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The third of Hiaasen's books for young readers is much like the first, and, perhaps more like many of his adult novels, featuring a cast of intrepid, young students with a strong emphasis on environmental protection. When their severe and much maligned biology teacher, Bunny Starch, goes missing after a thwarted field trip to the Black Pine Swamp, Nick and Marta decide to investigate for themselves, convinced that their classmate, Duane Scrod, Jr., aka Smoke, may be involved in some way. What ensues is an eco-mystery-adventure that touches on themes of family, friendship, greed and corruption, and the value of a teacher with rigorous academic values. The mystery isn't much of a mystery, easily worked out by the reader and the characters, but you care to see the novel through to its predictable end. The writing struck me as more trademark adult Hiaasen than his previous two young adult books, infusing his humor and adult characters whose environmental activism borders more on eco-terrorism than tree hugging, peaceful protests. I like this because it causes the reader to question how far your principles can or should take you in the name of a cause you strongly believe in, especially if it means you also break the law. Fans of Hoot or Flush, will like Scat.