Flush

by Carl Hiaasen

book data

3,404 ratings, 3.86 average rating, 555 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		29%
4		36%
3		27%
2		5%
1		1%

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published

by Corgi Childrens (first published September 13th 2005)

details

Paperback, 304 pages

isbn

0552553565 (isbn13: 9780552553568)

description

With their father jailed for sinking a river boat, Noah Underwood and his younger sister, Abbey, must gather evidence that the owner of this floating …more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 4,507)

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Mar 15, 2008

Lauren rated it:

(review of isbn 0375841857)

recommends it for: anyone

Flush is a very good book it shows what people could risk for animals and nature. The boy in this book has a Dad that has been in jail many times when he was trying to protect wildlife. Wach him take a step while his dad is in jail and to prove that his dad is right.

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Nov 25, 2008

Emi rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in November, 2008

This book was so good. I really like this athor and I am now reading one of his other books, Hoot. I like how he sets up the paraguaphs and stuff. I've been to Floridia twice and Carl Hiaasen loved to write about it. It is really pretty. I know it isnt real, but how could someond dump poop in the ocean? It is just so cruel to all the animals that live in the ocean.

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Feb 26, 2009

Valerie rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

bookshelves: because-its-the-right-thing-to-do, for-the-boys

Read in January, 2005

recommends it for: Ian

I thought this book had one of the most brilliant opening lines of any YA book. I read it aloud to #1 son, and he snatched the book from my hands and proceeded through Hoot as well.

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Mar 29, 2009

Josie rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

bookshelves: children-s-lit

Read in March, 2009

Flush
By Carl Hiaasen
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
2005
Fiction

Carl Hiaasen has written a wonderful novel for the environmentally aware middle schooler. Filled with themes of family, standing up for what you believe in, loyalty and environmental protection, Flush will capture the attention of incoming sixth graders. The characters that Hiaasen develops are extremely easy to like and hate and they invite the reader to become even more involved with the story.
...more Flush
By Carl Hiaasen
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
2005
Fiction

Carl Hiaasen has written a wonderful novel for the environmentally aware middle schooler. Filled with themes of family, standing up for what you believe in, loyalty and environmental protection, Flush will capture the attention of incoming sixth graders. The characters that Hiaasen develops are extremely easy to like and hate and they invite the reader to become even more involved with the story.
One is immediately thrown into the plot as soon as the book begins, which raises several questions. What happened? Why is Noah's father in jail and why is Noah so calm and pulled together? What is going on with this family? Hiaasen does not leave questions unanswered for long and lets the reader in on the action in the Underwood family. Set in Key West, Flush focuses on the alleged dumping of waste directly into the water by a corrupt businessman. Noah's dad sank the boat to draw attention to this criminal behavior, but ended up becoming a criminal himself. With the help of his sister Abbey and a bartender named Shelley, Noah sets out to clear his father's name and expose Dusty Muleman for polluting the waters children swim in. After several run ins with the local bullies, failed schemes, an unknown pirate and a supposed murder, Noah and Abbey come up with a plan. Not only are they trying to catch the polluter in the act, but they are also dealing with issues at home, mainly a potential divorce. Their plan isn't foolproof, so the reader must keep reading to see if Noah and his sister are successful.
The book kept a very nice pace of action going up until the very end. After a satisfying resolution for the reader, it appears the author is still unsatisfied and writes a few more chapters. The very end of the novel ties everything into a neat little package and due to the trouble the Underwood kids kept getting into, this didn't seem like it would ever happen. It was nice see everything come together in the end, though it could have happened two fewer chapters.
The novel takes place over the end of summer vacation, making it a good read before school starts. Abbey and Noah have a realistic brother and sister relationship and parent issues that many kids will be able to relate too. While Noah loves his dad and stands up for him, he can't help but feel a tiny bit embarrassed over his erratic behavior. The family sticks together though, through good and bad, sending a positive message. Kids will also be able to relate with the bullying that Noah undergoes. He takes it and doesn't fight back with his fists. Overall, this is an enjoyable summer read with good action, some unexpected twists and positive messages that make it a worthwhile read.(less)

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Oct 10, 2009

Lisa rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in September, 2009

Flush came to my attention because a professor at the community college where I work was looking for a novel that dealt with the environment, but that would not be too difficult for some of his low-level readers. Although I had not read it at the time, we decided that the reviews made Flush sound like the right book for the job. The novel follows two teens, Noah and Abby, who are trying to expose a casino boat owner who they believe is dumping the casino's septic waste into the local beach to ...more

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May 27, 2009

Sally rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Think about that your father is in jail. What would you feel about it and do? Noah and Abbey’s father is in jail for sinking casino boat. He has no proof to prove that he didn’t and owner of the casino boat, Muleman, denies him. And the worst thing is Noah’s mother is going to divorce. So Noah and Abbey are really confused with their feelings and everything is depending on Noah and Abbey. But everyone is not welcoming Noah and Abbey because they are mad at their father. Fortunately, there ...more

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Apr 14, 2009

Linnae rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

bookshelves: juvenile

Read in April, 2009

Noah's dad is certain that the casino boat out in the marina is dumping its wastewater directly overboard. In fact, he so sure of it that he sunk it and stayed around until he got caught, so that the story would come out in the open. He's staying in jail until justice is done. Unfortunately, the boat is shortly brought back up to the surface (the water wasn't very deep, after all,) and is soon back in business. They've never been caught, and the casino owner is denying all allegations. Noah'...more

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Mar 01, 2010

Benjamin705 rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in March, 2010

Reading Response

What really is legal? Somebody catches you in the act and you probably won’t get arrested (if that someone is a normal person)
Noah’s dad saw the owner of a big ship casino dumping toilet waste into the river. Nobody did anything about it because nobody saw him whilst he was doing it.

I have been in situations where I have seen something but I cannot do anything. It’s like if you see something it does not matter. Then what if it is illegal
...more

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Feb 05, 2010

Io705 rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in February, 2010

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Isn't funny what people will do for money? They're so willing to make some fast money that they will hurt or break anything that gets in their way. But, how could someone do that? Like- don't they feel guilt, or anger?

I don't think that they do. I think that some people don't mind hurting our world. Like, somehow they got away from guilt. They blocked it out.

Dusty doesn't seem to mind that he's hurting others. He is immune to all that pain. I think that somehow he built ...more Isn't funny what people will do for money? They're so willing to make some fast money that they will hurt or break anything that gets in their way. But, how could someone do that? Like- don't they feel guilt, or anger?

I don't think that they do. I think that some people don't mind hurting our world. Like, somehow they got away from guilt. They blocked it out.

Dusty doesn't seem to mind that he's hurting others. He is immune to all that pain. I think that somehow he built up a wall around himself, but I don't think he could of done it alone. I mean you don't just wake up one morning and say, I feel like building a wall around myself so no one can hurt me. I feel like blocking my feelings out and becoming a criminal! I think that Dusty became so cold because someone hurt him so much, that he decided to retreat to his own dark place. Where no one could hurt him, because he wouldn't be bothered by it.

I think that this can happen to anyone. I think that if someone hurts you enough, even by accident you start to think that everyone is like that, harsh and mean. You start to not care that you're hurting someone because you figure, they hurt me, I'm just giving them a taste of their own medicine But, the thing is. We do sort-of deserve it.

I mean, look at the world today. So many people put others down for no good reason. T.V.'s tell you you're too fat, you're too ugly, you're too stupid, your breasts aren't big enough, your hairs not luxerious enough, you suck! People put other people down. So, I'm not surprised that everyone retreats and becomes cold-blooded.

I think that we need to realize that even if someone hurts us, or everyone, even if the world deserves to be punished, we can't take it out on the people. People don't realize that they've been hurting you. Instead of punishing the world maybe we could try to fix things.

Like how, instead of burning or sinking the Coral Queen, Noah had to fix things, in a way that would show people the truth without hurting others. Maybe we can all look at Noah as and example. If we all can just let down our walls, maybe we could actually solve our problems, instead of just making more.

But, no one said it was going to be easy.(less)

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Feb 17, 2010

Andy Lee rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in February, 2010

Sort of a slow starting book, but the writing is exquisite. The description of living on an island on the Florida Keys is done perfectly. Through the keen perspective of our hero Noah, it is easy to see how a even a teenager living on a pristine tropical island can appreciate the natural beauty of such a place, which in turn creates an admiration for such a place and such people. Not only that, there is a strong tone of reverence in the writing when it comes to the physical beauty of the setti...more

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Aug 14, 2009

Sarah rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

bookshelves: teen-nature

Read in August, 2009

recommends it for: tweens, teens, adults

Hiaasen has been on my to read list for sometime, particularly with all the buzz about Hoot. Flush, his latest ecological escapade happened to be on the shelf when I was looking for a new audio book, and I was not disappointed. Well read by Michael Welsh, the teenage voice rings true in both acting and text. Flush follows Noah Underwood and his sister Abby, as they try to vindicate their father's claims that a gambling ship is illegally polluting the waters off the Florida Keys, while also na...more

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Jan 28, 2010

Mariyah rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Flush
Written by: Carl Hiaasen
Review by: Mariyah Barnes

In the book Flush, Noah's dad Paine, goes to jail for sinking the Coral Reef, which is a casino boat. Paine tells Noah and his sister Abbey that the boat owner, Dusty was dumping waste into the lake waters, but the police officers didn't believe him. Paine tried to get proof for himself and that was how he ended up in jail in the first place.
So Abbey and Noah try to get Paine out of jail and get his case dis...more

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Oct 22, 2009

Jackie rated it:

(review of isbn 0307280705)

bookshelves: bullies, criminals, ecology, humor, ya-fiction

Read in October, 2009

Noah Underwood, and his little sister Abbey, attempt to go undercover (with the aid of a few quirky characters) and finish the job his father started when he sunk a gambling boat off Florida's coast. Why would his father do such a thing? Because he is passionate about the health and ecology of the waters and is incensed when someone deliberately ignores the laws to make his life easier. Dusty Muleman, owner of the Coral Queen casino boat has been dumping waste (human waste, that is) into the pri...more

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Aug 19, 2009

Lori rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

bookshelves: 2009august

Read in August, 2009

As the parent of a not-yet tween, I'm sure I have loads of awkward conversations ahead. But it's just a little funny that Hiaasen gave me a glimpse at them now.

Even though the books are labeled "teen," I've been letting my 8-year-old read his YA novels. They're very similar to his adult ones -- slightly obsessed good guy tries to stop bad guy who is hurting Florida's ecosystem -- with less cursing and sex. (Emma did warn me, in advance, that Flush used the "a" wor...more

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Jun 30, 2009

Paige Y. rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

bookshelves: bob-2009-2010, z-2009-books-read, z-2009-ya-fiction

Read in July, 2009

Noah Underwood’s father, Paine, has gotten into trouble before but this time takes the cake. Paine is certain that the owner of a floating casino is flushing his toilets directly into the water, polluting the marina and nearby beaches. He cannot prove anything because the owner, Dusty Muleman, seems to have an inside source that tips him off whenever the Coast Guard is about to have an unannounced inspection. Paine decides to take matters into his own hands by sinking the casino. He’s pr...more

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Mar 02, 2009

Carrie rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in March, 2009

This is an exciting adventure/mystery set in Florida. Noah and his sister Abbey try to save the bay from nasty ongoing contamination (someone's pumping "poop" into the bay!), catch the polluter, and save their dad from himself. I've never been to Florida, but Hiaasen's vivid description of the scenery and life made it easy to picture. The book has everything an adventure book needs - a villian, a bully, scary situations, two courageous kids trying to set things right, and humor - the...more

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Apr 03, 2009

Ophelie rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in April, 2009

This is a great book. It is a quick read and is entertaining, fun, and unpredictable.
A boy named Noah and a girl named Abbey are siblings and there father, Paine, starts out in jail because he went to far with his feelings. All he was doing was standing up for something he believed in but he took it a little to far this time. Dusty Muleman, a casino boat owner, accorrding to Paine was dumping all his sewage (toilet stuff) straight into the ocean blue. It was contaimenating the wa...more

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Jun 08, 2009

Stephany rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in June, 2009

When Noah Underwood's father is sent to prison for sinking a casino boat that he believes to be dumping waste tanks into the ocean, Noah decides to help his father prove his suspicions. Noah and his siter, Abbey, get into all kinds of trouble as they attempt to prove that their father is sane and telling the truth, while keeping the owner of the boat from polluting the ocean around their home in the Florida Keys.

I really enjoyed this book because it was filled with action and suspense. Noa...more

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Feb 28, 2008

GaBBy added it (review of isbn 0375841857)

this book was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good

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Feb 12, 2010

EAJarosz rated it:

(review of isbn 0375821821)

Read in February, 2010

Summary: Noah and Abby's Dad gets arrested for sinking a casino ship that dumps their "human waste" into the nearby ocean.

Passage: " Dad edged closer to Mom, and she leaned against his shoulder. Abbey was kneeling in the bow, aimming her camera as the last molten slice of light dripped out of sight. I sat there dangling my feet in the ripples, watching the day fade away. I was hoping that wherever he might be, Grandpa Bobby was enjoying the same sunset. When the flas...more

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