Never Cry "Arp!" and Other Great Adventures [Hardcover]

Patrick F. McManus (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

America's best-selling outdoor humorist for adults has a secret following: middle-grade and young-adult readers.

Never Cry "Arp!" is a lively collection of twelve stories about young Pat's misadventures in the Great American Wilderness.

All the McManus regulars are here: Crazy Eddie Muldoon, the best friend everybody wishes they had (and everybody's mother wishes they didn't); Rancid Crabtree, the good-hearted, if gamey, woodsman; Pat's skunk dog, Strange, who lives up to his name; and Pat's pal, Retch Sweeney, who does, too.

This is a book for kids who love to start fishing at 4am (at least they say they do) or for those who prefer to experience the mighty outdoors in the safety of their homes.

"Everybody should read Patrick McManus," said the New York Times. Now, everybody can.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?Based on the author's memories of his boyhood adventures in the mountains of Idaho, these shaggy-dog tales are told in colorful backwoods dialect. Not many youngsters will understand the references to Bogart, Cagney, and Bob Hope, but after the second page the narrator's strong voice takes over and readers will be able to imagine hearing a favorite relative sharing these reminiscences. The 12 episodes reek of adolescent male humor: "Cubs" is a rendition of an unforgettable outing hosted by dim scoutmaster Tiddle and two sadistic older boys, Attila and Lucifer. In "Show and Tell," the poor but creative country kids try to outdo the rich townies and impress their lovely new teacher. The most graphic selection, "Secret Places," is about an "extracurricular" science project?the narrator and his friend's collection of urine deposits hidden in the barn rafters. The denouement is not for the squeamish! Although many characters reappear throughout, there is not a sense of continuity. In the 10th story, the characters are in third grade; in the next, they are suddenly sophomores. The last tale about a camp out ends abruptly, providing no sense of closure. Fans of Robert Newton Peck looking for darker humor may appreciate this book; however, for readers who want kindly, grandfatherly tales liberally mixed with humor, a love of nature, a strong dose of fantasy, and poetic prose, try Robin Moore's The Cherry Tree Buck and Other Stories (Knopf, 1995).?Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City Public Library,
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-9. Young people who love the broad physical comedy of Robert Newton Peck's Soup stories or Gary Paulsen's Harris and Me (1993) are sure to enjoy these 12 stories about growing up in the mountains of Idaho. Although the book is classified as fiction, McManus' introductory note assures us the adventures are all true, if "varnished, stretched, and embroidered. . . somewhat." McManus is a natural storyteller, with a voice so strong that readers will be hard-pressed not to believe his tales. They'll also probably be relieved they didn't live in his neighborhood! The tales will be great choices for readers' theater or storytelling, as well as good models for a student's own writing or telling. Chris Sherman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (May 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805046623
• ISBN-13: 978-0805046625
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patrick F. McManus is a renowned outdoor writer, humorist, and longtime columnist for Outdoor Life and Field & Stream. His most recent books are the Sheriff Bo Tully mysteries Avalanche and The Blight Way. He is the author of many other books, including such runaway New York Times bestsellers as The Grasshopper Trap, The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw, and Real Ponies Don't Go Oink! He lives in Spokane, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, July 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Never Cry "Arp!" and Other Great Adventures (Hardcover)

The talent and comedy of Patrick F. McManus has delighted my family and me for over 5 years. His hillarious stories will have you rolling in your bed at wee hours in the morning and his style of verse and wording are absolutly exquisite! I promise you that if you buy this or any other book by McManus, that you will not regret it. Niether will your spouse or children

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduce McManus to Younger Readers, March 20, 2009

By 

Choosy Beggar (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Never Cry "Arp!" and Other Great Adventures (Hardcover)

This is a collection of selected Patrick McManus short stories edited for younger readers. They are just as funny as the originals and will be a good way for me to introduce my kids to McManus when they get a little older.

I knocked it down a star because it wasn't made clear that these were stories from his other books edited for kids. I thought it was all new material!

McManus is THE classic outdoor humorist. His earlier work had me falling off the couch laughing it was so hysterical. His later work is more thoughtful, but it's all funny. Everyone should read McManus!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book is fun..., January 19, 2004

By 

David Kofod (ID USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Cry "Arp!" and Other Great Adventures (Hardcover)

I just read this book, and it is awesome.. The writer is really good at making you feel like you are "in" the book..
This book is full of little funny stories..
I can defiantly commend this book..