Hoot

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Hoot: Speak Up and Give Back

The Movie

This movie is based on Carl Hiaasen’s Newbury Honor-winning children’s book, Hoot. The story revolves around Roy Eberhardt, a 14-year-old Montana boy, whose family has just moved to Coconut Cove, Florida.

As Roy begins school, he is distracted by a blond, barefoot boy running beside the school bus each morning. Roy’s curiosity to learn about this strange boy leads him to befriend Beatrice, an eighth grade  girl who happens to be the running boy’s step-sister. Roy soon discovers that the running boy goes by the name of Mullet Fingers and has run away from home. As Roy gets to know Mullet Fingers he learns about a nearby construction project which is threatening to destroy the local population of endangered burrowing owls that live there. Roy, Beatrice, and Mullet Fingers embark on a mission to save the burrowing owls. The three unlikely friends initiate a protest to save the owls from the brand new restaurant that is about to be built on the land. Roy’s campaign leads him to courageously take on construction people, corporations, and local police all for the sake of the owls.

The Activity Guide

The guide, Hoot: Speak Up and Give Back includes interactive group, individual, and partner activities for youth ages 9-15. 

Themes in the guide include:

• Protecting Wildlife
• Environmental Activism
• Anti-Bullying
• Youth Advocacy and Civic Engagement
• Standing Up With and For Others

Please ensure the site where youth view the movie has a license to screen it.