Hoot

Book Title: Hoot

Author: Carl Hiassen

Publisher: Yearling

Copyright Date: 2005

Genre: Mystery

Brief Annotation: It’s not the first move for Roy Eberhardt – his family moves a lot. This time they left Montana for Coconut Grove, Florida. It’s hot and humid and Roy is not enjoying his days at Trace Middle School. As if navigating the school day (including eating lunch alone) isn’t bad enough, Roy must endure the wrath of mean Dana Matherson in the halls and on the bus. But one day on the bus, as Dana is smashing Roy’s face into the bus window, Roy spots something. He sees a strange boy running. Hmmm… why is this boy running (away from school), without shoes? And so the mystery and the adventure begin. How will a tough, soccer-playing girl named Beatrice, a not-so-bright foreman named Curly, a eager (although sleepy) policeman named Officer Delinko, and a Mullet Fingers (a Mullet Fingers?!) and a pancake house all factor into this mystery? Well, it would ruin the mystery if I told you…

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – This is a fun, quirky mystery that, on one level, is purely a really good read. But Hiassen has done more than that; he has created characters that have character. Amongst all the silly and unexpected twists, there are lessons to take away. Sneakily sprinkled in through all the suspense and drama, are messages of independence, standing up for your beliefs and standing up for others (owls) who can’t speak for themselves, learning to see people differently, finding new ways to deal with people and problems, and… the list goes on and on.

Readers who will like this book: Middle schoolers will most enjoy this book – especially those who like funny mysteries that are mostly reality based, with a dose of quirky. Both boys and girls will enjoy this book, but I think it’s a good one to keep in mind to perhaps get a reluctant boy reader engaged in reading.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Imagine… you’re riding on the school bus and you see a shoeless, strange boy, about your age, running through the neighborhood and he is not running in the direction of school. Something about this boy makes you curious. What would you do?

Interest Level (age): 10-14

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.8

List Awards: Newbery Honor Book