Friendship According to Humphrey [Paperback]

Betty G. Birney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2006 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Humphrey

After the holidays, Humphrey is shocked by a big surprise in Room 26-a new class pet! Humphrey tries to be welcoming, but Og the frog doesn't respond to any of his friendly squeaks or visits (remember, he has a lock-that-doesn't-lock). Plus, the students are so interested in Og, they almost stop paying attention to Humphrey altogether. Humphrey doesn't like the mad-bad-sad feelings he's had since Og came, but luckily he still gets to have adventures with different kids on the weekends.  Friendship can be tricky, but Humphrey is an intrepid problem-solver. If any hamster can become buddies with a frog, he can.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4 - The adorable and intelligent hamster introduced in The World According to Humphrey (Putnam, 2004) is dismayed to find that he shares his status as classroom pet with a frog. Try as he might, Humphrey cannot seem to make friends with Og, who just splashes him or says "BOING!" The little rodent, who can secretly write, learn, and get out of his cage, also uses his wits to effect positive outcomes of the various subplots, including a new girl who won't talk and has trouble making friends, two pals who get into a terrible fight, a bully who causes trouble on the bus, and the janitor who dreams of going back to college. The theme of friendship is as pervasive as the title implies, making this chapter book a charming read-aloud. Pair this tale with Frank Asch's Survival School (S & S, 2003) for an appreciation of animals in the classroom. - Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

His lively, first-person narrative, filled with witty commentary on human and hamster behavior, makes for an engaging, entertaining read. (Booklist)

A winning book. (School Library Journal)

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (July 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142406333
• ISBN-13: 978-0142406335
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Frogs & Toads
  • #23 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Frogs & Toads
  • #61 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs & Squirrels > Fiction

More About the Author

Betty G. Birney lives in Los Angeles, California. Her web site is full of fun Humphrey activities and information.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Friendship According to Humphrey is the BEST!!!, January 24, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Friendship According to Humphrey (Hardcover)

Friendship According to Humphrey is the sequel to the book, World According to Humphrey. This will teach you about teamwork and friendship. I give this 5 stars.

This book takes place in room 26 and there is a little main hamster named Humphrey who sees the true meaning of friendship with another little main Frog named Og. This unexpected fellow goes BOING! Instead of RIBBIT! Next Humphrey meets Aldo again and Humphrey finds out that Aldo will start teaching Room 26. That's all I'm going to give you.

Dan, Grade 5, Harrisville, RI

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOST AND FOUND AND LOST AGAIN!!, January 27, 2009

By 

Jane N. Higginbotham "The Higbees" (North Palm Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Friendship According to Humphrey (Paperback)

The second grade class at The Benjamin School thinks that all of the Humphrey books are great! Humphrey was so special to us that we decided to buy our own Humphrey for our class pet. Higbee Humphrey is grey and white and is a teddy bear hamster but seems to act just like Humphrey did in the books. One night he escaped in our classroom and four weeks later we found him, but he was twice the size he first was. Last week he decided to explore our classroom again so escaped a second time. We can't wait to read the next book in the series and hope that the author will write lots more about our special friend, Humphrey.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humphrey ROCKS!!!, January 24, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Friendship According to Humphrey (Hardcover)

I am a 5th grader (...), CO, and I loved Humphrey's tale! The first person narrative by Humphrey, who is a hamster - a "golden hamster" he likes to call himself - reveals what is would be like to be a hamster. The book was both funny and exciting. I highly reccomend this book!