Hoot

Award-winning tale has environmentalism; mature themes.
Parents say
Based on 9 reviews
Kids say
Based on 115 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Carl Hiassen's Hoot is a fast-moving, entertaining story that was selected as a Newbery Honor Book in 2003. The central character has a lot of good qualities, including empathy, which makes this a great read for older kids, though some of the heavier issues may need to be unpacked via follow-up conversations. There's bullying, domestic violence, and abusive/neglectful behavior toward children. A kid runs away from home, and another is arrested and put in juvenile detention. Language includes "smart-ass," "bugger," and "damn," and both a teen and adult smoke. Authority figures are portrayed as inept, corrupt, and untrustworthy. The kid heroes sometimes lie, steal, and cut school, albeit for a good cause: saving rare and endangered burrowing owls. Gender roles are reinforced, there are negative comments regarding body size, and Native characters are referred to as "Indians" by White characters. But there are also positive messages about the importance of teamwork, protecting wildlife, and standing up for what you believe in.
Community Reviews
No good adult role models, among other things...
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Great book
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What's the Story?
In HOOT, Roy is the new kid in school, and he's already being picked on by a classmate named Dana. One day, while suffering a long school bus journey, Roy notices a mysterious barefoot boy running through the streets. Determined to find out what the other boy is up to, Roy is pulled into a mission, teaming up with some unlikely friends to stop a pancake franchise from building a restaurant on the habitat of endangered owls. But can the kids make a difference when they're faced with adults who don't seem to be playing by the rules?
Is It Any Good?
Carl Hiaasen's first novel for children has many likable characters, particularly Roy. His parents also stand out as caring, intelligent, and ultimately supportive, though Hoot does feature a lot of adults portrayed as inept, corrupt, and even abusive. But the book has all the ingredients to make an entertaining read for kids -- lots of ridiculous adults to roll your eyes at, cute animals, a kid hero, a tough girl with a heart of gold, a mean classmate to rally against, fart jokes, and an evil corporation -- even if there are some gender and Native stereotypes in the mix.
If you can overlook that, Hoot still has empowering, uplifting messages about standing up for what you believe in and protecting the environment. It also acknowledges that not every issue is black and white, and sometimes you need to think with maturity and empathy to save the day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the issues raised in Hoot concerning the conflict between environmental and economic concerns. How should we balance our human needs with those of the natural world?
The book deals with some heavy themes, including violence and neglect in the home. Talk about how the book handles these topics. What might you do if you experienced either of these, or how might you help others in similar situations?
There's a movie adaptation of Hoot. If you've seen it, how would you compare and contrast the two?
How does the main character, Roy, demonstrate empathy and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author: Carl Hiaasen
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Activism, Book Characters, Friendship, Middle School, Science and Nature, Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Empathy, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
- Publication date: May 1, 2006
- Number of pages: 292
- Award: Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated: November 28, 2022
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