Surprises according to Humphrey

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Title:

Surprises according to Humphrey

Author:

Birney, Betty G, author.

Series:

Humphrey adventures ;

Series Number:

Summary:

While continuing to help his classmates solve their problems, Humphrey, pet hamster of Longfellow School's Room 26, faces many surprises, like rolling in a hamster ball, a substitute janitor who might be an alien, and the possibility of Mrs. Brisbane retiring.

Physical Description:

136 p. ; 22 cm.

Subject Term:

Humphrey (Fictitious character : Birney) -- Juvenile fiction.

Hamsters -- Juvenile fiction.

Schools -- Juvenile fiction.

Interpersonal relations -- Juvenile fiction.

Hamsters -- Fiction.

Schools -- Fiction.

Interpersonal relations -- Fiction.

Publisher:

G. P. Putnam's Sons,

Electronic Access:

Contributor biographical information
Publisher description

Publication Date:

2008

ISBN:

9780399247309

Publication Information:

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, c2008.

Call Number:

J BIRNEY

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607002718271	Juvenile Fiction	BIRNEY	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Being a classroom hamster means having to be ready for anything'but suddenly there are a lot of big surprises in Humphrey's world. Some are exciting, like seeing the playground during a fire drill and getting to roll around in a hamster ball. But some aren't so good, like a cat creeping around, a different janitor who might be from another planet, and the most shocking thing of all'the possibility of Mrs. Brisbane retiring.

Even with all that's going on, Humphrey makes time to help a few classmates with their problems. But could Mrs. Brisbane leaving school be one problem that's just too big for this little guy to solve?

Friendship According to Humphrey received a Christopher Award, and kids voted The World According to Humphrey the winner of children's choice awards in six states. Plus, it's been nominated for ten others.

Author Notes

Betty G. Birney has won many awards for writing for television, including an Emmy, three Humanitas Prizes, and a Writers Guild of America Award, and she won the Christopher Award for Friendship According to Humphrey. In addition to the Humphrey series, she is the author of The Seven Wonders of Sassafrass Springs and The Princess and the Peabody's. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where her parents grew up as neighbors on Humphrey Street. Her website, bettybirney.com, is full of fun Humphrey activities and information.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 2-4-Classroom pet extraordinaire Humphrey, a golden hamster, returns in his fourth novel. Spring has arrived, and Mrs. Brisbane's students are preparing for some important tests. Humphrey learns with them as they work on math problems and vocabulary words, which he records in his tiny notebook. He also engages in adventures like coming face-to-face with a cat named Sweetums, motivating senior citizens at a rehab center, and wandering the empty halls of school at night. Furthermore, Mrs. Wright, the whistle-blowing, rule-enforcing P.E. teacher, is out to get him, and he worries that Mrs. Brisbane will decide to retire. With his usual flare, Humphrey plots to help his humans overcome their problems. Each chapter ends with a definition from his Dictionary of Wonderful Words. Humphrey is a witty, fun, and lovable character with great kid appeal. This tale can be read independently of the previous novels.-Alison Grant, Ruby S. Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Series new and old compete for readers' attention. Betty G. Birney's charismatic classroom hamster is back in Surprises According to Humphrey, his fourth and possibly last adventure in Room 26. (Putnam, $14.99 192p ages 7-up ISBN 9780-399-24730-9; Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved