Flush (by Carl Hiaasen)

common sense media says

Teens fight polluting casino boat owner.


parents & educators say
  • 71% say language is an issue
  • 57% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

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.

Positive messages: The heroes, young and old, behave recklessly, often stupidly, and at
times illegally, but because their intentions are good that's portrayed
as admirable.
Positive role models: 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 applicable.
Language: Moderate swearing, plus a wide variety of euphemisms for sewage.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Two teens drink and smoke a cigar, patrons on a gambling boat, as well as other adult characters, drink to excess.

More on Flush

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication date: September 25, 2005
Number of pages: 263
Hardcover price: $16.95
Paperback price: $8.99
Read Aloud: 10
Read Alone: 11

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 71% say language is an issue
  • 57% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 43% say violence is an issue
  • 29% say they noticed product placement

Most useful reviews by all members

biotch
parent
 
good for young adults 13-21
that it is not something that you would wwant a 10 year old to read

genny love ya
teen, 16 years old
 
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

ily1234
adult
 
Flush
Flush is a great book with some crude humor. suggested for children 11+. some violence. gives a good message.

Ishta
parent of 4 and 7 year old
 
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.

poop1111121111
parent of 17 year old
 
For any age
Love it!

Joshsgirlll
parent of 12 year old
 
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!

Maddie1012345
parent of 17 and 17 year old
 
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 :(

HiaK123
teen, 18 years old
 
Good for kids who are mature and responsible for their actions

ltm
teen, 14 years old
 
horribbllee!!!!
horrible and very bad for kids under 16

hulagal
teen, 15 years old
 
Great Message
I love this book because it's about these two kids that notice that this man, who owns a casino boat, is dumping wastes into the ocean. They try their hardest to show the town what this man is doing. TO find out the rest... read the book!

cheerlover
teen, 14 years old
 
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.!

mariyah
kid, 12 years old
 
The Best Book I Have EVER Read.
the book was the best book I have EVER read in whole intire live.

Chickenbox123
teen, 15 years old
 
Take it from someone who it was meant for- a kid.
I soon got bored with he book and found it to be a little weird. Also they ct as if some of the major things in the book were nothing, which makes it unrelistic.it looks ok though for those who candeal with that and ike mystery and a little comedy.

ice98cream
teen, 13 years old
 
read it !!!!!!
i luv it

Serious Mom
teen, 14 years old
 
Good for teens or mature kids.
This book is good but it has some languages that kids shouldn't be reading. This book is good because it's showing people caring for the environment.

LimeLite77
kid, 13 years old
 
Great book
Love the book but too much drinking!

cookiemonster0116
kid, 13 years old
 
Great book!
Its a great book, and written by a great writer. Its about a guy who is doing something illegal. And there Dad is in jail for trying to fix it, now its up to Noah and Abbey.

alexabca
kid, 11 years old
 
flush
this is a really good book and i suggest your child to read it

Mittens09
teen, 14 years old
 
Only for 10+ it would be better.
I enjoy this book, yet It has language some kids may not be able to say, nothing to big but your children may be able to handle it.

 
I Loved it 5 stars in my book

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