This is an amazing book. It has the power to transport you to different worlds and introduce you to a plethora of unique characters. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly eager to turn the next page. The author's writing style is engaging and vivid, painting a clear picture in your mind's eye. Whether you're a fan of adventure, romance, mystery, or any other genre, this book has something for everyone. It's not just a book, but an experience that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. So, if you're looking for a great read, look no further than this amazing book.

I have always had a profound interest in the environment and the way people wreak havoc on it. Since childhood, I would formulate my own ideas and theories regarding why people behaved the way they did. Even though each theory was rather inaccurate and childish, I still take pleasure in observing the chaos that humans bring to the world and the contrast between those who exacerbate the situation and those who strive to assist.

I promptly headed to the library in search of an interesting book. I scoured the shelves, examining numerous books, attempting to avoid both slow-paced reads and overly fast ones, and aiming to discover something captivating to dedicate to this month's reading. Before long, I found a book with an engaging summary of a seemingly interesting story that piqued my interest. When I turned to read the cover, to my astonishment, it was titled “Flush” with a rather basic cover. This extensive story is how I came to read a book with such a simple title.

“Flush” follows a young boy and his father after the father commits an act of vandalism in the name of environmental health. It is filled with twists and turns, shocks, and yet, it doesn't feel overly dramatic. Its overall commentary on the environment is fascinating, accompanied by a compelling story. The book's setting is highly believable as a messy and dangerous town in Florida, with filthy beaches and a less than honest population. The father serves as the main troublemaker, but in reality, he is right about everything. After the son believes his father, he goes on to prove that his father was correct. I wholeheartedly recommend and thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I picked it up.

4.5 stars

Another delightful story that is set in my neck of the woods.

This review and similar ones can be found at Lazy Day Literature

Noah Underwood's father, Paine, has landed in jail for sinking a casino boat. He firmly believes that the boat is dumping raw sewage into the harbor. However, Paine failed to get evidence before taking action. Now, before they know it, the boat is fixed and back in operation. Knowing that their father is telling the truth, Noah and his younger sister, Abby, decide to take matters into their own hands. They attempt to catch Dusty Muleman and his thugs in the act. But they soon realize that the truth is not easy to come by. Obtaining it might require many risks and a very clever plan.

This is my second Hiaasen novel, and I'm truly beginning to appreciate him as an author. His settings are all in my small, unique corner of the world, so reading this book made me feel really nostalgic. Similarly, it was written in 'my' time. Back then, kids used to ride bicycles or walk all over town and find plenty of things to do outside with their friends and siblings, instead of sitting inside alone. I have to admit that this aspect is a bit outdated. Kids nowadays would probably wonder why Noah and Abby didn't just use technology to expose the crooks. After all, we have convenient smartphones these days.

I like that Hiaasen's books always seem to revolve around conservation and environmental issues. As a fellow Floridian, this makes a lot of sense to me, and it's still quite relevant today. These were the kinds of books I needed as a teenager growing up here. They are written for middle-grade readers, so they are the perfect type of book to teach young adults about the world around them and some of the more 'adult' aspects within it.

I already have 'Hoot' and 'Nature Girl' on my to-be-read pile, and I plan to read them soon. So, stay tuned for more reviews!

This book truly offers readers profound insights into the flaws and issues present in the real world.

The characters within the story are vividly portrayed, expressing a wide range of emotions that effectively bind the entire narrative together. Each character has a distinct and essential role to play.

There are some characters that readers will undoubtedly love, while others they will despise. For instance, Dusty and his son are characters that evoke a love-hate relationship.

One can't help but feel sympathy for the father and come to the realization that he is, in fact, completely sane.

This complex web of characters and their interactions makes the book a captivating and thought-provoking read, allowing readers to explore the depths of human nature and the realities of the world we live in.

It forces us to confront our own emotions and biases, and in doing so, gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a meaningful and engaging literary experience.

FLUSH: An Example of What Every Book Should Include

I simply can't resist. Every time I pick up a book, I find myself analyzing how the author manages to create an engaging story for young readers. How do they blend together the various elements to make it a captivating read?

My recent discovery, FLUSH by Carl Hiaasen, is a prime example of such a book. It begins with a powerful hook that immediately grabs the reader's attention. The deputy tells the protagonist to empty his pockets, revealing a meager collection of items. And then, the exchange between the protagonist and his father on Father's Day leaves you eager to know more.

The characters in FLUSH are truly memorable. Paine Underwood, jailed for his attempt to stop a floating casino from polluting the Florida Keys, is a determined crusader. His son, Noah, wholeheartedly supports him, even when his father wavers. Abbey, Noah's tough younger sister, adds a touch of spunk. And Donna, Paine's wife, struggles with her feelings towards her husband's crusades.

The antagonists, Dusty Muleman and his bully son Jasper Jr., are characters that readers love to hate. Their greed and unscrupulous behavior make them the perfect foils for the Underwood family.

In addition to the main characters, there are also some interesting minor characters. Shelley, the bartender with an attitude, and Grandpa Bobby, the mistaken pirate, add depth and color to the story.

The conflict in FLUSH is multi-faceted, encompassing man vs. nature, man vs. man, man vs. self, and man vs. a machine. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the book.

And finally, the book has a great ending where the main character solves the problem. But for that, you'll have to read the book for yourself.

Happy Reading...and oh yes, don't forget to FLUSH!

2/5 stars

I have to say that I did not have a positive experience with this book.

The main reason for my dissatisfaction was that it was far too predictable and overly easy.

From the very beginning, I could anticipate almost every plot twist and turn, which made the reading experience rather dull.

I simply did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped.

xoxo,
Bebe

However, I am now going to give "Hoot" a try.

Although I have my doubts and am probably not going to like it either, I am willing to give it a chance.

Maybe it will surprise me and prove to be a better read than the previous one.

Only time will tell.

3.5 star

I Dnf (Did Not Finish) at page 234. The main problem of the story was solved at that point, and I simply didn't have the inclination to stay with it any longer. Interestingly, the grandpa in the story seemed to be in agreement with me too.

It's an OK book, but there are some notable problems with it. There was a distinct lack of description. You have to turn several pages to find that teeny tiny font of a summary, and I have to say I was really disappointed. Literally, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started reading.

Another aspect that really bothered me was the supposed humor. The reviews kept raving about this being a humorous book. But I just don't see how bumping, tripping over, or any sort of clumsiness can be considered even a smidgeon of 'funny'. If that's what passes for humor, I would much rather watch a Gags show.

Overall, it's really low on the wow factor. I can't really recommend it to others.

This is the fourth Carl Hiaasen book that I have read together with my currently 9-year-old son. We have read "Hoot", "Chomp", "Squirm", and now "Flush".

Unfortunately, we rated this one the lowest among them. It had just a bit less of that exciting, edge-of-your-seat action compared to the others.

All of these books feature a male protagonist who is around 12 years old, a bully, perhaps a sibling, a somewhat absent parent, a villain who is doing something bad to the earth or animals, a backdrop set in Florida, and sometimes Montana, along with some truly jaw-dropping action scenes.

It is great fun to read for middle grade readers! However, it should be noted that there is usually reference to drinking, smoking, and cussing.

"Flush" was written 20 years ago in 2025, so there is not much reference to technology. Instead, there is a big focus on newspapers, news stations, and so on. We also learned a lot of boating and fishing vocabulary.

We liked this book, but so far, "Chomp" remains our favorite by this author.

I have read "Flush" multiple times, and I still have a deep affection for this book.

The detail in it is truly remarkable. Once you reach the second or third chapter, the story just keeps getting better and better.

I particularly love the moments when Jasper attempts to do something bad and then karma catches up with him. It's really quite funny and adds a touch of lightheartedness to the narrative.

Reading this book before I go to sleep has become a wonderful routine for me. It's so engaging and enjoyable that it helps me unwind and relax.

Sorry for the spoilers, but I just couldn't help sharing my love for this amazing book.

I would highly recommend "Flush" to anyone who enjoys a good story filled with interesting characters and a touch of humor.

It's a book that will keep you entertained from start to finish and leave you with a smile on your face.

I truly appreciate the remarkable way in which Hiaasen constructs a captivating and highly readable story.

He masterfully weaves together elements of action and mystery, all while centering the narrative around crucial environmental issues.

This not only makes the story engaging but also raises awareness about important real-world concerns.

Moreover, I have a deep affection for the characters he creates to inhabit the story.

He infuses them with such vivid life that they seem to leap off the pages.

However, my one minor criticism is that the antagonists are often portrayed in an almost cartoonishly bad light.

Dusty Muleman is a prime example of this, as is his brutish and oafish son.

While this may add a certain element of drama and simplicity to the story, it can sometimes feel a bit one-dimensional.

Nonetheless, despite this small flaw, Hiaasen's work remains highly enjoyable and thought-provoking.

On Father's Day, Noah makes a visit to his dad, Paine Underwood, who is incarcerated. Paine is in jail because he sank the casino boat called Coral Queen. The owner of the boat, Dusty Muleman, dumps waste from the casino boat's toilets into the ocean, polluting the water in the bay and poisoning it. Paine is a passionate environmentalist who sometimes gets carried away. Noah's mom is really tired of it. Paine hasn't been able to get the local coast guard to notice what Dusty is doing, so he asks Noah to continue the fight against Dusty and end the illegal dumping. Noah and his younger sister Abbey attempt to find proof of the crime on their own, but they risk being captured by Dusty's thug, Luno, as well as facing bullying from Dusty's son Jasper and his friend Bull. Eventually, Noah and Abbey receive help from a bartender named Shelly and a former mate on the Coral Queen named Lice. Also, Noah's missing grandfather shows up to assist them. To catch Dusty, Noah devises a plan to put food coloring down the toilets on the Coral Queen. So, when Dusty dumps the waste at night, the coast guard is finally able to trace it back to the source, which is the Coral Queen. However, the only consequence for Dusty is a small fine, and he reopens his casino boat. Later, Jasper and Bull accidentally start a fire that burns down the Coral Queen and exposes evidence of Dusty's illegal money and tax evasion. The literary device I chose is loyalty. This book truly showcases loyalty as Noah remains loyal to his father despite facing numerous challenges in trying to expose Dusty. His mom threatens to leave, but Noah never gives up for his father. I didn't really enjoy this book. It wasn't very suspenseful, and I was bored with it at times. I believe the author could have done a better job of keeping the reader engaged.

You might approach ‘Flush’ with two preconceived notions.

Carl Hiaasen is renowned for penning adult thrillers with a satirical undertone, frequently featuring characters from the lower end of the social spectrum, like those from trailer parks. Consequently, it seems probable that his children’s books would retain some of that edginess.

Moreover, both his adult thrillers and books for younger readers often center around environmentalism. So, it’s reasonable to assume that ‘Flush’ would also focus on such an issue.

As it turns out, your preconceptions would be proven correct.

The tone of ‘Flush’ is indeed sardonic. It introduces a bartender named Shelly who saves the day. She has a barbed-wire tattoo around one of her biceps, wears stockings that resemble those made from a mullet net, and actually resides in a trailer park. Certainly not your typical children’s book character.

The story revolves around a kid’s struggle to assist his father in preventing a casino boat owner from dumping raw sewage in Florida’s coastal waters. At times, the message can seem a bit heavy-handed. The antagonists lack complexity and have no redeeming social value.

However, there is more to ‘Flush’ than meets the eye. Without making a fuss about it, Hiaasen crafts his likable 14-year-old protagonist, Noah, as an accomplished naturalist. Noah knows the names of the plants and animals that inhabit the Florida Keys where he lives. And by that, I mean he truly knows them, not just in a rote memorization kind of way. Noah pays close attention to his surroundings when he’s outdoors and notices the details of what he sees.

In our modern culture, where kids often suffer from what Richard Louv termed ‘nature-deficit disorder’ in his book ‘Last Child in the Woods,’ Noah serves as a great role model.

Although Noah isn’t afraid to take risks, he is a highly practical individual, unlike his hot-headed father. Noah inherits his practicality from his mother. She married her impulsive husband out of love, but he goes a bit too far in his fight to keep the ocean clean. ‘Flush’ features a charming subplot where Noah and his stubbornly righteous little sister, Abbey, work together to save their parents’ marriage.

This subplot, along with Noah’s keen eye for nature, combines with the colorful characters and a healthy dose of action and suspense to endear ‘Flush’ to readers. I haven’t encountered a middle schooler who has read it and wasn’t enthusiastic about the experience. Now, I am too. It’s a delightful little chapter book.

Recommended for fourth graders and above.