A couple of years ago, I started reading some of Carl Hiaasen's novels. I think Hiaasen's novels are best described as off-beat, pro-environment, anti-development comic fiction. Or as Cosmopolitan once described them "unbelievably funny -- tears-running-down-your-cheeks funny in spite of some pretty weighty themes like the destruction of the environment and the cut-throat ways of developers."
While browsing a mega-book store with my daughters I found that Hiaasen has recently--well if 2003 is recent-- taken on writing books for young teens. His first, Hoot,--winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal-- "plunges readers right into the middle of an ecological mystery, made up of endangered miniature owls, the Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House scheduled to be built over their burrows, and the owls' unlikely allies--three middle school kids determined to beat the screwed-up adult system. Hiaasen's tongue is firmly in cheek as he successfully cuts his slapstick sense of humor down to kid-size. Sure to be a hoot, er, hit with middle school mystery fans."
SInce Hoot deals with development and endangered species I thought it appropriate to review it here, but since it is aimed at young teens I decided to bring in guest reviewer: 9-year old Abby Haab. Abby, an active 4th grader, enjoys reading and playing soccer and softball. Since I failed to read a complete book until I was out of high school--thank goodness they made a movie out of Catch-22 or I would have never graduated--Abby obviously gets her brains from her Mom.
Here's Abby's review:
I learned from Hoot that Florida has owls. Mother Paula's Pancake Company didn't know. The company affects the environment and the animals. Three kids save the owls by standing up for what they believe in. When the kids told Mother Paula's that there were owls [on the planned site of a new Pancake House] they decided to call off the Pancake House. I believe what they did was awesome because they saved the environment and they did what they believe in.
I read the book too, and the Pancake Company did know about the owls, but I guess the "evil developer" theme was a little too advanced--or depressing--for a 9-year old. Anyway, a good read for anyone looking to introduce kids to development/environment issues in a way that they don't really think they are learning anything.
Now I just have to convince Abby that not all corporations are evil--and that I'm not a total dork. I think the first part will be easier.
