Scat (by Carl Hiaasen)

Nick's strict biology teacher angers a semi-delinquent student named Smoke by humiliating him in front of the class. The next day, after a class trip to the swamp that ends when a brush fire mysteriously flares up, she disappears. Smoke, who has been known to set fires, is the prime suspect, but when the police go to arrest him he takes off and disappears too. Meanwhile a shady oil company plans secret drilling in protected land, and a rare, endangered panther is sighted in the swamp. Somehow, all these events are connected.

The basic plot outline may sound familiar to fans of Hiaasen's previous books for kids, but he's getting better at it. Gone, for the most part, is the pandering potty humor (a surprise, given the title) that he seemed to feel was necessary before. There are still a few stupid adults around, but most of the adults are great role models from whom the younger characters learn a lot: smart, knowledgeable, caring, and just as dedicated as the kids to doing what's right. The characters are more multidimensional and well fleshed out. Even the plot is tighter.

In addition to the main mystery plot, there's a beautifully done subplot about Nick's father returning from Iraq, having lost his right arm to an RPG. The actions Nick immediately takes to understand and support his father are concrete, believable, and highlight Nick's exceptional talent for empathy, a trait that comes into play in all of the various plot strands. Although there is a cartoonish villain, he's such a bit player compared to all of the strong, decent, complex characters, children and adults, that he is hardly noticed. Hiaasen, a noted adult author, seems to be getting the hang of the children's lit gig -- let's hope for more like this.

From the Book:
Mrs. Starch said, "We're all waiting," which was true. The other students, including Nick and Marta, were on the edge of their seats.

They were aware that something major and possibly legendary was about to occur, though they had no clue that within forty-eight hours they would each be questioned by sheriff's deputies and asked to tell what they'd seen and heard.

Author: Carl Hiaasen
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication date: January 1, 2009
Number of pages: 371
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 10
Read Alone: 11