Flush is a children’s / young adult novel by American novelist Carl Hiaasen which was published in 2005. This middle-grade story is set in south Florida and addresses the subject of environmental conservation.
The narrative follows the young protagonist Noah Underwood as he finishes what his father started in protecting the Florida coastal waters from contamination. His father had initially sunk the Coral Queen, a casino boat that dumps sewage waste into the water, but gets incarcerated. With the casino back in business, Noah incorporates the help of a bunch of misfits in pulling off Operation Royal Flush. Along the way, their plan encounters few hiccups but with more assistance manage to execute their operation.
In the book, Hiaasen takes on more mature themes than his previous novel Hoot as he includes marital issues and parental incarceration as motifs. School Library Journal wrote “In the manner of Hoot, 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.”
