Bullying is an important idea in Hoot because this is a common experience for teenagers. Roy is new to Coconut Cove and new to Trace Middle school. Dana bullies Roy on the bus, around the neighbourhood and at school. Dana makes fun of Roy by calling him ‘cowgirl’. Dana also tried to strangle Roy on the bus and Dana once pushed Roy into the janitor’s closet and tried to strangle and punch Roy. Dana also pushed Roy’s face into the window. ‘When Roy tried to wriggle free, Dana mushed his face against the window’. Dana has never liked Roy and has always bullied Roy throughout the novel.
Another type of bullying in Hoot happens in Beatrice’s family. This is important because a lot of families have bullying in them and can be a dysfunctional family. Beatrice’s Dad and stepmother make her do what they don’t want to do. Beatrice has to cook dinner for her dad every day. Lonna, who is Beatrice’s stepmother, doesn’t really like Beatrice. Beatrice has to do what Lonna tells her to do. “Miz Beatrice here will be busy cleanin’ the house. And the kitchen. And the bathrooms. And anything else I can think of”. Beatrice doesn’t her stepmother Lonna because Lonna bullies her. Beatrice’s family is a dysfunctional family and they bully her.
In the novel Hoot bullying happens often. Bullying is important because anyone can get bullied and it can happen