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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’ve read and enjoyed a lot of Hiaasen’s books for adults. His YA ones are just as good, though written more simply and without the sex and cynicism. They’re pretty formulaic, involving unlikely heroes saving endangered habitat or animals in Florida. But that’s a great formula, and he does many interesting things with it.
If you like Hiassen's adult novels, you are still going to love his YA stuff. This novel has many characters but all are developed well. Hiassen's irreverence shines in this story about endangered panthers, a swamp fire and some misunderstood teenagers.
A kids' book that is not necessarily only for kids, Flush is a mystery/adventure featuring endangered species, misbehaving energy companies, a veteran soldier wounded in Iraq, and a mean teacher's mysterious disappearance.
Great book! It has mystery, action, suspense. Florida swamps, panthers, Iraq war veterans. Characters who seem like bad guys that turn out to not be what you expected. Definitely an enjoyable read.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hiaasen is a great author - weaving together endangered species, environmental activism, injured Iraq war veterans, corporate greed and malfeasance into a mystery with engaging characters is very difficult, but he does it with an easy and captivating writing style.
I liked this one better than Hoot or Flushed, despite the fact that it took me three times as long to read it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I think this is a great fifth grade book for environmental awareness, as are all of Hiaasen's young reader books. "Hoot" had a similar premise...kids-turned-activists save endangered animals from a big company who doesn't care about wildlife. Overall, a great message for kids this age -- you can make a difference if you stand up for what you believe in and preserving nature and wildlife is a great cause. The stories themselves are a bit unbelievable though. At one point, the boy hops into a car with a stranger (who luckily turns out to be trustworthy) because his "gut feeling" is the stranger's a good guy. Well, I hope none of my students do that! The story is interesting and the environmental message is great, but the little details are a bit far-fetched.