Flush

In Carl Hiaasen's "Flush," Noah Underwood's environmentalist father is jailed for sinking a casino boat he believes is illegally dumping sewage into the Florida Keys waters. Determined to clear his dad's name and protect their beloved ocean, Noah, with the help of his feisty younger sister Abbey and an unlikely crew of allies, devises a clever plan to catch the polluter red-handed. This action-packed mystery blends humor, family drama, and a strong message about environmental justice, making it an engaging read for middle-grade children. It tackles themes of standing up for what's right, perseverance, and the power of ordinary kids to make a difference.

Bestselling novelist Carl Hiaasen is back with another hysterical mystery adventure for young readers, set in the Florida Keys. You know it's going to be a rough summer when you spend Father's Day visiting your dad in the local lockup. Noah's dad is sure that the owner of the Coral Queen casino boat is flushing raw sewage into the harbor--which has made taking a dip at the local beach like swimming in a toilet. He can't prove it though, and so he decides that sinking the boat will make an effective statement. Right. The boat is pumped out and back in business within days and Noah's dad is stuck in the clink. Now Noah is determined to succeed where his dad failed. He will prove that the Coral Queen is dumping illegally . . . somehow. His allies may not add up to much--his sister Abbey, an unreformed childhood biter; Lice Peeking, a greedy sot with poor hygiene; Shelly, a bartender and a woman scorned; and a mysterious pirate--but Noah's got a plan to flush this crook out into the open. A plan that should sink the crooked little casino, once and for all.From the Hardcover edition.