SCAT by Carl Hiaasen

The biology field trip to Black Vine Swamp ends with a sudden wildfire and the disappearance of Truman School's most feared teacher, Mrs. Bunny Starch. Don't let the innocent sounding first name fool you. Mrs. Starch frightens even the most bold and undisciplined students who have had the misfortune of being scheduled to attend class in her room. She tolerates absolutely no nonsense and expects students to commit their science text to memory or be prepared to suffer her wrath.

Nick and his good friend Marta have been able to survive Mrs. Starch so far. On the day of the field trip, luck is on their side and they are assigned to another teacher's group. Nick's group is about to safely board the waiting bus when Mrs. Starch announces she is returning to the swamp to retrieve a lost asthma inhaler. Since the teacher had driven to the site of the field trip seperately, the bus heads back to the school with the students and remaining teachers, and it isn't until much later in the day that school officials realize Mrs. Starch never returned.

The next day it is announced that wacky Mr. Waxmo is to be their substitute until Mrs. Starch returns from a family emergency. Nick and Marta soon tire of Mr. Waxmo's outlandish teaching style and wish that Mrs. Starch would hurry back. The mystery surrounding her sudden absence causes Nick and Marta to begin an investigation of their own.

What follows is a fast-paced adventure involving endangered species, illegal oil drilling, a fellow classmate accused of arson, an eccentric grandmother, a Macaw that speaks three languages, and Nick's own personal family problems. SCAT has a little something for everyone.

Carl Hiaasen, famous for a column in the Miami Herald and countless books for adult readers, has once again proven his talent in writing for the YA audience. In addition to SCAT, he has written HOOT and FLUSH. This latest should be popular with readers both young and old.