11 Mar 2014

HOOT.

HOOT by CARL HIAASEN.

SOURCE: Ex-library stock.

Roy Eberhardt never wanted to move to Florida. 'Disney World is an armpit,' he states, 'compared to Montana.'

Roy’s family moves a lot so he’s used to the new-kid drill – and Florida bullies are pretty much like bullies everywhere. But Roy finds himself oddly indebted to hulking Dana Matherson. If Dana hadn't been mashing Roy's face into the school bus window, Roy might never have spotted the running boy. And the running boy is the first interesting thing Roy's seen in Florida.


The boy is about Roy's age, but he is running away from the school bus. He has no books, no backpack and, most oddly, no shoes.


Sensing a mystery Roy sets out to trail the unknown runner. Where is the boy going and what does he have to do with potty-trained alligators, a fake-fart champion, some burrowing owls, a very dodgy pancake PR man and several snakes with unnaturally sparkly tails?


Suddenly life in Florida is looking up!

..... Inner front cover

FIRST SENTENCE {Chapter 1}: Roy would not have noticed the strange boy if it weren't for Dana Matherson, because Roy ordinarily didn't look out the window of the school bus.

MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 124}: As the bullet whizzed over its tiny whiskered head, shattering the toilet seat, the mouse took off - a squeaking blur that scooted out the door-way, between Curly's feet.

MY THOUGHTS: With its winning combination of off-beat humour and fun characters Hoot with its themes of bullying and environmental activism is a highly enjoyable topical read which whilst recommended for those ten and over I thought suitable for younger more confident readers as well as adults.

OK, so there are certain elements that some adults may think to be age inappropriate (without giving too much away and the books lavatorial witticisms aside there is mention of vandalism) but on the whole I felt Hoot made for great discussion about the nature of big corporate companies (in this instance the fictional Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House) versus environment issues(as represented by the burrowing owls) and the lengths one would/should go to  to stand up for what they believe in.

Though I haven't read any of the books for 'grown ups' written by this author if this, his debut novel for children, is any indication of how good they are then I'll be sure to keep a look out for them.


Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper. All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission. In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

16 comments:

Kelly said...

I have heard so many good things about Hiaasen and have never read any of his books. I know I'd enjoy them.

I don't guess I realized he also wrote for the YA crowd. This sounds quite good!

Cherie Reich said...

Hoot sounds like a great book! I know my sister enjoyed it when she read it in middle or high school. Thanks for the review!

Suko said...

Tracy, I'm glad you enjoyed this. We may have a copy of this in the kids' room; I will have to take a look!

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Sounds like a perfect book for a little boy I know. His dad is big on this. Might have to read it first myself. :)

brandileigh2003 said...

The off beat humor sounds great and I am invested in the concepts of bullying.

Stephanie@Fairday's Blog said...

I have been wanting to read this one for a while, so thanks for putting it back on my radar. I haven't read any of his books for adults yet, either- but I do enjoy his writing for MG readers. Very realistic and witty. Great review. I will have to get this one soon. :)

Mamakucingbooks said...

I have it somewhere in my Pending to read pile :p...

Looking forward to read it

Bo said...

I have never read Carl Hiaasen as he is not really my cup of tea, but I have to say, the synopsis really intrigued me and I found I was chuckling over some of the plot developments. Although, if I were going to recommend it to a young reader, I think I'd want to check it out first. No need giving little tykes any ideas they don't need to have.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Tracy,

I too have heard great things about Carl Hiaasen's writing, although I have yet to read any of it for myself.

I love the cover of 'Hoot', although I can't sympathise too much with Roy, as I like Florida and love Disney World (we have visited about 25 times, so I'm certain about that by now).

Any writing or action which brings large corporations to book, is okay by me!

Thanks for a fun review of this book.

Yvonne

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I haven't heard of the author or this book before, but it certainly sounds like a fun and exciting read :)

Indrani said...

Adding it to my "to read' list. Good review done.

Barbara said...

Hi Tracy, I haven't heard of the author or the book but just this one sentence - Suddenly life in Florida is looking up! – is enough to make me want to read it.

carol said...

I've heard so many great things about this one. I really should read it at some point.

Betty Manousos said...

sounds like an excellent book!
thanks for your great review, tracy.

big hugs!

Yanting Gueh said...

This book sounds like a ... ! I laughed at arm pits and fake farts. (Good grief, my sense of humour is turning these days.)

Literary Feline said...

I've heard such wonderful things about this author and his books. I really must give him a try!