Hoot (novel) facts for kids
Cover of Hoot
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| Author | Carl Hiaasen |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Realistic Fiction |
| Published | 2002 Alfred A. Knopf |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 292 |
| ISBN | 0-330-41529-8 |
| OCLC | 53393228 |
Hoot is an exciting 2002 mystery novel by Carl Hiaasen. It's a story about friendship, courage, and protecting nature. The book won a special Newbery Honor award in 2003.
The story takes place in Florida. A new kid named Roy moves there. He quickly makes two unusual friends and one big enemy. Together, they try to stop a pancake restaurant from being built. This restaurant would destroy the homes of tiny burrowing owls.
Contents
Story Plot
Roy's New Life in Florida
The main character, Roy Eberhardt, moves from Montana to Florida. He settles in a made-up town called Coconut Cove. At his new school, Trace Middle School, a seventh grader named Dana Matherson starts to bully him.
One day on the bus, Roy sees a barefoot boy running outside. Roy tries to get off the bus to follow him. But Dana, the bully, attacks Roy. Roy manages to escape by hitting Dana. He then gets off the bus.
However, Roy can't catch the running boy. A golf ball hits Roy on the head. The school's Vice-Principal, Viola Hennepin, suspends Roy from the bus. She also tells him to write an apology to Dana. Roy tries to make peace, but Dana refuses.
The Pancake House Problem
A restaurant called Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House plans to build a new place. It will be in Coconut Cove. But someone keeps damaging the construction site. This causes delays.
Roy soon learns that the running boy is the one causing the trouble. His nickname is "Mullet Fingers." Roy and Mullet Fingers become friends. Mullet Fingers is trying to stop the building. He wants to save the endangered burrowing owls living on the land.
The construction foreman, Leroy "Curly" Branitt, says there are no owls. Roy helps Mullet Fingers prove that the owls are there. Roy tells his class, including Beatrice Leep, about the owls. He explains how the building will harm them. He encourages everyone to join him in protesting.
Saving the Owls
Roy and his classmates go to the groundbreaking ceremony. This is where building officially starts. They reveal the truth about the owls. They also show that the company illegally removed important environmental papers.
This information saves the owls and their homes. Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House blames former employees. They promise to turn the land into an owl sanctuary. Chuck Muckle, a company executive, gets in trouble for attacking a reporter. Dana, the bully, is arrested and sent to a detention camp.
Mullet Fingers's mother sees him protesting. She tries to get all the attention from the cameras. Two days later, Mullet Fingers escapes from his home. He is mistaken for a burglar. His mother lies to the police, saying he stole a valuable toe ring. He is sent to a juvenile detention center but escapes again. In the end, Roy finds out Mullet Fingers's real name is Napoleon Bridger Leep.
Main Characters
- Roy Andrew Eberhardt – He is the new kid at Trace Middle School. Roy quickly becomes enemies with the school bully, Dana Matherson. He also makes two unusual friends: Beatrice Leep and her step-brother, "Mullet Fingers."
- Beatrice Leep – She is a tall, strong girl with curly blond hair. Beatrice is known as "Beatrice The Bear" at school. She is tough and plays on the soccer team.
- "Mullet Fingers"/Napoleon Bridger – He is Beatrice's stepbrother. Roy first knows him as the mysterious barefoot kid. His nickname comes from his ability to catch fish with his bare hands. He often runs away from home because he doesn't get along with his mother.
- Officer David Delinko – He is a police officer in Coconut Cove. Officer Delinko investigates the damage at the construction site. He starts to care about the owls and helps the kids.
- Leroy "Curly" Branitt – He is the foreman at the Mother Paula's Pancake House construction site. He is bald, grumpy, and suspicious of everyone.
- Dana Matherson – He is the school bully. Dana enjoys hurting other students. His mother is also a bully, but his father tries to control him. Dana holds a grudge against Roy for hitting him earlier.
- Andrew and Lizzy Eberhardt – These are Roy's parents. They are understanding and supportive. Mr. Eberhardt works for the government and helps Roy check building permits. Mrs. Eberhardt is protective of Roy.
- Chuck E. Muckle – He is a vice president at Mother Paula's Pancake House. Chuck Muckle is the main bad guy in the story. He is arrogant and dishonest. He pretends the owls don't exist so he can build over their homes.
- Leon and Lonna Leep – Leon is Beatrice's father. He used to play in the NBA. He is a good person but doesn't get involved much. Lonna is his new wife. She is a waitress who loves attention and doesn't like her son, Mullet Fingers.
- Kimberly Lou Dixon – She is the actress who plays Mother Paula. She is the face of Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House.
- Garrett – He is Roy's best and only friend at Trace Middle School. Garrett is a skateboarder and popular. His mother is also the school counselor.
- Viola Hennepin – She is the vice principal at Trace Middle School. She tries to discipline Roy, even when she knows he was bullied.
Story Themes
The novel explores several important ideas. These include the power of friendship and working together. It also looks at growing up and facing challenges. Other themes are honesty, family love, and protecting the environment.
Film Adaptation
A movie based on the book was released in May 2006. It was also called Hoot. Luke Wilson played Officer Delinko, and Logan Lerman played Roy Eberhart. Brie Larson played Beatrice Leep. Carl Hiaasen, the author, and Wil Shriner, the director, worked hard to make the movie true to the book.
