Hoot, directed by Will Shriner

Bibliographic Information:
Shriner, W. (2006). Hoot. New Line Home Video. ASIN: B000GB5MH4

Book Awards:
Not applicable

Plot Summary:
Uprooted from Montana, Roy is not liking Florida at all. Not, at least, until he meets the meanest girl at school and her mysterious, almost feral, brother. Mullet Fingers (the brother) is definitely up to something, and Roy follows him repeatedly to find out what it is. When he learns that Mullet Fingers is trying to sabotage a construction site to save the home of the endangered burrowing owls, Roy uses his brains to go along with Mullet's brawn. As Mullet Fingers teaches Roy about the joys of Florida, the kids are drawn further and further into danger, fighting the corrupt corporation intent on destroying the owls.

Critical Evaluation:
Although this movie got panned in the reviews, I and my kids loved it. The scenery was beautiful, the acting was good, the story was interesting, the moral was strong-- what's not to like? I especially appreciated the message that using the law to fight corruption was a more effective technique than sabotaging the construction. A movie doesn't have to win Oscars to be an enjoyable family movie. The Jimmy Buffet sound track and cameo didn't hurt either!

Reader's Annotation:
Can 3 kids thwart a corrupt company that wants to illegally build a pancake restaurant over the burrows of an endangered species?

About the Author:
Not applicable

Genre:
Fiction

Curriculum Ties:
Environmental science
Biology

Booktalking Ideas:
Not applicable

Interest Age:
9+

Challenge Issues:
Kids break the law, and aren't punished.
Defense:
The message of spirit versus letter of the law, moral right etc. is important to understand.
Refer to collection development policy. If dispute continues, parents' wishes regarding their own children will be respected.

Reason Included:
My kids wanted to watch it. They loved it!