Secondhand Lions [Library Binding]

John Whitman (Author)

Book Description

Are Walter’s “uncles” really ex-bank robbers? He’s about to spend a summer with them and find out!

Poor Walter! His mom, Mae, an irresponsible beauty past her prime and down on her luck, has dumped him off with his two eccentric old “uncles,” Hub and Garth. Mae’s convinced that the old men have millions stashed away from bank robberies—and she’s determined that she and Walter deserve a piece of the pie. So while Mae’s off trying to find a husband, Walter tries to make himself at home in the company of these older, grumpier men—and some other relatives that are equally determined to get their share of the family assets.

Soon Walter is transfixed and transformed by the stories Garth tells of his and Hub’s dashing younger years: how they were in the French Foreign Legion and how Hub won the love of the Sultan’s daughter and evaded the jealous Sheik’s assassins. Are Hub and Garth sitting on a fortune, or is that a story too? And who’s going to get it if they are?

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Are Walter?s ?uncles? really ex-bank robbers? He?s about to spend a summer with them and find out!

Poor Walter! His mom, Mae, an irresponsible beauty past her prime and down on her luck, has dumped him off with his two eccentric old ?uncles,? Hub and Garth. Mae?s convinced that the old men have millions stashed away from bank robberies?and she?s determined that she and Walter deserve a piece of the pie. So while Mae?s off trying to find a husband, Walter tries to make himself at home in the company of these older, grumpier men?and some other relatives that are equally determined to get their share of the family assets.

Soon Walter is transfixed and transformed by the stories Garth tells of his and Hub?s dashing younger years: how they were in the French Foreign Legion and how Hub won the love of the Sultan?s daughter and evaded the jealous Sheik?s assassins. Are Hub and Garth sitting on a fortune, or is that a story too? And who?s going to get it if they are? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Sagebrush Education Resources (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417601191
• ISBN-13: 978-1417601196
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family entertainment, November 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Secondhand Lions (Paperback)

I loved this book and I'm 58. Touching, funny, adventurous,and without giving away the ending it was a very surprising satisfying end. I am now anxiously waiting to buy the video. It was nice to know the stars in the movie to picture them in the reading of the book. Thorougly enjoyed!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Rare Read, March 28, 2004

By 

L. Nelson "lee_ann92" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secondhand Lions (Paperback)

It is rare in children's literature that readers find male figures that attempt to mentor a boy.

After Walt's mother abandons him with his two eccentric uncles, they attempt to raise him and influence him through their outrageous stories. While they are unique rolemodels, they are honest ones. As I read this, I genuinely couldn't think of anything comparable. I highly recommend it for young male readers who are in search for adventure and a little influence ~ but beware of jealousy! Who wouldn't want the adventurous Hub and Garth as uncles? The ending is a as wonderful as the adventure to get there...

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seconhand Lions, November 19, 2003

By 

Alyssa (San Diego,CA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secondhand Lions (Paperback)

Secondhand Lions was a great book; it always kept me interested and wanting to find out what was going to happen next.
In the story there is a boy named Walter. One summer his mother leaves him with his two great-uncles Hub & Garth. Throughout the story his uncles did some strange things, one of my favorites was when Garth bought an assortment of seeds and they turned out to be all corn. The corn is a symbol of freedom for one of the characters, but you will have to read the book to find out who it is.