Flush

Module 7
March 1 – 7

Flush
By Carl Hiaasen

Hiaasen, Carl. Flush. 2005. Alfred P. Knopf. ISBN: 0375841857

Synopsis
Noah and Abbey Underwood are brother and sister, but their father, Paine, can get carried away. Paine really got carried away this time. Their father sunk a gambling boat because he suspected it was unlawfully dumping its waste in the Florida Keys rather than disposing of it. When Paine insists on staying in jail to support his cause and their mother begins to discuss divorce, Noah and Abbey decide that the solution to the problem is up to them. Noah and Abbey put food coloring in the sewage system of the boat. When the boat dumps its contents illegally, there is literally a trail that leads back to Dusty Muleman’s gambling boat. Their father is justified, and they are the very silent heroes of the town.

My View of the World:
This is a very interesting book that explores the family relationships of the Underwood family and the environmental impact of dumping human waste in the Florida Keys. Most likely, this book will at the very least lead to a concern for the environment. The characters are very endearing and the irony is hilarious. This will very much be a favorite for many readers.

Book Reviews:
In Flush, … Carl Hiaasen's ecological concerns focus on illegal dumping of raw sewage from a floating casino. Noah Underwood's dad has sunk the gambling ship, the Coal Queen, in protest. Now the elder Underwood is launching a media campaign from his jail cell to raise public awareness since the sewage-spewing ship will soon be back in operation. Though Noah and his younger sister Abbey believe in their father's cause, they also fear their mother will file for divorce if he continues to react so outrageously to environmental issues. After a few false starts and run-ins with the casino owner's son and the ship's hired goon, the siblings come up with a plan to use food coloring to expose the hazardous dumping. Working with Shelly, the casino's bartender, and aided by a mysterious white-haired man, Noah and Abbey set their trap, but end up adrift off the Florida Keys. Rescue and an unexpected family reunion make their successful exposure of the corrupt casino owner even sweeter. It takes a few more plot twists before the Coral Queen is closed forever, and by then Noah's parents have learned better ways to manage their marital problems. Michael Welch's narration neatly balances the protagonist's earnest youthfulness with the story's humor. In the manner of Hoot (Knopf, 2002), Hiaasen's award-winning first foray into young adult novels, Flush deals with serious ecological and personal issues. With good insight into real world relationships plus a mix of solid citizens and offbeat good guys, this audiobook has broad appeal and will be valued in middle school, high school, and public libraries. Barbara Wysocki, January 1, 2006. School Library Journal.

Hiaasen's latest plunge into the young adult literary world enables librarians to acquire a mystery marked by quality writing, humor, and suspense, but the book also avoids overbearing teen angst and does not smack of After-School-Special. Wise-beyond-their-years siblings Noah Underwood and his younger sister, Abbey, have formed a long-standing agreement that has Noah keeping an eye on his father and Abbey looking after their mother. Following the sinking of a casino yacht, Paine Underwood, Noah's father and a former fishing guide, who fearlessly challenges authority and is proud of his civil disobedience, is thrown in prison. During a Father's Day jail visit, Noah learns that the yacht's owner, slimy Dusty Muleman, had been dumping raw sewage into the water, ruining the swimming beach and endangering the breeding turf of loggerhead turtles, thus providing Paine's motivation for sinking the floating gambling hall. Exhausted by her husband's shenanigans, Mrs. Underwood threatens to end the marriage, providing added incentive for the intrepid teens to launch a hazardous plan. The son revisits the sins of the father when Noah-with steadfast assistance from Abbey-hatches a devious scheme to exonerate his father and prove beyond a doubt that the greedy Muleman really was dumping nasty waste into the bay. In this follow-up to Hoot (Knopf, 2002/VOYA October 2002), Hiaasen's mastery of droll dialogue and entertaining descriptions prevent the large cast of quirky characters from falling into stereotypical traps. The skillful pacing of the somewhat intricate plot keeps the pages turning, making this extremely amusing book a welcome addition to all teen collections. Rollie Welch. October 1, 2005. Voice of Youth Advocates.

In My World:
In the library, I would use this book for a read aloud or as a book for a book club. This would be a great opening for a discussion about the environment and pollution and can prompt research into those subjects. This can also be a wonderful addition to a unit on the flora and fauna of the Florida Keys.