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Flush

(2005, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Carl Hiaasen)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Teens fight polluting casino boat owner.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Noah and Abbey lie to their parents, sneak out at night, and take reckless risks. Their father is also impulsive and reckless, and has been in and out of jail. Their grandfather was involved with thieves and smugglers.
  • Violence:

    Noah is beaten by bullies, and threatened with a gun and chased by a hired goon. A character is thought to have been killed. Abbey bites people hard enough to draw blood.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Moderate swearing, plus a wide variety of euphemisms for sewage.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Two teens drink and smoke a cigar, patrons on a gambling boat, as well as other adult characters, drink to excess.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Flush

Parents need to know that this is an ends-justify-the-means kind of book: The heroes, young and old, behave recklessly, often stupidly, and at times illegally, but because their intentions are good that's portrayed as admirable. Also, as the main topic is the illegal dumping of sewage, there's a fair amount of potty humor.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about peaceful ways to protect the environment that don't involve illegal action. Do you think the father's actions were justified? What other choices could he have made?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Flush?
  •  I think this book is

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See all 20 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    i liked the book. if anybody has a chapter by chapter summary on it e mail it to me at crl8306@yahoo.com

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  3. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    gross, but interesting

    iffy words and very gross,if you like boggers poop and what else,this is your book. it does have good messages

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    A unique, wonderful novel!

    This is one of my favorite books because it is one of the first novels I've read that actually talks about kids fighting against pollution. It's not that violent apart from where Noah gets beat up by some bullies and when Abby is held by her neck. It has a bad message because Noah and Abby sneak out of the house and lie to their parents. There is some occasional language but not too bad. Drinking is a bad thing in this book. It happens quite often. Other than that, it is a nice read and I hope you read it!

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Amusing.

    Funny, witty book revolving around the evils of pollution. A good read, but somewhat strange.

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