Scat
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Product Description
Book Description
An hilarious eco-thriller set in Florida and featuring a nightmare teacher, a boy on a mission, a stuffed rat named Chelsea, and a motherless panther cub.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
By the time I was half way through this book I forgot that it was aimed at a young audience because I was enjoying it so much. That's not to say that it isn't suitablle for kids - it absolutely is - just that it's such a well plotted story that runs at such a lovely quick pace that it doesn't matter who you. You'll really feel safe in the hands of an assured storyteller.
If you've read any other Carl Hiaasen books then you'll know that there is always a familiar backdrop: the potential destruction of the delicate natural environment of Florida. It's not a preachy book though, or at least I didn't find it so. The environmental issues are just a backdrop to the comic and thrilling mishaps of the cast of classic Hiaasen characters, with their often overblown features and slightly over the top mannerisms.
The only reason I don't give this five stars is because if you read it alongside a couple of other Hiaasen books the stories would most likely blend into one. But on the other hand, there is nothing wrong with consistency if it's consistent excellence!
If you've read any other Carl Hiaasen books then you'll know that there is always a familiar backdrop: the potential destruction of the delicate natural environment of Florida. It's not a preachy book though, or at least I didn't find it so. The environmental issues are just a backdrop to the comic and thrilling mishaps of the cast of classic Hiaasen characters, with their often overblown features and slightly over the top mannerisms.
The only reason I don't give this five stars is because if you read it alongside a couple of other Hiaasen books the stories would most likely blend into one. But on the other hand, there is nothing wrong with consistency if it's consistent excellence!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Who is this book written for? Children, teenagers, adults? Who cares? Carl Hiaasen has written another great book on the absurdities that stupidity, greed, and indifference can lead to. I have been a great fan of Hiaasen for a long time, and I was a bit disappointed that he seemed to be focusing on writing for young adults with his latest books. I also liked his recent books for adults (e.g., Nature Girl) less; many characters did not really come to live, and the stories were just a bit too farfetched. I was therefore a slightly hesitant to buy Scat. Most of the main characters are teenagers, but I am not sure that the book is really written for young adults. Relations are occasionally described in a way that young adults will probably fail to understand. But, of course, it does not matter who the book was written for. It is simply a very good, funny, and thought-provoking book. The characters are excellent. Hiaasen writes in his usual understated way, and lets that events speak for themselves. Apart from the main line there are various additional story lines, which make it a very rich book. This is Hiaasen at his best.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Nick and Marta are two of the lucky eighth-grade students in Mrs. Starch's (who just happens to be the most feared teacher in the history of the world!) biology class. Every day they sit and pass notes back and forth to each other, discussing their fear of being called on.
The day after their field trip to the Black Vine Swamp, something mysterious happens. Mrs. Starch doesn't come back, and she is never absent, and people start to wonder. While there might be a scrawled note and a message on her answering machine that states that she has had to deal with a family emergency, people, especially Nick and Marta, aren't buying it.
They are all convinced that Smoke, the kid in Mrs. Starch's class that she dislikes the most, has something to do with her disappearance.
In a whirlwind adventure filled with arson, endangered animals, the Iraq war, the Florida wet lands, a money hungry wannabe oil rigger, and panther poop, Nick and Marta set out to find their missing biology teacher.
Carl Hiaasen definitely has a knack for adventure. Every story he creates always has some crazy plot that makes you think as well as laugh! In this case, Hiaasen poses the problem of destroying the environment for monetary gain and how it affects the ecosystem in a hilarious manner. He also throws in some other great themes to think about: not judging people by their history/the way they look, believing in yourself and never giving up, learning to live with what you've got, and working as a team.
These themes are so important for younger readers (and sometimes older!) to learn, and Hiaasen did such a great job of incorporating them into the book without blatantly stating them. While this book has more of a middle-grade audience, it is great for all ages of readers, although there is a tad bit of language. Overall, I think the book was masterfully written and was a worthwhile and entertaining read.
Reviewed by: Tasha
The day after their field trip to the Black Vine Swamp, something mysterious happens. Mrs. Starch doesn't come back, and she is never absent, and people start to wonder. While there might be a scrawled note and a message on her answering machine that states that she has had to deal with a family emergency, people, especially Nick and Marta, aren't buying it.
They are all convinced that Smoke, the kid in Mrs. Starch's class that she dislikes the most, has something to do with her disappearance.
In a whirlwind adventure filled with arson, endangered animals, the Iraq war, the Florida wet lands, a money hungry wannabe oil rigger, and panther poop, Nick and Marta set out to find their missing biology teacher.
Carl Hiaasen definitely has a knack for adventure. Every story he creates always has some crazy plot that makes you think as well as laugh! In this case, Hiaasen poses the problem of destroying the environment for monetary gain and how it affects the ecosystem in a hilarious manner. He also throws in some other great themes to think about: not judging people by their history/the way they look, believing in yourself and never giving up, learning to live with what you've got, and working as a team.
These themes are so important for younger readers (and sometimes older!) to learn, and Hiaasen did such a great job of incorporating them into the book without blatantly stating them. While this book has more of a middle-grade audience, it is great for all ages of readers, although there is a tad bit of language. Overall, I think the book was masterfully written and was a worthwhile and entertaining read.
Reviewed by: Tasha
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another Hiaasen hit
This is one of crime writer, Carl Hiaasen's books for the young adult/teen market. It follows the formula of his adult books with a deep and abiding interest in the environment... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
Slow, boring and cliche
Ok, this is written from an adult perspective, but one who enjoy reading teenager's book (as long as they are not Stephenie Meyers... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Roger Jay
A good romp in the Florida swamp
This book is aimed at teenagers but is a good read for slightly older kids like me. Anyone familiar with Carl Hiaasen's work will see lots of familiar themes here - eccentric... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Liam D. Ferguson
Eco friendly and postive traits
As a person who has fond memories of wildlife tales where the average person becomes a hero, I have to say that when this offering by Carl Hiaasen landed I was more than curious. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
I'm 12 and I loved it!
A unbealievely good book this appeals to all ages 11 to 99!I THOURGHLY RECCOMEND THIS TO EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN IT .IN OTHER WORDS JUST BUY IT!
Published on 31 Oct 2009
a shared perspective
"A teacher disappears into a swamp on a school trip and teenagers team up with the school trouble maker and a weirdo eco-warrior to save endangered panthers from oil developers. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2009 by Mr. G. Mayfield
A Powerful, but Humorous, Tale of the Responsible Life for Youngsters...
Don't miss this book!
I admire Carl Hiaasen's messages, story-telling ability, and writing skill as expressed in Scat. Read more
I admire Carl Hiaasen's messages, story-telling ability, and writing skill as expressed in Scat. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2009 by Donald Mitchell
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