Hoot by Carl Hiaasen is a young adult novel that tells the story of a group of middle school students who team up to save a colony of burrowing owls from being driven out of their natural habitat by a planned construction project.
The main character of the story is Roy Eberhardt, a new student at Trace Middle School who has recently moved to Florida from Montana. Roy is an outsider and a bit of an oddball, and he struggles to fit in at his new school. However, he is drawn to a group of classmates who are fighting to save the owls, and he becomes an integral part of their efforts.
The group is led by Beatrice Leep, a feisty and determined girl who has a deep connection to the natural world. Along with her friend Mullet Fingers, a rebellious and resourceful boy who has a knack for getting into and out of trouble, they set out to do whatever it takes to protect the owls.
Their efforts are opposed by a group of characters who are determined to see the construction project go through, including the school's principal, Mrs. Connelly, and the wealthy developer who is backing the project, Mother Paula.
As the conflict between the two sides escalates, the students find themselves in dangerous and unpredictable situations, and they are forced to rely on their wit, courage, and determination to overcome the obstacles in their way.
In the end, the students succeed in their mission to save the owls, and they learn important lessons about the value of standing up for what they believe in and the importance of preserving the natural world.
Hoot is a fast-paced and entertaining read that touches on important themes of environmentalism, friendship, and standing up for what is right. It is a great choice for middle grade readers who are looking for a book that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking.
