Sticky Situations

By: Owen D

Carl Hiaasen is the author of many books based on saving animals and protecting and respecting the Earth, but by far, his finest work is a novel about two kids' adventures to save their least favorite biology teacher, who has gone missing. Scat is the fictional story of Nick and Marta, who are not only best friends but also two of Mrs. Bunny Starch's students as well. They go on a field trip into the Black Vine Swamp in hope of seeing some native wildlife in their natural habitats, and maybe a glimpse of the elusive Floridian panther, but have to be escorted out at once when a wildfire erupts in the area. When Libby, another student on the field trip, announces that she forgot her inhaler in the swamp, Mrs. Starch heroically delves back into the swamp to retrieve it, but never makes it back out. Dr. Dressler, the headmaster at Truman School, declares that Mrs. Starch is on a family emergency leave of absence. 

 

Nick and Marta worry about Mrs. Starch and the legitness of Dr. Dressler's statements, and begin to question what started the fire that could have possibly claimed the life of their biology teacher. All fingers point to Duane, a troublemaker student in their biology class, who just happens to be a pyromaniac, which is why he is nicknamed Smoke. Smoke insists that he didn't have anything to do with the fire, but Nick and Marta have their doubts. In order to avenge Mrs. Starch, her nephew Twilly, Nick, Marta, and Smoke set out to find her, but stumble on a situation much more complicatedly dangerous than any of the four of them could have ever imagined.

Scat is overall a beautifully written book that highlights the influences that industrial corporations have on natural land and its inhabitants. Hiaasen uses multiple plot twists that albeit make certain parts slightly confusing, but create tension that adds to the ending. It also proposes questions about human nature and why so called good people can do bad things. The introduction of strange and new characters also is semi puzzling, but adds some insightful information that is essential to the story. The best part about Hiaasen's writing by far has to be the care and emotion about Floridian wildlife and the wellbeing of humans and animals together. Hiaasen uses this love for the environment to drive his writing and also raise awareness for the human impact on the natural world.

Any and all of Carl Hiaasen's works are must-reads, but if you can't decide which one to start with first, Scat is the best option. Based on the innocence and corruptness that he portrays in the novel, it is a definite crowd pleasing book that is good for all ages looking for a fun and intriguing read.