Howie Bowles and Uncle Sam [Hardcover]

Kate Banks (Author), Isaac Millman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Is Howie in trouble with the IRS?

On the same day that Howie Bowles finds out that he was born on Friday the thirteenth, his teacher tells him that he should pay more attention to numbers. Then he gets a phone call from the Internal Revenue Service, telling him he made a mistake filling out a form and owes Uncle Sam $112.15. He doesn't know who this guy Sam is, or what form it is he made a mistake on, but the IRS says that "failure to pay could result in penalty and imprisonment!" Howie only has $15.17. How can he ever raise $96.98 in one week? He's resigned to his fate of going to prison until his mom finds out what's troubling him, and together they discover that there is another Howie Bowles! In short chapters with snappy dialogue, Kate Banks continues the adventures of Howie Bowles, a likable, worried little boy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-3-Howie Bowles is convinced that he will be plagued with bad luck throughout his life because he was born on Friday the 13th. His school and home life confirm this: he has difficulty with math, and his younger siblings, particularly his infant sister, seem to receive more parental attention than he does. The coup de gr?ce comes in the form of a delinquent tax notice the third grader receives from the IRS. Howie is in debt to the tune of $112 to an uncle named Sam whom he doesn't know, and is warned of imprisonment if he doesn't pay. As the due date approaches, he makes his farewells at home and at school. At the last minute, though, his mother finds the letter and straightens out the problem, and Howie realizes that he's pretty lucky after all to have parents who care about him. Howie's character, which is fraught with insecurities, and the humor are well developed. Readers may not necessarily buy into some of Howie's friends' favorite leisure activities (marble games, the art of spitballs, and the classroom game of "Post Office"), but this easy chapter book should appeal to younger readers.
Sharon McNeil, Los Angeles County Office of Education
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Banks brings back Howie Bowles, who embodies the angst of every third-grader, for another delightful adventure. When Howie discovers he was born on Friday the thirteenth, he knows why he's having such bad luck. Besides stepping in dog poop, he gets a poor grade in math and is caught chewing gum. Even worse, he may have to go to jail: a letter from the IRS tells him he owes $112.15. He assumes the 1040EZ form mentioned in the letter was something he filled out for his teacher. Not wanting his parents to find out about the bill, he tries to borrow money from the bank. When that fails, he resigns himself to life imprisonment, and for his remaining days of freedom, decides to be extra kind to everyone. Of course, everything is eventually happily resolved. This comical story, heightened by Isaac Millman's expressive illustrations, is right on target for the age group. Shelley Townsend-Hudson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374351163
• ISBN-13: 978-0374351168
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,297,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)