In Hoot, middle schooler Roy Eberhardt finds himself entangled in a mission to save a colony of burrowing owls in Coconut Cove, Florida, after spotting a mysterious barefoot running boy. Teaming up with the boy, who is revealed to be Beatrice Leep’s stepbrother Mullet Fingers, Roy navigates challenges, including construction site sabotage and corporate corruption, to prevent a pancake restaurant from destroying the owls' habitat.

Carl Hiaasen's Hoot is praised for its humor, environmental themes, and engaging plot, making it a favorite for young readers. Critics appreciate its quirky characters and compelling message about wildlife conservation. However, some consider its pacing uneven and find certain character arcs underdeveloped. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and entertaining read for middle school audiences.

Readers who enjoy Hoot by Carl Hiaasen are typically middle-grade enthusiasts who appreciate environmental themes and humorous, adventurous plots. Fans of Holes by Louis Sachar and Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo will find a similar blend of quirky characters and meaningful life lessons in this book.

Humorous / Adventurous / Inspirational / Playful

- Hoot was Carl Hiaasen's first novel specifically written for a young adult audience, published in 2002.
- The book received the prestigious Newbery Honor award in 2003, recognizing its contributions to American children's literature.
- In addition to the book's acclaim, a film adaptation of Hoot was released in 2006, featuring a soundtrack by musician Jimmy Buffett, who also appears in the movie.

Carl Hiaasen

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore Hoot reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Hoot | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Hoot and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Hoot Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-7

Hoot Chapters 1-7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-16

Hoot Chapters 8-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 17-Epilogue

Hoot Chapter 17-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Hoot Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Hoot Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Hoot Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Hoot Literary Devices

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Hoot Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Hoot Essay Topics

Hoot Teaching Unit

Introduction

Hoot Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

Hoot Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Hoot Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

Hoot Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Hoot Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

Hoot Activities

Essay Questions

Hoot Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Hoot Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Hoot Exam Answer Key

Hoot

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Hoot?

Reading Age

Book Details