Hoot: Chapters 1–3

by Carl Hiaasen
Twelve-year-old Roy Ebehardt takes an unexpected interest in the plight of a group of owls endangered by a local pancake house.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapter 15–Epilogue
15 words 5720 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. vandalize
    intentionally destroy or deface someone else's property
    The policeman couldn’t see what there was to be vandalized on the property, which was basically a few acres of scraggly weeds.
  2. deface
    mar or spoil the appearance of
    You can’t have vandalism without monetary damages, and if nothing on the property was broken or defaced....
  3. ironically
    in a manner characterized by incongruity or unexpectedness
    Ironically, Garrett’s mother was a guidance counselor at Trace Middle. Roy figured she used up her guiding skills every day at school and was too worn out to deal with Garrett when she got home.
  4. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    Garrett looked skeptical. “An outlaw? You mean like Jesse James?”
  5. accost
    approach and speak to someone aggressively or insistently
    It was the same answer he gave on the school bus when Dana Matherson accosted him on his first day, and from then on Roy was “Tex” or “cowgirl” or “Roy Rogers-hardt.”
  6. unprovoked
    occurring without motivation or incitement
    “He says your attack was unprovoked.”
  7. confront
    present somebody with something, usually to criticize
    “You could’ve really hurt me,” she said.
    Roy felt uncomfortable being confronted by a girl.
  8. indignation
    a feeling of righteous anger
    Curly’s shiny head bobbed in indignation.
  9. leniency
    mercifulness as a consequence of being tolerant
    Roy thought it was a good opportunity to renew his plea for leniency.
  10. assault
    a threatened or attempted physical attack
    “Because this is assault,” Mr. Eberhardt said. “You can’t choke another person. It’s against the law.”
  11. discipline
    punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience
    “Liz, you should call the school tomorrow,” Mr. Eberhardt said to Mrs. Eberhardt, “and find out if — and how — this boy will be disciplined for attacking Roy.”
  12. sinewy
    possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
    Every night before turning off the lights, Roy would lie on his pillow and stare at the poster, imagining that he was the sinewy young bull rider in the picture.
  13. contemplate
    reflect deeply on a subject
    It was exactly the sort of idiotic stunt that Dana Matherson would try, Roy thought as he contemplated his apology letter.
  14. clout
    special advantage or influence
    Normally an officer of his rank wouldn’t get involved in such a silly case, but the company building the pancake franchise had some clout with local politicians.
  15. disgruntled
    in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
    “Okay,” said Officer Delinko, rubbing his chin, “so then, how about a disgruntled customer? Maybe someone who once had a bad breakfast at a Mother Paula’s!”
Created on Thu Sep 22 17:31:38 EDT 2016 (updated Thu Jul 31 10:51:07 EDT 2025)

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