Hoot is a story about a fun adventure that has a small group of young people making positive choices. The setting for this mystery-fiction tale takes place in the state of Florida, USA. The main character, Roy, has moved regularly with his family and he is used to being the new kid in schools and neighborhoods. His previous experience helps him make new friends and ward off a big bully who singles him by stalking and harassing Roy.

This new life seems like just another cycle to Roy until he witnesses a very strange event that leads Roy and his friends on a whirlwind adventure. Young boys and girls find themselves taking on something greater than their selves or their small worlds the very definition of a hero. Saving a few members of an endangered species from greedy building contractors is an issue dear to my heart.

I not only loved the environmental theme but truly feel the author deserves praises for creating such intelligent, well-spoken characters especially Roy, Beatrice and the mystery boy. I was impressed by Roys speech about schools teaching youth how ordinary individuals became a part of positive change in the world simply by doing what they believed in which was very moving and is something teachers and parents alike will appreciate. Two of the kids in this book have a difficult home life and the awareness of how hard life is for some, may bring some discussion into classes and families.

Author Carl Hiaasen depicts a character without describing in minute detail thus leaving the imagination of the reader to determine how a character looks. Forgivable flaws in individual characters are made so by being so human such as the policeman who makes some serious, yet understandable, blunders.

I would recommend Hoot by Carl Hiaasen anywhere, anytime! This is a fantastic tale that youth between the ages of 7 to 13 would relate very easily to, though I believe the range of readers Hoot would appeal to would be much wider than this. I, for one, am nearly 37 and I truly enjoyed doing this review project!

Publisher: Yearling
ISBN: 0-440-41939-5

Lillian Brummet

Lillian Brummet

Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment rash Talk embarks on frugal and conscious living techniques for the individual. We focus on the reuse of 'waste' materials and reducing consumption of resources. Trash Talk is written to empower people to feel more positive about their worth as individuals in a hectic, expensive, environmentally stressed world. We show how to make a real and visible difference, while saving money at the same time. Publisher: Publish America Released: July 21, 2004

Author of Towards Understanding (ISBN#1-4137-9337-1) - This book of 120 poems is written in chronological order. It is a story of survival, of breaking the chains of inner demons, finding value and purpose in life and growing towards understanding - but not quite reaching it. The poems also embrace the environment and question society. Towards Understanding will reach today's female audience because it is a true chronological story of a young woman growing through childhood trauma, being independent at age 13, moving through healing, finding self-worth and questioning society. I truly believe, and hope, that the book can help other women. Publisher: Publish America. Earliest Estimated Release: Late December, 2005