Flush by Carl Haissen Module 7

Summary

This book is told from the perspective of Noah, a boy that is about 12. He lives with his parents and sister, Abbey in the Florida Keys. His father, Paine is in jail because he sank a local businessman's boat. He sank the boat because he thought the businessman, named Dusty, was dumping waste into the Keys. While Paine is in jail, the kids find out that there mother may want a divorce. Meanwhile, Paine wants Noah to get a man called Lice Peeking and his girlfriend Shelley to help verify that the businessman is dumping. Lice later goes missing and Shelley helps the kids expose Dusty by dumping food coloring into his ship's toilets. The plan goes off pretty well, but somehow, on their way back home, they get lost at sea.
They are saved by the coast guard which also sees the food coloring. Throughout the story, there is an old man that keeps helping the kids get out of sticky situations. In the end, the kids find out this is their long lost grandfather. Later, Lice is found and Shelley takes him back. Dusty's boat ends up being accidentally burned down by his own son, who had been picking on Abbey and Noah throughout the novel.

My Impression of the Book

I enjoyed this book and was more than a little surprised that this is a book for teens. The themes are very mature. Many of the adults are fallible, even and most especially Paine, the father. It was interesting to get Noah's point of view on his father's exploits. While Noah agreed with Paine's stance, his father's moral stance is taking a toll on the family. It was refreshing to see a book for teens that is written this way.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the children. They are smart, but not so smart as to see unrealistic. Also many times when there are smart children's characters, this is often at the expense of the parents. I think many authors feel as though they need to make the parents seem dumb in order to make the kids smart.

Reviews

"Hiaasen's action-packed mystery set in the Florida Keys offers a colorful cast of dastardly villains and eccentric heroes, along with his signature environmental themes," wrote PW. Ages 10-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. “

”Haasen'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”

Usage in a Library Setting

This book would be great to discuss during the week of Earth Day. This could lead to all sorts of discussions on if Paine was right to sink the ship. It might also be a good idea to discuss the implications of dumping in a public water supply.

References

(2007). Reviews. Publisher's Weekly, August 6,2007, Retrieved September 9, 2009, from www.library.unt.edu
(2006). Reviews. School Library Journal, January 1, 2006, Retrieved September 9, 2009, from www.library.unt.edu