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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A decent story for kids, but not much more. It's one of those tales where a group of kids work together to reveal something important to clueless adults, yet there isn't a whole lot to differentiate it from similar others and make it stand out as notable. I originally read it years ago and struggled to remember any details about the book when I started reading it to my son earlier this year; I suspect that it won't linger with me long after the second read, and it didn't make much of an impression on my son, either.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Characters: 8/10
I found the characters in Hoot memorable and distinctive, especially Roy, whose development as a protagonist felt natural and relatable. Mullet Fingers stood out with his mysterious yet compelling dedication to environmental activism, and Beatrice added a grounded strength to the narrative. The secondary characters, such as the bumbling Officer Delinko and the ambitious Mother Paula's representative, added depth and humor without feeling unnecessary. I cared about the outcomes for these characters and appreciated their multidimensional personalities, though a few minor figures leaned toward being caricatures.
Atmosphere/Setting: 9/10
The setting of Coconut Cove, Florida, was vividly depicted, and I could easily picture the sunny, swampy environment where much of the story unfolded. Carl Hiaasen captured the unique feel of Florida with its wildlife and ecological challenges, making the atmosphere both immersive and essential to the story. The scenes involving the burrowing owls felt particularly alive, enhancing the story's tone and environmental focus. The setting amplified the stakes and grounded the narrative beautifully.
Writing Style: 8/10
I found Hiaasen's writing style engaging and easy to follow. His prose had a sharp, humorous edge that balanced the seriousness of the themes, such as corporate greed and environmental conservation. The dialogue felt natural, and the narration flowed effortlessly. While the writing was accessible and enjoyable, it didn't always stand out as particularly unique or lyrical. That said, I would be interested in exploring more of his work because of his ability to combine humor with thought-provoking themes.
Plot: 8/10
The plot was cohesive and well-paced, with an engaging balance between lighthearted moments and deeper environmental issues. I found the twists, such as the true identity and motives of Mullet Fingers, satisfying and well-executed. The conflict over the owls and the construction site felt both timely and timeless, adding weight to the narrative. While the ending tied things up well, it lacked a bit of the surprise or emotional punch that could have elevated it further.
Intrigue: 9/10
I was consistently invested in the story and eager to see what would happen next. The central mystery surrounding Mullet Fingers and the fate of the owls kept me hooked. The stakes, though not life-and-death in the traditional sense, felt urgent and important, which made the book hard to put down. I found myself genuinely curious about how the characters' efforts would resolve, and the blend of humor and tension maintained my engagement throughout.
Logic/Relationships: 9/10
The characters acted in alignment with their motives, and their relationships felt authentic and well-developed. Roy’s evolving relationship with Mullet Fingers and Beatrice was particularly compelling, as was his growth in understanding the importance of standing up for what he believed in. The world-building was clear and consistent, and the rules of the story’s societal dynamics made sense. The relationships and their development fit seamlessly into the plot, adding depth without overcomplicating the narrative.
Enjoyment: 9/10
I thoroughly enjoyed Hoot. Its humor, heart, and environmental message blended into a story that felt both entertaining and meaningful. The balance of mystery, action, and personal growth made it a consistently enjoyable read. I would absolutely recommend it to others, especially for its appeal to both young readers and adults who appreciate environmental themes with a touch of humor.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What the hell did I just read?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Car accident
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
kids doing bioterrorism slays
if you read at a formative age, i feel like i now understand why you are the way you are (affectionately)
if you read at a formative age, i feel like i now understand why you are the way you are (affectionately)
I need to remember that these are children's books and that the target is for the younger age group, however, with that being said, Harry Potter, Because of Winn Dixie, Percy Jackson are also children's books and I LOVE them, so why not Hoot so much? Maybe I wanted more character development. Generally I want the character of the book to become my best friend and I want to miss that character when I am finished reading the book. I did not develop a connection to any of the characters and since it was a Newberry Award Winning Book, maybe I had higher expectations. Not that the book was horrible or bad, I did like the story, about a boy who is out of place in a new city, tries to fit in by standing up for what he believes in. I think I just wanted more.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
The new kid who is used to moving just moved to Florida. He dose not have any idea of whats coming his way holding many adventours every schools feels the same with bullies and experiences. It feels the same with bullies and experiments. It all feels the same untill he meets the bully. One day on the bus roy gets pushed into the bus window and he spots this boy running. this boy is always from the bus with no school supplies in hand This makes roy wonder. Roy follows the boys trails and it leads to somewhere mysterious. Later on roy gets to know the boy and the girl named beatris and they team up together to help free the animals. During it all they come very well acquainted. By now Roys a littel bit more comfortable in his school, and during it all he meets a friend or two.
Aw, this was cute and a really good story. I loved it!
3.5/5
Delightful. Utterly delightful.
It’s such a lovely story, a bunch of misfit kids standing up for owls. I loved that Roy’s parents supported him and never treated him like a child.
I wished there had been more of the friendship between Roy, Beatrice, and Mullet Fingers. They were such great characters.
I really disliked the constant use of people’s surnames. We already know their names, it’s mentioned at least twice per page, no need for anymore.
There is a lot of nostalgia here for me. I watched the movie dozens of times when it first came out, but haven’t rewatched it in several years. It was great to come back to this story and these characters. The movie did a great job in adapting the novel - though I could have done without the added movie romance. It was nice to read about all the extra characters and information about the story.
Such a great read!!
Delightful. Utterly delightful.
It’s such a lovely story, a bunch of misfit kids standing up for owls. I loved that Roy’s parents supported him and never treated him like a child.
I wished there had been more of the friendship between Roy, Beatrice, and Mullet Fingers. They were such great characters.
I really disliked the constant use of people’s surnames. We already know their names, it’s mentioned at least twice per page, no need for anymore.
There is a lot of nostalgia here for me. I watched the movie dozens of times when it first came out, but haven’t rewatched it in several years. It was great to come back to this story and these characters. The movie did a great job in adapting the novel - though I could have done without the added movie romance. It was nice to read about all the extra characters and information about the story.
Such a great read!!