48 Hour challenge - 1st book done

One of my students got me Scat by Carl Hiaasen as an end of year present. I decided that it would be my first read of the 48 Hour Challenge.

Much like Hiaasen's book, Hoot, this book is about preserving the nature in Florida. What is a little more unique in Scat is that both grown-ups and kids join forces against the bad guys -- in this case, an oil drilling company.

The cast of good guys have impressive credentials:

• Nick - the boy whose dad lost an arm in the war, who tries to learn how to do things one-handed as well, even in times of crisis, even when face to face with a panther.
• Marta - Nick's friend who sticks by him in times of adversity
• Duane Scrod Jr. (aka Smoke) - by all accounts, a "bad" boy but through the course of the story, we learn there is much, much more than meets the eye
• Mrs. Starch -- an aptly named teacher. She isn't my style of teacher, but she has the same heart when it come to her students. She wants them to learn and to be critical thinkers. Turns out there is also a little more to her than we might at first believe. Definitely someone for A Year of Reading's Top 100 Teachers in Literature!!!
  
• Twilly - the mysterious, unknown man whose heart belongs to nature

The plot twists aren't totally surprising, but they are enjoyable. Hiaasen is at his best when describing the almost extinct panther -- beautiful language.

Great first read. Now, it's off to bed for me, and up bright and early to meet the Central Ohio bloggers for breakfast and a trip to Cover to Cover.