FLUSH: An Example of What Every Book Should Include

I can't help myself. Whenever I read a book I'm always analyzing how the author pulls it off. How does he or she weave together the different elements needed to produce an engaging book for young readers? 


My recent read, FLUSH by Carl Hiaasen, is a great example of this type of book. It has:


A great beginning that hooks the reader

The deputy told me to empty my pockets: two quarters, a penny, a stick of bubble gum, and a roll of grip tape for my skateboard. It was pitiful.

  "Go on inside. He's waiting for you," the deputy said.

   My dad was sitting alone at a bare metal table. He looked pretty good, all things considered. He wasn't even handcuffed.

    "Happy Father's Day," I said.

(I dare you not to want to read more after that!)

Memorable characters

    

Paine Underwood- who is jailed for trying to prevent a floating casino from dumping raw sewage into the Florida Keys.

Noah Underwood- his son who supports his dad's crusade--even when his father gives up on it himself. (his name really fits him!)

Abbey Underwood- Noah's tough younger sister who has a very mean bite. 

Donna Underwood- who is tired of her husband Paine's crusades. She vacillates between understanding him and thinking he is a selfish jerk who she should divorce.

Antagonists that readers love to hate

Dusty Muleman- the greedy, scrupulous casino operator (his name fits him too).

Jasper Jr. Muleman- Dusty's bully son and Noah's #1 enemy.

Interesting Minor Characters

Shelley- a bartender with an attitude, guts, and her own axe to grind against Dusty.

Grandpa Bobby- a mistaken pirate with a wild past.

Conflict

You name it, this book has it. Man vs. nature; man vs. man; man vs. self; man vs. a machine. It's all here.

A great ending where the main character solves the problem

For that you'll have to read the book.

And I'm going to help you do that by giving away a copy of this book!

Here are the rules to enter:

1. You have to be between 11-15 to win.

2. You have to follow this blog.

3. You have to leave a comment with your email address AND Facebook, Twitter, or email this post to one friend (or have a significant adult in your life post it on Facebook or Twitter. That works too.)

So....

If you're already a follower--get going! If you're not a follower, sign up now! Contest is up November 7th.

If you don't fall into that age category you can:

1. Tell your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or student(s) to enter.

2. Hop over to Joyce Hostetter's and my latest issue of Talking Story where we have 3 other giveaways going on right now. No age restrictions apply! 

Happy Reading...and oh yes, don't forget to FLUSH!