Student Question

What is the ending of the story Hoot?

Quick answer:

The story concludes with the successful halting of the restaurant's construction after Roy, Mullet Fingers, and Beatrice prove the presence of owls and expose the construction company's neglect of environmental studies. Roy and Beatrice solidify their friendship, while Mullet Fingers disappears again. The book ends with Roy visiting a creek Mullet Fingers showed him, symbolizing his connection to nature and determination to persevere, reflecting his growth throughout the story.

Expert Answers

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Hoot nicely wraps up just about every conflict. The major thing that concludes is that the construction of the restaurant has been stopped. Roy, Mullet Fingers, and Beatrice successfully prove to everybody that the owls do indeed live there. Additionally, they are able to prove that the construction company intentionally ignored environmental impact studies of the site. Roy and Beatrice have grown close over the course of the story, and the story ends with their friendship securely set. About the only "loose end" that the story leaves is what happens to Mullet Fingers. He has disappeared once again; however, the book ends with a little nod or tribute to him. Readers get to see Roy go out to the secret creek that Mullet Fingers showed him, and Roy attempts to catch a fish. He is unsuccessful, but he vows to keep on trying.

Guess I'll have to come back another day and try again, Roy thought. That's what a real Florida boy would do.

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