Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Book:  Hoot 


Author:  Carl Hiaasen 


Grade:  A


Recommended to: adults, kids, environmentalists, people who like to laugh. 


This is probably the 10th Carl Hiaasen book that I've read.  It is a young adult/chapter book and it is a Newberry Honor Book, which brought back memories of reading chapter books in elementary school.  Apparently it was also made into a movie in 2006.

This book is about a new-in-town middle schooler who sees a barefoot boy, name: Mullet Fingers,  running away from the bus stop.  He follows the boy and a whole bunch of hilarity ensues when Roy, the new kid, finds out that the new Mother Paula's pancake restaurant is going to be built on a site with endangered burrowing owls.

I really enjoyed this book - to the point of laughing out loud on the Metra.  The main character Roy is extremely well written and very thoughtful and sensitive for a middle schooler.  The other main characters are a little one dimensional, but the book has an overall theme of environmentalism that is beautiful and refreshing.  It is also chock full of humor - if you've read other Hiaasen novels, you know that he often introduces a lot of characters and then puts them in completely ridiculous situations.  This book is written the same way and it is very well done.

Mullet Fingers is a younger Skink (the ex-Florida governor who wears a shower cap and lives in the wilderness) who fights against environmental abuses with outrageous acts of civil disobedience.  For example, he releases cotton mouth moccasins onto the Mother Paula's property, but not before gluing sequins all over their tails.   It is this attention to detail that drives Hiaasen's work above and beyond other works of comedic fiction.

I recommend this book to kids and adults alike.  It has a fabulous message and it is great for two days of laughs.

Happy Readings!

Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen

Book:  Double Whammy 

Author:  Carl Hiaasen 

Grade:   B 

Recommended To:  Hiaasen Fans, Fishermen. 

This was one of Hiaasen's first novels - I didn't know this until the elusive Skink showed up and he still had both of his eyes.  This is a recurring and magnificent character in Hiaasen's works and you get a lot of background on Skink in this book. 

In this book the main character is hired to research incidences of cheating in bass fishing tournaments and during those escapades - there are lots of creative murders and drama that make this book so classically Hiaasen.

This book is a lot darker and a bit less funny than some of his other books, which is why I gave it the B rating.  But, overall I will never fall out of love with Hiaasen's work.  He is an extremely talented and well written author that never leaves his audience stranded. 

I almost wish that I had read his books in order - but unfortunately I've had to piece together Skink's character and history from the many books where he is featured.  So, that is my recommendation to new Hiaasen readers - find his website and read them in order - it isn't at all necessary, but it will help if you are interested in the chronology of Skink.  What a goofy sentence!

This book is a solid B for its darker story line.  But, nevertheless I enjoyed it.  

Happy Reading! 

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

Book:  Star Island 

Author:  Carl Hiaasen

Grade:  B

Recommended To:  Hiaasen fans will LOVE this book! 

There are some things that just get better with age and Carl Hiaasen is one of them.   His stories and characters have aged like a great wine and it shows in his continued ability to build stories and characters with such comedic depth that you have to read his books with a box of tissues to wipe away the tears of joy.

I've loved nearly ALL of Hiaasen's novels and Star Island is no exception.  He brings back the infamous former governor Skink, and the weed-whacker embellished Chemo who add fabulous hilarity and connection to his earlier novels.

The novel follows the drugged out and hard partier, Cherry Pye, the pop star who seems intent on ruining her virtually non-existent career.  Hiaasen features a fat poparazzo, Cherry's delusional parents, and Cherry's body double, Ann.  This is a cast of characters that is sure to tantalize the most die-hard Hiaasen fans and I definitely recommend this book to anyone in need of a serious laugh.

I've discovered that reading funny books on the train is tough.  I want to laugh out loud so badly!  But, I definitely fear the looks that other passengers will give me when they hear my laughing over a book.  I read the majority of this book on the train to and from work and found myself biting my lip to keep from causing an uproar.

I gave this book a B because it seemed like the story didn't have as much depth as some of Hiaasen's other novels.  I mean have you read Skin Tight yet?  That book is pure gold.  This book wasn't quite there and needed a little more character development to become one of Hiaasen's top novels.

Despite the B status, you should totally read this book!

Happy Reading!!

Nature Girl - Carl Hiaasen

Book: Nature Girl

Author: Carl Hiaasen

Grade: B+

Recommended To: Comedy fans.


I recently discovered Carl Hiaasen's novels even though he's been writing comedy for years. I remembered that I had read one of his books, Skinny Dip years ago and decided to try out more of his novels this year including Nature Girl. Hiaasen writes comedic fiction and his attention to the bizarre detail is excellent. His books are literally laugh-out-loud funny. Do you remember the last time you actually belly-laughed when reading a book? No? Well, pick up any Hiaasen book and prepared yourself for sore abs.

In Nature Girl, a single mother gets a phone call from a telemarketer during dinner and immediately begins hatching a plan for revenge. She begins her own eco-tour company and coerces the telemarketer and his mistress to Florida with promises of seeing the wild everglades by canoe. This one event spirals into a fascinating and fast-paced story where the many characters finally come together on a distant island in the everglades.

I like Hiaasen's novels because they are always set in Florida and they are always WILDLY environmental. There is always an underlying theme that the thousands of people moving to Florida for the beaches and the weather are actually destroying a precious natural resource can't be restored. Hiaasen's novels are also never disappointing in the sense that the "bad guys" are always distinct and they always get what they deserve. Sometimes, you just need a book where you aren't torn between which characters to enjoy and which characters to hate.

I also like Hiaasen's novels because the real comedy comes from his descriptions of the characters. He has this gift where he describes a character but takes it far beyond what is needed for an adequate mental picture. He adds these ridiculous and funny details that make the story perfect and never over blown.

I gave this novel a B+ mostly because I reserve my A's for really extraordinary things but I recommend Hiaasen to anyone who is looking for a fast, funny read, you will not be disappointed.