Here's a breakdown:
* The Burrowing Owls: The owls are endangered and their habitat is threatened by the construction of a pancake house called "Mother Paula's."
* Roy Eberhardt: He is a young boy who moves to the area and learns about the owls. He becomes determined to save them, even if it means defying powerful adults.
* The Developers: The developers, led by the ruthless Curly, are focused on profit and have no regard for the owls' plight.
* The Environmentalists: A group of environmental activists led by "The Mullet Man" (later revealed to be a lawyer named Beatrice) also fight to protect the owls. They use less conventional methods, leading to conflicts with the authorities and Curly's crew.
Other conflicts in the book include:
* Roy's personal struggle: He must balance his desire to protect the owls with the pressure to fit in at his new school and his fear of his father's reaction.
* Friendship conflicts: Roy's friendship with his new friend, Dana, is tested by their different approaches to the owl situation.
* Conflict with authority: Roy and Dana find themselves in conflict with the local police and authorities who are initially skeptical of their claims about the owls.
The core conflict in "Hoot" drives the story, showcasing the struggle between human greed and the need to protect the natural world.