I firmly believed that this book boasted one of the most ingenious opening lines among all YA books.

I couldn't help but read it aloud to my #1 son. To my surprise, as soon as he heard those captivating words, he swiftly snatched the book right out of my hands.

With great enthusiasm, he then delved into the story of Hoot and continued reading with great eagerness.

It was truly a remarkable moment to witness his immediate engagement with the book just because of that brilliant opening line.

I was left amazed at how powerful a well-crafted beginning could be in capturing the attention and interest of a reader, especially a young one like my son.

It made me realize the importance of a strong start in any piece of literature, as it can set the tone and draw the reader in from the very first sentence.

I absolutely loved the premise and the deeper messages that were skillfully woven throughout this book.

The title, in particular, was a real gem as it could be interpreted in a multitude of ways, adding an extra layer of intrigue and depth to the overall reading experience.

What made it even more special was the fact that my students loooooved this read aloud. Their enthusiasm and engagement were palpable as they hung on every word, completely immersed in the story.

It was truly a joy to see them so captivated and to witness the magic of literature unfold before my eyes.

This book has definitely become a favorite in my classroom, and I look forward to sharing it with many more students in the future.

If you are seeking a great and intelligent middle grade book either for yourself or your children, I cannot recommend this book and its other companion novels highly enough.

These novels are centered around kids who are on a mission to save the environment, and they are truly an absolute blast.

Each book showcases a pair of remarkable kids, a wealthy individual who couldn't care less about the planet, and a clever plan to take him down.

I never tire of witnessing the downfall of the rich.

This particular book was simply amazing and has most definitely become a new favorite in the middle grade genre.

It offers engaging storylines, relatable characters, and important messages about environmental conservation, all while providing plenty of entertainment.

Whether you're looking for a book to read alone or to share with your family, these middle grade novels are sure to delight and inspire.

Flush is an interesting book that combines elements of environmentalism and mystery, much like Greenpeace meets CSI.

Essentially, in the story, a boat is illegally dumping its waste into the ocean, and Noah, the main character, takes it upon himself to solve the mystery and figure out who is responsible.

This book has both a political and an environmental agenda, which might seem like a challenging combination to pull off, but in this case, it works extremely well.

Another aspect that I can personally relate to is the dynamic between Noah and his dad. Noah, the kid, is portrayed as rational and calm, while the dad is the unstable one. As a dad myself, I can understand this contrast.

Moreover, the author makes an interesting point about how when we try to focus on one thing (number one), we often end up dealing with a lot of other things (number two). And in this book, it's all about number two, which adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, Flush is a captivating read that manages to blend different themes and ideas in a unique and engaging way.

My children really enjoyed this story.

However, I didn't quite prefer some of the lines in it. For example, the line "Morocco or some place like that" seemed a bit odd and not very specific.

Also, the way the story presented the gender roles was a bit concerning. It said that Mom follows the rules but Dad doesn't, which kind of reinforces the traditional and somewhat limiting gender stereotypes. It made me do a face palm.

I think when creating stories for children, it's important to be more careful about the messages we are sending and to avoid perpetuating such outdated and one-sided views of gender roles. We should strive to present more diverse and equal portrayals to help children develop a more open and inclusive mindset.

Overall, while the children may have liked the story, there are definitely some aspects that could be improved upon to make it more suitable and beneficial for their growth and understanding.

I firmly believe that "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen is an absolutely spectacular story that boasts a highly realistic plot.

When the protagonist, Noah, stumbles upon the fact that a casino boat owner is callously dumping waste into the ocean, he is immediately faced with a daunting task. He must find a way to expose this environmental atrocity and hold the culprit accountable.

The realism of this plot is truly captivating. It makes the reader feel as if they are right there with Noah, experiencing his determination and courage.

I wholeheartedly think that this book is suitable for everyone. It not only entertains but also educates about the importance of protecting our environment.

Whether you are a young adult or an adult, "Flush" is a must-read that will leave you with a lasting impression.

I really liked this book. It truly entertained me with all the exciting events that took place within its pages.

The story began with a boy named Noah Underwood. He lived a relatively easy life in the beautiful Florida Keys with his family. However, everything changed when his dad was suddenly sent to jail. During a visit to the jail, Noah discovered that his father had been imprisoned for sinking a gambling boat called "The Coral Queen." His dad had done this because he had found out that the boat was dumping its sewage into the marine environment. Noah was all for taking down "The Coral Queen" after hearing his dad's story.

Meanwhile, Noah's parents were constantly arguing about his dad's incident with the ship. So, Noah found himself playing the role of a peacemaker between them. By this time, Noah had convinced his sister, Abbey, to help him on the journey that their dad had essentially set him on. Together, they started to investigate "The Coral Queen" and discovered that they were still dumping sewage. They then recruited Lice, their dad's friend who used to work on the boat. But suddenly, Lice went missing.

Lice's girlfriend, Shelly, found out and volunteered to help them by getting a job on the boat. Now, Noah and Abbey did some careful planning. They decided to expose "The Coral Queen" for what it really was. So, they bought a bunch of vials of pink dye. The next day, Shelly sneaked them onto the boat, and they poured every bottle of dye into the toilet system and flushed them down. Finally, the Coast Guard noticed the pink dye mixed in with the sewage that came from "The Coral Queen" and reported them. This led to the boat going out of business. After all this, Noah was able to return to his carefree life with his peaceful family in The Keys.

**3.5 stars**

This is one of Carl Hiaasen's middle-grade books. Just like his adult novels, it tells an entertaining story while also addressing the important topic of environmentalism and conservation in south Florida. The beautiful landscapes of Florida, with its palm trees, colorful flowers, and diverse marine life, serve as the backdrop for this engaging tale.

Eleven-year-old Noah Underwood's dad, Paine Underwood, is a passionate environmentalist who is extremely protective of the Florida Keys, where the family lives. When Paine discovers that Dusty Muleman, the crooked owner of the casino-boat Coral Queen, regularly and illegally dumps the ship's toilet waste into the ocean, he takes matters into his own hands and sinks the ship. This action lands Paine in jail, but it doesn't stop Dusty, who resurrects the boat and continues his illegal activities.
Unfortunately, Paine can't prove his charges against Dusty because the shipowner flushes the waste at night when no one is around. Moreover, Paine refuses to be bailed out of jail until something is done about the pollution, which causes financial problems for the Underwood family and frustrates Noah's mom. Determined to expose Dusty's filthy deeds, Noah and his younger sister Abbey decide to take matters into their own hands.
At their father's suggestion, Noah tries to enlist the help of Lice Peeking, who used to work on the Coral Queen. Lice, a rather unhygienic and untrustworthy guy, knows about the illegal dumping and agrees to help for a high price. However, he proves to be unreliable and scared of Dusty, and doesn't come through.
Undeterred, Abbey takes matters into her own hands and sneaks out of her bedroom window after midnight with a video camera to film Dusty's illegal activities. Although she gets a good vantage point, the video is blurry and can't be used as evidence.
As Noah and Abbey continue to hatch a better plan, they gain an unexpected ally in Lice Peeking's girlfriend Shelly. Shelly, a brassy blonde with a heart of gold, agrees to help take Dusty down by taking a bartender job on the Coral Queen to scope out the boat's layout. Together, the three conspirators come up with a genius plan to expose Dusty's wrongdoing.
While all this is going on, Noah is repeatedly harassed by Dusty's son Jasper Jr. and his cohort Bull, who bully and mistreat him. Noah and Abbey are also in the sights of Dusty's strongman Luno, who poses a serious threat to their safety. Fortunately, a mysterious stranger appears out of nowhere to help the siblings.
In the end, the accomplices carry out their dangerous scheme, which leads to a thrilling conclusion. The story is not only clever and fun, but it also makes a serious point about the importance of preserving the ecosystem. I believe that many readers of all ages would enjoy this book, as it combines adventure, humor, and a valuable message about environmental conservation. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

Cute is a word that describes something or someone that is charming, endearing, and often small or diminutive in size. It can refer to a wide variety of things, such as a baby animal, a child's smile, or a piece of jewelry.

When we think of cute, we often think of something that makes us feel happy and warm inside. It has the power to brighten our day and bring a smile to our face. Cute things can also have a certain innocence and playfulness about them that is very appealing.

Cuteness is not just a physical attribute, but also a personality trait. People who are cute often have a sweet and gentle nature, and they are able to make others feel at ease and comfortable around them. Whether it's a cute pet, a cute outfit, or a cute gesture, there's no denying the power of cute to make us feel good.

In conclusion, cute is a wonderful and versatile word that can describe a wide range of things and people. It has the ability to bring joy and happiness into our lives, and it's something that we should all appreciate and celebrate.

If this is his first foray into the kids genre, then I can somewhat understand its flaws. I don't forgive them, mind you, but I get it. However, if this isn't his first kids' book, then he really dropped the ball on this one. His crassness is completely unnecessary, and his handling of serious topics like murder and alcoholism was rather clumsy. The other two books of his that I've read were better. If you're a kid and have an intense love for Hiaasen, then I suppose you can go ahead and read this, but don't make it your first.

A boy and his sister are determined to prove that a casino boat is dumping sewage into the bay. Their father is in jail because he sank the boat to stop them, but they're not giving up. Like all of Hiaasen's kids' books, the boy is being bullied and has to find the courage to stand up to his tormentor. A beer-drinking, tattooed woman comes to their aid, even though she believes her alcoholic boyfriend was murdered and has a bit of a grudge against men. She says some rather strange things to the boy about it.

This entire book had me constantly wondering why the author was doing certain things.

It's aimed at boys and girls in third and fourth grade who are looking for a realistic mystery set in Florida and, oddly enough, centered around the topic of poo.

Hodně nostalgické. It really brings back a lot of memories.

Rozhodně by to v dnešní době ekologické asi už nevyšlo. Certainly, in today's ecological context, it might not be possible. However, ve své době to byla úderná knížka o životním prostředí napsaná tak aby zaručeně zaujala druhostupňáky. In its time, it was a striking book about the environment written in such a way that it would surely attract secondary school students.

Jen jsem si nepamatovala jak špatně na tom ten jejich taťka byl. I just didn't remember how bad their father was in that. It's interesting to look back and realize the different perspectives and details that one might have overlooked or forgotten over time. This book seems to have had a significant impact in its era, and even though it may not be as relevant in the same way today, it still holds a certain charm and historical value.

This book was an extremely boring one. It lacked any sort of exciting action. The characters seemed to do nothing but focus on trying to stop a casino boat. In this vast and wonderful world, there are countless way more productive and interesting things to engage in. I truly hated this book. It failed to capture my attention and held no appeal for me. I would never bother to read it again.

It's a disappointment that such a book exists. It could have been so much better if it had more engaging plotlines and dynamic characters. Instead, it just felt like a waste of time.

Maybe others might find something redeeming in it, but for me, it was a total flop. I'll be sure to avoid similar books in the future.