Newbery #2

Hoot

Hiaasen, C. (2006). Hoot. New York: Yearling.

This is a good story about taking a stand for something you believe in. A group of kids discover that the local owl population is going to be diminished by the construction of a Pancake House. It is well written, age appropriate, and funny. The book does depict characters vandalizing a construction site and outwitting/deceiving the adults in the book, which I'm not totally ok with when picking a book for my students to read, but this book does a good job of inspiring young readers to question authority when necessary and act to protect the environment.

I'm not one who has caught on to the "go green" hype. Yes, I think we should, but I'm still one of those people too lazy to recycle and such things. I was, however, raised and still reside deep in the country and have a strong love of nature. I think there's nothing more beautiful than a field encompassed by woods with no sounds but the wind rustling the leaves and owls or whipperwills (sp??) singing at dusk. I have a spot on a hill behind my current house picked out where I hope to one day build my dream home just for this reason. Anywho, back to the book...I'm glad that there are people standing up for the environment and for the animals who can not speak for themselves. I think that it's wonderful that someone wrote a book about the topic of protecting the environment where the main character is a kid. This is an awesome way to prove to kids that even though they are not adults, they can still work to accomplish big things and to be heard.

As far as Carl Hiassen goes, I've read a couple of his adult books, which have some pretty twisted humor and lots of profanity in them. This book, fortunately, is different and is geared down for kids. He gives many hints as to the motivations behind the actions of the characters in this book, whereas he leaves it up to the adult reader to work it out for themselves in his adult works.