Flush - A Book By Carl Hiaasen For Young Readers

ABOVE: New York Times Best Seller, FLUSH by Carl Hiaasen; 272 pages.

Flush is everything a long-time Carl Hiaasen reader would expect, perfectly toned-down for a younger audience. It has all the mystery, suspense, and subterfuge of Hiaasen’s other novels, with a little more of what teens might like.

The protagonist, Noah Underwood, is a young teenager living with his family in the Florida Keys. Although the novel focuses on that area, there are many references to Miami throughout, like when Noah’s parents meet at the Dade county courthouse and marry 6 weeks later. Noah’s father, Paine Underwood, is an adamant environmentalist with impulse-control problems. When he suspects a casino boat is pouring sewage directly into the pristine local waters, Paine sneaks in and sinks the vessel. He is taken to jail, leaving Noah, and his sister Abbey, to try and prove that the casino boat owner is the one polluting beaches and killing wildlife.

As usual, there are some shady characters, like Lice Peeking, so named because of his aversion to showers. He turns out to be a pretty good guy, helping the kids get on the boat and get information with the help of his bartender girlfriend Shelly.

There is also the casino boat muscle, a scar-faced man named Luno, who attempts repeatedly to kidnap Noah and Abbey, and a bully, Jasper Jr. Jasper’s dad owns The Coral Queen casino boat and he has a personal grudge against Noah after it sinks. He ambushes and beats on Noah every chance he gets. Although he has personal reasons for beating on Noah, Jasper Jr. represents what many teens face, and readers will be able to identify with Noah’s situation and his reactions.

Hiassen frequently showcases South Florida wildlife, as in scenes where Noah saves a scum-covered sea turtle, or bumps straight into a manatee. He fishes constantly throughout the book and the reader hears about snapper, tarpon, needlefish, blue crab, and many others which, of course, he usually throws back.

Young readers will quickly come to like Noah and his spunky sister Abbey. The two deal with bullying, school, and the possibility of their parents’ divorce, all while solving an important mystery. This is a clever, well-written young adult novel that will encourage a new generation of Florida environmentalists.

Related Links: • Write a Carl Hiaasen Book Review - Earn $100! • Carl Hiaasen's Official Web Site Related Categories: Kristi is a lifelong Floridian new to Miami Beach. She graduated from the University of Florida where she studied Photojournalism and English. She is now a middle school teacher who enjoys exploring Miami, photographing the sights, and reading in her spare time. See more articles by SoBeKristi. See more articles by SoBeKristi Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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