Children's Book Reviews: Humphrey

I really like Children's Literature.  Had you noticed?  Anyways, as much as Sarah mocked me on this one, I have found that I enjoy a new series of Young Readers.  They are the Humphrey Books.  These books are intended for probably about a 2nd grade reader, so they are not difficult at all.  But they are clever and quite enjoyable to be honest.  (Note:  I guess they're officially 3rd grade advanced/4th grade, but I think I could have read it in 1st).

Front Cover

Humphrey is a classroom hamster in Room 26.  A very precocious and intelligent one, but a classroom hamster.  Also, his cage has a "lock that doesn't lock," so he can go on adventures in the classroom when no one is looking.  Because he spends the day watching the students, he learns a lot about the students, human nature and what is really important.  As he goes home on the weekends to the students' houses, he finds a mark that he can leave on each and every family.  To the bright, but shy girl, who he finds out is the only one in her immigrant family who speaks English, he is a friend as well as someone with whom her mother can practice English.  He learns that maybe the principal isn't who he thought he was.  He learns that even though Mrs. Brisbane may not be as fun-loving as Mrs. Mac, perhaps she's a better teacher who cares deeply about the students.  And that bully has a lot more going on than meets the eye.

They're cute, they're fun, they teach kids to see the world through a lot of different perspectives and maybe think that there is always something that makes people do what they do.

I recommend them.  Even if you think that 2nd-grade hamster books are below you.

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