Thursday, July 31, 2008

Hoot

Bibliography: Hiaasen, Carl. (2002). Hoot. New York: Alfred A. Knoph. 292 pps.

Genre: Fiction, environmental protection, humor
Awards:
A Newbery Honor Book
The SEBA Book Award for Best Children's Book
A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
A Book Sense Book of the Year Finalist
A New York Times Bestseller


Synopsis:
RoyEberhardt, a.k.a. "cowgirl", is the new kid at school...again. Roy and his family just moved from Wyoming to Florida, where he has trouble makinng new friends and adjusting to the school bully who continuously picks on Roy during the morning bus ride. One morning, while having his face squished against the school bus window, Roy sees a strange sight. A boy wearing shorts, a basketball jersey, and no shoes is running next to the bus. Roy assumes the boy is trying to get to the stop in time to get on the bus even though it still seems strange that the boy has no shoes or a bag. When the bus arrives at the stop, and the boy keeps running around the corner, Roy's suspicions mount. He totally forgets that Dana Matherson has his head jammed tight against the window, and he begins masterminding a plan to track the boy and find out what he is up to and why he is running...barefoot. In the meantime, corporate giant, Mother Paula's All American Pancake House, is attempting to clear some land to begin the construction of its 469th restaurant. The foreman, Curly, is having trouble with a vandal who keeps uprooting his survey stakes and filling in the holes. Officer Delinko is hot on the case, and after a couple of missteps, he wants nothing more than to solve the case. Roy, Curly, the running boy, Dana, a wild girl named Beatrice, and officer Delinko all tangle together to create a wild story about standing up for what is right in the face of authority.

Review:
Hoot is a quirky book that will appeal to younger readers. The book raises the question about how to do the right thing when you are going to have to break a few rules. Overall, that is the theme of the book; just do what is right - whether you are a junior high bully, an uncaring mother, or a corporate giant. Furthermore, Hiaasen intelligently and seemlessly incorporates a "big picture," world community topic of environmental protection. This book can be used in a variety of groupings from whole-class to individual. I personally think Hoot would appeal more to the younger spectrum of the adolescent readership - 12-15 year-olds maybe. This book can easily be included with lessons on the environment, or perhaps local commercial or community growth.

No comments: