by Betty G. Birney ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2004
Humphrey is back in Room 26 after winter vacation. In the off-season Humphrey has lost none of his sense of humor, his penchant for saying things thrice, or his nearly preternatural ability to solve human dilemmas. When a new pet is brought into the classroom, Humphrey faces his own jealousy over the attention Og the Frog receives. Worse still, Og’s only response to Humphrey’s attempts to befriend him is, “BOING!” Humphrey still finds it in his heart to assist his friends. For example, through crafty shenanigans, he helps solve the bully problem and lends a paw when the janitor faces a tough decision. All this, while the class is preparing for a Poetry Festival. Humphrey’s good intentions prevail, even when it comes to Og. Ultimately, this thoughtful yet upbeat tale lends credence to the notion that actions and intentions can be misinterpreted while pointing out the benefits of looking at a situation from another’s point of view. Readers will find that seeing the world from Humphrey’s standpoint is mighty satisfying. (Fiction. 7-11)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-399-24264-3
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2005
Share your opinion of this book
More In The Series
More by Betty G. Birney
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Betty G. Birney ; illustrated by Priscilla Burris
by Mitali Perkins ; illustrated by Jamie Hogan ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2015
A multicultural title with obvious appeal for animal-loving middle graders.
When a Bengali boy finds and saves a tiger cub from a man who wants to sell her on the black market, he realizes that the schoolwork he resents could lead to a career protecting his beloved Sunderbans island home.
When the not-yet-weaned cub escapes from a nearby reserve, Neel and many of his neighbors join the search. But some are in the pay of greedy Gupta, a shady entrepreneur who’s recently settled in their community. Even Neel’s father is tempted by Gupta’s money, although he knows that Gupta doesn’t plan to take the cub back to the refuge. Neel and his sister use the boy’s extensive knowledge of the island’s swampy interior to find the cub’s hiding place and lure it out so it can be returned to its mother. The Kolkota-born author visited the remote Sunderbans in the course of her research. She lovingly depicts this beautiful tropical forest in the context of Neel’s efforts to find the cub and his reluctance to leave his familiar world. While the conflicts resolve a bit too easily, the sense of place is strong and the tiger cub’s rescue very satisfying. Pastel illustrations will help readers envision the story.
A multicultural title with obvious appeal for animal-loving middle graders. (author's note, organizations, glossary) (Fiction. 8-11)Pub Date: April 14, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-58089-660-3
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: Jan. 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2015
Share your opinion of this book
More by Mitali Perkins
BOOK REVIEW
by Mitali Perkins ; illustrated by Khoa Le
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Mitali Perkins ; illustrated by Kevin Howdeshell & Kristen Howdeshell
by Sara Pennypacker & illustrated by Marla Frazee ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2006
Maybe it was because third-grader Clementine was a little bit angry with her best friend Margaret that things got out of hand with the scissors and the permanent markers and the hair. Or maybe she really was just trying to help. In short chapters, set in the city apartment building her father manages or the school where she has some tough days, Clementine relates the events of the trying week she discovered she was the difficult child in her family and thought she was about to be given away. Middle-grade readers will sympathize with Clementine’s conflicted feelings about her friend and her family, and laugh out loud at her impulsive antics, narrated in a fresh first-person voice and illustrated with plenty of humor. Just like her family they will cheer when she comes up with a way to end The Great Pigeon War as well as the temporary rift with her friend. Energetic and imaginative, Clementine is gifted with understanding and patient parents. Give this to readers of Cleary and Blume and cross your fingers for more. (Fiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-7868-3882-5
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2006
Share your opinion of this book
More by Sara Pennypacker
BOOK REVIEW
by Sara Pennypacker ; illustrated by Matthew Cordell
BOOK REVIEW
by Sara Pennypacker ; illustrated by Jon Klassen
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.