Roy Eberhardt moves around a lot due to his father's job. In the book, they just moved to Florida. He hates being the new kid. On the bus, a bully smashes Roy's face against the window. While his face is smashed against the window, he notices a boy running along the streets with no shoes on. Roy is very curious and follows the boy.
Roy does not like his new home in Florida. He misses the outdoors and mountains in Montana. Roy meets a strange boy who is later called Mullet Fingers. Mullet Fingers helps Roy have a brand new understanding of wildlife. He later learns that there is a property that is about to be bulldozed that is the land for burrowing owls. Roy immediately realizes that he needs to protect the land that is home to the burrowing owls, as it is about to be bulldozed and turned into a breakfast joint.
The reason I love this book so much is because I am a HUGE animal person. I felt like I am like Roy in a lot of ways. Just like Roy, I would have went to any extreme to save an entire species of owls from the bulldozers. This book is quick and wonderful read. Carl Hiaasen uses cliffhangers at the end of every chapter to keep you interested.
I feel like a lot of kids who move around a lot can relate to this character also. I think when kids move around a lot, I really does take a toll on them. They have to go through the process of getting to know new people, a new school, and a new teacher over and over again. Children tend to thrive in environments they feel safe and comfortable, so I imagine the fact that Roy moving around a lot as a kid had an impact on his learning and achievement. School is hard enough even for someone who feels comfortable. Mullet Fingers has a very interesting name. Where did that come from? Also, it’s cool that you can relate to the character in this book. It seems like when we can relate to a character, we can get more interested and invested in the book. Does Roy ever fit in at his new school and does he stop getting bullied?
ReplyDeleteI watched the movie Hoot but I have never read the book. I know what it's like to be the new kid in a new state. It really does suck, but making friends is the best way to adapt. Sometimes finding those new friends can be difficult. Roy is going from one extreme to another. Montana and Florida couldn't be more different. I'm sure that it was a challenge to find a person who could relate to him, but he managed. Not only did he make a friend, but he also found something he was passionate about. I'm sure it will be interesting to see how their friendship develops. I think it's awesome that you feel a connection to the main character. It should make the book an easy read! What do they do to save the owls?
ReplyDeleteI remember always wanting to read this book when I was younger! For some reason, I never got to it. Here's my chance now! I have always noticed whenever I read a book, it is never what I expected it to be. I don't think I imagined it to be like that, so I'm looking forward to possibly adding it to my challenge list. I really like how the character did not like living in Florida. Many people would do anything to live in such an environment. Every location has its own beauty and Mullet Fingers seemed to make that clear. What a great book for children to read to understand endangered species.
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