Helpful Score: 1
A contemporary children's novel with elements of mystery, adventure, and personal development: the characters are distinctive, concerned, and limited (not superheroes) like all of us; the premise of an endangered burrowing owl is timely; the fictional corporation is profit driven (duh); and the resolution is satisfying. For parts of this a certain amount of "suspended disbelief" is needed, but it's a novel. If your political perspective is very conservative the corporation-as-villain will probably annoy you, but if you can take it as ONE business not a representative of all businesses the book works. It could serve for classroom use to raise discussions on different viewpoints on endangered species and on several topics related to personal development.
This is a good read with plenty of action. At the same time, Carl Hiaasen is very effective in his children's novels in featuring environmental and economic issues without being didactic. You can read his books for the plot and the characters, but many children will appreciate the opportunity to begin thinking about some contemporary issues involved in their settings or their actions. (If you haven't read any of his books, I'd suggest you start with Flush.)
This is a good read with plenty of action. At the same time, Carl Hiaasen is very effective in his children's novels in featuring environmental and economic issues without being didactic. You can read his books for the plot and the characters, but many children will appreciate the opportunity to begin thinking about some contemporary issues involved in their settings or their actions. (If you haven't read any of his books, I'd suggest you start with Flush.)
Really enjoyed it.
It was a cute book, targetted towards younger readers -- easier to read, shorter, simpler, with kids being the main characters, but had most of the elements that you would expect from Hiaasen (no R-rated activities - including gross violence). I read it in less than a day, and enjoyed it.
Great book!
AWESOME BOOK as a teacher and an avid reader!!
My daughter is 8 years old and an avid reader. She LOVED this book and is looking forward to reading more by Carl Hiaasen!
My daughter has read this book several times. Carl Hiaasen's wit in his other books for adults is also in this 1st book for children. It is a main selection of the Children's-Book-Of-The-Month-Club.
This is a great read! I read this book in one day! I couldn't put it down! you'll like it too if you care about wildlife and kids.
This is an excellent pre-teen book. It is very funny and the action keeps them turning the pages. It contains good messages about peer pressure, the importance of looking into your own heart and finding the answers, and corporate and environmental responsbility all in a wonderfully hilarious book!
Carl Hiaasen is one of my favorite authors, but this is the first time I've read one of his books for younger readers.It is the story of Roy Eberhardt, a boy attending Trace Middle School, in Coconut Grove, FL, having recently moved from Montana. Roy is an only child who is being mercilessly bullied by a bigger, older thug named Dana Masterson. Told with humor and lots of plot twists, we watch Roy make some unlikely friends, join a protest to save some rare burrowing owls, and save the proverbial day. Through the sharp eyes of the ever-observant Roy, we meet many adult characters typical to Florida, who provide comic relief and a thoroughly unusual plot line.
