Read along with my 5th grader. I didn’t realize until recently that Hiaasen wrote middle school level books. I’ve always found his humorous writing style entertaining and have enjoyed his adult books for a good quick read. This was no different. The story is entertaining and insightful with all the wit and humor you can find in his adult books. Both my son and I enjoyed reading this. ( )

I had heard good things about this and I saw it at the library so I decided to read it.

I think it's probably great for kids but it left me a little cold. I think it's a nice way to get the idea of protecting animals across to kids and bring it all closer to home than worrying about more exotic tropical animals.

No real issues with the book - I'm just the wrong audience. ( )

I liked it up until the point I knew exactly what was going to happen; and I knew way too soon. ( )

The great storytelling and direct writing I expect from Hiaasen, but not much of the absurdity I also expect. A good YA novel, but a run-of-the-mill Hiaasen novel. ( )

I am reviewing the audio CD version of Hoot. I enjoyed listening to Chad Lowe read this engaging book. Carl Hiaasen has captured the “new kid” angle and the “smaller kid” angle with ease. Roy hates Florida. He just wants to go back to Montana until he sees the “running boy.” Once he sees the boy, he is determined to solve the mystery of whom he is and why he was running.

Roy gets involved in Mullet Fingers’ crusade to save the burrowing owls from the Mrs. Paula’s Pancake House crew. The unwavering resolution of Mullet Fingers inspires Roy to learn to love Florida, or at least accept that it isn’t a horrible place to live. As much as Roy, Mullet Fingers and Beatrice save the owls, they save Roy as well.

The adult characters are basically there to provide some comic relief. The brains of the mystery are provided by the Middle School kids. Officer Delinko and Curly are steps away from being their own new version of the Three Stooges (heck, one even has the name already!). Roy’s parents are loving and kind. Roy’s law-enforcement dad helps Roy locate some important missing information but for the most part the adults are not particularly involved.
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