Hoot

The loneliness of being the new kid in town, a mysterious boy, bullies of all ages, and protected miniature owls make for some familiar high jinks in Hiaasen's first novel for young readers. Someone has been sabotaging the site of Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House. Survey stakes get uprooted, alligators swim in Porta Potties, and water moccasins terrorize four rottweilers from hell. Chad Lowe narrates, as Roy Eberhardt, newly arrived in Florida from Montana, makes it his mission to save the owls. Lowe does wonders with the cast of mostly likable oddballs. We know how it will end, but in his inimitable fashion, Hiaasen has crafted a delicious screwball comedy for all ages--and Chad Lowe's performance is a hoot. S.J.H. 2003 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

September 9, 2002
Lowe's audiobook repertoire (most recently Big Mouth & Ugly Girl) grows with this unhurried, optimistic reading of bestselling author Hiaasen's debut work for young readers. Since his parents move around a lot, Roy Eberhardt is used to being the new kid at school. But when he and his family settle in Florida, being hassled by the school bully lands Roy in the middle of an ecological mystery. While taking a pummeling on the bus, Roy becomes fascinated with a boy he sees running in the street. The boy turns out to be a homeless, neglected kid who uses unorthodox tactics to save a local owl habitat from being developed as a pancake house. Roy inadvertently gets caught up in the boy's sometimes-humorous conservation efforts, with eventually positive results. With his youthful voice, Lowe again serves up a realistic portrayal of these young protagonists. The combination of a solid vocal performance and Hiaasen's stable of quirky characters will likely keep young listeners hooked, and established Hiaasen fans amused. Simultaneous release with the Knopf hardcover.
Ages 10-up.