 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Flush
- By Carl Hiaasen
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Teens fight polluting casino boat owner.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Noah and Abbey's father is in jail for sinking a casino boat that he claims has been dumping raw sewage into the waters near their home in the Florida keys. He has no proof, the owner of the boat denies it, and everyone in town thinks he's a crackpot. Their mother is going to divorce him unless he shapes up and gets his anger and impulsive behavior under control. So it's up to Noah and Abbey to prove that their father was right.
But with everyone mad at their father, hired goons guarding the refloated boat, members of local law enforcement paid off by the owner, and the owner's son beating up on Noah, getting that proof looks well-nigh impossible. That is, until Noah comes up with a plan that involves a tattooed barmaid, a stolen motorboat, and thirty-four bottles of fuschia food coloring.
Is it any good?
There are holes in this plot big enough to float a casino boat through, starting with why the owner is so determined to dump his bilges, thereby polluting the beach his own son swims in, instead of pumping them into a sewer tank. He says it's because the owner is a cheapskate, but it has to cost less than his hired goons, not to mention renovating his boat and paying $10,000 in fines. But Carl Hiaasen is on a soapbox here, and logic or other points of view aren't going to get in his way -- bad guys are bad guys, for no apparent reason, and good guys can lie, steal, and vandalize, as long as their hearts are in the right place.
That's not to say that there isn't any fun to be had here. FLUSH has some aspects of a mystery and some of a caper novel, action, humor, a bit of suspense, and some interesting characters. The resolution is unlikely, and there are some whopping coincidences, but if you try not to think too hard it rolls along nicely and passes the time, much like a Hardy Boys book with potty humor.
What 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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AGE
Good for kids who are mature and responsible for their actions
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AGE
good for young adults 13-21
that it is not something that you would wwant a 10 year old to read
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AGE
This book deals with the complexity of behavior that we often find in real life. It is a good conversation starter for children who are old enough and mature enough to start to think about the gray areas in terms of good vs bad. While the role models are by and large not positive, their behavior is a good starting point for a conversation with children about how better to handle the situations that the characters find themselves in. Read it with your kids.
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AGE
well the book was ok and funny but for 12 and 13 it was baby ish for meeeeeeeee alotttt n i am 14 sooo good luck
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AGE
Flush
Flush is a great book with some crude humor. suggested for children 11+. some violence. gives a good message.
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AGE
Its ok i wud recomend it to kids that love action and ways to get out of conflicts BUT NO FOR CHILDREN UNDER 10 And if you dont like your kids to be around tobacco or any use of achol this book gives them the wrond idea so i wudnt recommend it then
:(
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AGE
Suckishh
I hate it! It did not keep me hooked the entire time I was reading..I would never recommend this book to anyone who wanted a good book. There is too much confusion and the book was just plain awful...NEVER READ THIS BOOK!
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AGE
horribbllee!!!!
horrible and very bad for kids under 16
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AGE
Best Book Ever.!
Love it.!
Best book ever.! I cant wait to read Hoot.!
It was really good.! I never wanted to put the book down.!
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| Author: | Carl Hiaasen |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date: | September 25, 2005 |
| Number of pages: | 263 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.95 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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