Hoot

Hiaasen, Carl. Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 10,2002).
*Appropriate for grades 4-7*

Roy Eberhardt is the new kid at Trace Middle School in Coconut Grove, Forida. Roy is putting up with being bullied by Dana Matherson on the bus one morning when he notices a blonde boy running- with no shoes. Unable to fight his curiosity, Roy decides to find out where this boy is running and why he isn't in school. He discovers that this boy is a run-away who is dedicated to saving the miniature owls that are burrowing in a flagged construction site for a new pancake house. Roy decides to join this boy, Mullet Fingers and his step-sister, tough Beatrice, in their cause.

• Carl Hiaasen had written a great deal of novels for adults, all of which are set in Florida. Hoot is no exception, and would be a good companion for studying ecosystems and endangered species of this region.
  
• Students will also notice the switch from chapter to chapter between Roy and Officer Delinko's experiences, and this will lend itself to lessons on perspective.
  
• The theme of bullying weaves throughout the story. Hiaasen shows us that this issue is not as black-and-white as it seems. Roy's interactions with Dana provide many opportunities for discussion and debate about right from wrong within the classroom.