The construction site is for a new Mother Paula's All American Pancake House, but there are burrowing owls on the property. It turns out that Mullet Fingers has gotten bitten by several dogs while vandalizing a construction site. Roy promises to back off.Ī few days later, Beatrice saves Roy from Dana and in return she asks his help with Mullet Fingers. Mullet Fingers has run away from home and does not want anyone to know where he is because he believes his mother will have him sent to juvenile hall if she learns where he is. There, Beatrice tells Roy that the running boy is her stepbrother, Mullet Fingers. The red haired girl, whom Roy now knows is Beatrice Leep, steals his bike and forces Roy to accompany her to a salvage yard. Roy finds his camp beside the golf course, but the boy covers his head with a bag and leads him back out, not allowing Roy to see his face. However, Roy's curiosity is inspired and he decides to search for the boy anyway.

The girl tells Roy to back off of his quest to uncover the identity of the running boy. Roy tries to explain himself, but the girl is tough and angry. However, before Roy catches up with the running boy, he is hit with a golf ball.īack at school, Roy runs into a red haired girl who wants to know why Roy was leaving the bus that morning. Roy punches Dana and chases after the boy. A few days later, Roy sees the boy again and starts to chase him, but Dana strikes again, choking Roy. Roy tries to find out who the boy is later at school, but no one seems to know anything about him. While forced to look out, Roy sees a barefoot boy running away from the bus stop. Roy Eberhardt is on the school bus when Dana Matherson, the school bully, forces his face against the window. Hoot is a story of childhood that includes Hiaasen's trademark wit and takes a whole new group of readers on a ride through Hiaasen's Florida. Roy has no way of knowing that befriending this running boy will set him on a course that will end with a demonstration against one of the country's largest pancake houses. Roy becomes fascinated with this boy, determined to find out who he is.

While under attack on the school bus by Dana, Roy sees a barefoot boy running away from the bus stop. In Hoot, Roy Eberhardt is the new kid in school and as such he is the current target of school bully, Dana Matherson. Hoot is the first novel for young readers by bestselling author Carl Hiaasen.

Hoot author carl hiaasen