Disclosure: I read the novel with my son for his bookclub. I borrowed the DVD to see if the film adaption is a worthy companion piece (tl/dr; it's not).

The book is divided into 3 acts:
[spoiler]
1. The first act is a mystery. A new kid (Roy) moves to Florida. He sees something strange and investigates.
2. The second act is a friendship among three unlikely kids.
3. The final act is about the environment. While this final act isn't the page turner the first two acts are, it is told with respect.
[/spoiler]

The novel writer **Carl Hiaasen** was reportedly heavily involved in the film (he did not write the screenplay) and the first act is extremely faithful to the novel. Unfortunately, the pacing is rushed and execution is too lightweight, unfortunately greatly diminishing the mysterious elements.

The second and third acts falter significantly. They are hampered by casts (3 kids) being too old and glamorous to be unpopular middle school students. And oddly wrong choice of music by Jimmy Buffett, which makes already already watered down execution even more lightweight.

To me, the book is about exposing the bullies (e.g., Mother Paula's Pancakes, Dana, bad parents, bad school staff) and how it is up to us and the community to help one another to stand up for what's right. The movie turned bullies into caricatures, diluting the book's messages.