed by his pranks. It's heartwarming to see the kids, who truly care about the owls and are determined to do the right thing, emerge victorious over big business, bullies, and the high school vice principal. The story concludes beautifully when the head honcho of the restaurant corporation gets what he deserves, and some of the characters return to observe the owls they've helped to safeguard. Justice is served, and it's incredibly satisfying!

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen is an outstanding coming-of-age story that I absolutely adored.

It encompasses all the elements that a kid can easily relate to. There are bullies, the feeling of not fitting in, the desire to help, a noble cause, beautiful friendships, and a loving family.

The best aspect of this book is the presence of those cute owls and the remarkable way in which the author has brought the wonderful characters to life.

I was excited to learn that it has been made into a movie. Now, I will definitely have to watch it.

Although it may have been targeted at preteens, I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of reading this book. It has a charm and a message that can resonate with readers of all ages.

It is a story that teaches us about the importance of standing up for what is right, being true to ourselves, and the value of friendship and family.

Hoot is truly a gem of a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an engaging and heartwarming read.

Ahoy there me mateys! A while back, I was introduced to this author due to a cat on the cover of Scat. I took a liking to that book so much that I made up me mind to listen to all of Hiaasen’s other juvenile books.

Here be a review of the other four books: Hoot, Flush, Chomp, and Squirm. These books share some common themes. All of them feature a young boy who resides in Florida, endures bullying, has a passion for animals, possesses a quirky sense of humor, makes new friends, and saves the day. Weird names also seem to be a recurring trend. While the bad guys are rather one-dimensional, the good guys are quirky and entertaining. Also, there tend to be loving, albeit odd, parents involved, which is a nice touch.

Hoot: This was apparently a nominee for the Newbery medal for best novel. I also recall watching some of the movie with me nephews at some point. In this one, Roy Eberhardt relocates to Florida. He becomes the target of the school bully, Dana Matherson, who uses him as a punching bag. It is while being slammed into the school bus window that Roy first catches a glimpse of “the running boy” who is fleeing from the school bus and appears to be shoeless. Roy gets drawn into a mystery to uncover who the boy is and what he is up to. The running boy is named “Mullet Fingers” and is on a mission to combat a pancake house and safeguard the owls. I adored Roy and the girl Beatrice. I also loved the pancake house actress.

Flush: In this one, a boy named Noah is resolute in helping his dad put a stop to the local casino boat from dumping sewage into the water. His sister Abbey joins in on the adventure. Me favorite character was Shelley. There are side plots about the kids attempting to save their parents’ marriage. Also, this is one of those books where the dad actually admits his faults and takes steps to improve. I particularly relished the family dynamics in this one.

Chomp: This was me other favorite. This book follows a boy named Wahoo (the worst name ever) as he teams up with his dad as an animal wrangler for a wildlife reality TV show. His friend Tuna (the second worst name ever) tags along on location. This was a tongue-in-cheek take on reality television that had me in stitches. The reality star, Derek Badger, is something else entirely. It is over-the-top and absurd, and I loved every bit of it.

Squirm: This book was a bit different in that part of it takes place in Montana and there is an absent dad who definitely doesn’t deserve any awards for being the best parent. In this book, Billy is determined to meet his father and get answers to his questions. Like in Hoot, snakes are a major theme. For me, this plot was the strangest. There is supposed to be a mystery regarding what exactly Billy’s father does for a living. The answer wasn’t all that interesting to me, and the dad seemed like an idiot in general. I did like Billy, though.

I was extremely glad to have read these books. They are rather lighthearted and silly, but I can see their appeal to younger readers. They certainly appealed to this older one as well. Me personal preference for the reading order is Scat, Chomp, Flush, Hoot, and then Squirm. Scat and Chomp, in particular, had some laugh-out-loud moments. I highly recommend them. Arrr!

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I used to have an absolute passion for Carl Hiaasen's books during my childhood. They were indeed an integral part of nurturing my love for the environment as I was growing up. This particular book is incredibly heartwarming. The end scene, in which they all hold hands and safeguard the owl burrows, is truly touching. It really evokes a sense of nostalgia within me, reminding me vividly of the time when I first read this book in elementary school. I have a deep affection for this book. I firmly believe that it conveys such a wonderful and important message. It has rekindled my excitement to reread his other children's books. I am eager to embark on this literary journey once again and explore the imaginative worlds and valuable lessons that Hiaasen has to offer.

A young teenager finds himself in a challenging situation as he attempts to adapt to a new school in Florida. Not only does he have to deal with the typical difficulties of starting over in a new environment, but he also stumbles upon the mystery of a feral boy and his strange fixation on a vacant lot.

The story is filled with the author's unique sense of humor, which manages to shine through even when addressing mature and complex topics relevant to young adults. Starting a new school can be a daunting experience, and the author does a great job of capturing the teenager's feelings of uncertainty and nervousness.

Additionally, the themes of bullies, dysfunctional families, and the struggle between business and nature are explored in a thought-provoking way. The author presents these issues in a relatable and engaging manner, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and their experiences.

Overall, this is a captivating story that combines humor, mystery, and important life lessons. It is sure to appeal to young adults who are looking for a book that both entertains and makes them think.