When Roy Eberhardt first comes to Coconut Cove, Florida, he is not happy about it. The move is a massive transition from where he previously lived in Montana. Not only did Roy and his family move a very long way in terms of mileage, but the family's new home in Florida is a very different geographical location from where Roy was living previously. Montana has big, beautiful mountains, actual seasons, and temperatures that are not blazing hot all of the time. To Roy, Florida's heat and humidity are oppressive, and it's flatness is also awful. Not even Disney World is able change Roy's mind about Florida.
"Disney World is an armpit," Roy had stated flatly, "compared to Montana. I want to stay here."
Finally, Roy doesn't come to Florida with friends. He's an outsider, and people like Dana and Beatrice are less than welcoming to Roy. Fortunately, some of those relationships change. Roy becomes very good friends with both Beatrice and Mullet Fingers. Together they work to frame Dana and save the owls from the construction company that knows about their presence but doesn't care.
Having good friends really helps Roy realize that Florida isn't such a bad place. Not only do they make daily life more tolerable, but Mullet Fingers and Beatrice help Roy realize that Florida does have amazing natural beauty. It isn't the same as Montana, but that doesn't mean places like the Everglades are any less beautiful and amazing. By the end of the story, readers see that Roy has embraced Florida and his presence there.
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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