Carl Hiaasen might not be the first author that readers think of when they hear the term "juvenile fiction." His popular novels for adults, including Skinny Dip, Tourist Season, and Double Whammy, usually center around crime, corruption, sex, and scandal. However, with Hoot, Hiaasen's first novel for kids, the author applies his trademark style and humor to a tale more appropriate for a younger audience.
Hoot tells the story of Roy Eberhardt, a middle-schooler whose family has just been transplanted from the wilds of Montana to the sunny tourist town of Coconut Cove, Florida. Curiosity about a boy he notices running barefoot leads Roy to become involved in a crusade to save a colony of burrowing owls from destruction at the hands of a pancake house conglomerate more concerned with wealth than wildlife. The book offers a clear message about the importance of protecting the environment, a topic found in many of Hiaasen's fiction and nonfiction writings.
In a 2002 interview for the Orlando Sentinel, Hiaasen tells journalist Nancy Pate why the issue of environmentalism is a perfect match for young readers:
They're an audience not yet poisoned by growing older. Their initial moral impulse is the right one. You don't get screwed up until you get older. Kids know the difference between right and wrong.
Hoot became an instant hit upon its release in 2002, not only with the young readers for whom it was written, but also with many of Hiaasen's adult fans. Hoot has been recognized as a Newbery Honor Book, and its success has led the author to continue writing juvenile fiction in addition to his adult-targeted novels. The book was adapted into a feature film in 2006. The author's second book for young adults, Flush, was published in 2005. Like Hoot, the book is set in Florida and features a strong environmentalist theme.
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