Hoot | Carl Hiaasen
Siobhan's Book Rating (out of 5): 
March 2008 – For those who love to laugh, this is the book to go for: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. A story that can be enjoyed by both boys and girls, it has also won the Newberry Award. It's loaded with comedy and a little different from my previous book choices.
Roy Eberhardt lives in Florida. One day, while being smashed into the school bus window by a bully, Roy spots a running boy – only the boy was running away from the bus. He had no books, no backpack, and no shoes. Roy sets himself on the boy's trail where he experiences some strange things including alligators in portable potties, vicious hound dogs, and several poisonous snakes with unnaturally sparkling tails! And what about that fake-fart champion?!
When Roy learns that Mullet Fingers is hatching the stunts to save some burrowing owls, he is determined to help no matter what the dangers. The owls are about to be burried by construction workers making a Pancake House. Will the owls die because of the construction? What if the workmen keep working on the area? Roy, Mullet Fingers, and his stepsister Beatrice will need all the help they can get before it's too late! Can they convince the entire school to get involved?
Mr. Ryan interrupted firmly, "Hold on, Roy, what do you mean it's 'not legal'? You need to be careful when you're making those kinds of serious allegations."
Excitedly Roy explained that the burrowing owls were protected by state and federal laws, and that it was illegal to harm the birds or disturb active burrows without getting special government permits.
"All right. Fine," said Mr. Ryan, "but what does the pancake company have to say about this? I'm sure they got the proper permission —"
"The file is missing," Roy cut in, "and the foreman tried to tell me there weren't any owls on the property, not a single one. Which is a lie."
The class started buzzing again.
"So tomorrow at lunch," Roy continued, "I'm going out there to... well, just because I want the Mother Paula's people to know that somebody in Coconut Cove cares about those birds."
Mr. Ryan cleared his throat. "This is a sticky situation, Roy. I know how upset and frustrated you must feel, but I've got to remind you that students aren't supposed to leave school property."
"Then I'll get a note from my parents," Roy said.
Hoot is a real hoot, packed with humorous parts that made me laugh time and time again. I look forward to reading this book again!
Book Review by Siobhan, age 9
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