by Carl Hiaasen
First published 2019
Roy Eberhardt hates his new life in Florida. He thinks Disney World is terrible, and he already faces trouble from Dana Matherson, the local bully. Everything changes when Dana's harassment leads Roy to spot something strange: a boy running from the school bus without shoes, books, or backpack. Roy decides to follow this mystery runner. His pursuit leads him into a world of trained alligators, burrowing owls, fart contests, and snakes with glittery tails. Roy meets the shoeless boy, who turns out to be an environmental activist fighting to protect endangered owls. Mother Paula's pancake company plans to build a new restaurant on the owls' nesting ground. Roy and his new friends must find a way to stop the construction and save the birds. The story becomes Roy's chance to finally belong somewhere and fight for something that matters.
Genres: fiction, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Disney World, Florida
304 pages · Paperback · Macmillan Children's Books