Helpful Score: 4
This was the first Carl Hiaasen book I read, so perhaps starting with one of his books geared towards young people was an odd choice. I enjoyed this book immensely, and often laughed out loud while reading it.
Noah Underwood's father often does wacky things because of his passionate concern for the environment and the human and animal inhabitants of Florida. When he discovers that the local floating casino is dumping raw sewage into local waters he goes to far in his protests and lands himself in jail. Despite a threatened hunger strike and please to the media, Mr. Underwood is not believed and instead is made out by the press to be a looney. Noah's mother is losing patience with her husband, and when Noah's sister Abbey overhears her using the d-word on the phone the siblings realize that the only way to save their family is to prove that their father's allegations of illegal dumping are true.
Hiaasen's protagonist is witty and the rest of his family is delightfully quirky. This book has a lot to offer both adults and bright young readers.
Noah Underwood's father often does wacky things because of his passionate concern for the environment and the human and animal inhabitants of Florida. When he discovers that the local floating casino is dumping raw sewage into local waters he goes to far in his protests and lands himself in jail. Despite a threatened hunger strike and please to the media, Mr. Underwood is not believed and instead is made out by the press to be a looney. Noah's mother is losing patience with her husband, and when Noah's sister Abbey overhears her using the d-word on the phone the siblings realize that the only way to save their family is to prove that their father's allegations of illegal dumping are true.
Hiaasen's protagonist is witty and the rest of his family is delightfully quirky. This book has a lot to offer both adults and bright young readers.
Helpful Score: 2
My 12 year old daughter had to read this for school and loved it. Since she had to write a report, I decided to read it too and thoroughly enjoyed it myself. It has suspense and some great lessons. Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 2
Another great book by Hiaasen that focuses on enviromental issues and conservation. For the most part appropriate for elementary readers 4th-6th, but there is a dash of colorful language. This book also brings up the issue of a family member being in jail, as well as divorce.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun story about serious issue of pollution in Florida keys. One man just won't stand by and let injustice pass unchecked, much to the dismay of his family.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great read. I tried to extend the enjoyment by only reading one chapter at a time each night. Some nights, that just wouldn't do and even if my husband and I were both tired, we kept at it. Good quantity of teenage humor, family dysfunction, passionately modeling values and balancing that with managing every day life. It was sweet and we laughed out loud.
