LECTUREThis novel takes place in Coconut Cove, Florida. This small town located on the water's edge has a beach feel. The story takes place in 2000, in spring. There is a golf course near a junkyard for old cars and trucks, including an old ice cream truck in which one of the characters, "Mullet Fingers", is hiding. There is also a construction site for a creperie. There is also a high school in Coconut Cove. plot This novel begins when a boy, Roy Eberhardt, moves to Coconut Cove, Florida. Roy becomes the victim of the school bully, Dana, on the bus. One day, Roy looks out the bus window and sees another boy running barefoot and as fast as lightning. After having to run through Dana by punching him in the nose, Roy finally gets off the bus to follow the kid barefoot but only to be hit in the head by a golf ball. Roy is forced to write a letter of apology to Dana but Dana does not accept the truce. Meanwhile, popular Mother Paula's Pancake House is looking to build its 674th pancake house in Coconut Cove. However, they have some difficulties because during the night someone vandalizes the construction site. After befriending the barefoot child, who we discover is a fugitive known as "Mullet Fingers", we also learn that he is responsible for the vandalism. He tells Roy about the baby owls burrowing in the construction site that will be killed if construction continues. Roy also befriends Mullet Fingers' sister-in-law Beatrice, who helps him fight Dana. Together, Roy, Beatrice and Mullet Fingers also attempt to fight Mother Paula's construction foreman and get them to move the restaurant's location to save the owls. After denying the existence of owls, it is up to the trio of pro...... middle of paper ...... to believe in it. THEME The theme of the novel is integrity. This is seen when the children stand up against Mother Paula's creperie to fight for the owls who don't have the opportunity to fight for themselves. This is also seen when Roy attempts to make a truce with the bully, Dana, proving that he is the more important person in the situation. PERSONAL RELEVANCE The themes of this novel are ones that I strongly believe in. I think this book is ideal for teenagers. worth reading because it shows that even though we are young, we can still make a difference. I agree with the trio's actions to save the construction owls. I feel bad for Mullet Finger because the reason he doesn't have a normal life is because of his lack of a positive mother figure in his life. His mother's rejection leads him to not always make the best choices. I support Roy's attempt at a truce with Dana.