The Secret Life of Hubie Hartzel [Paperback]

Susan Rowan Masters (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Hubie is a daydreamer. When he daydreams, he lets his imagination go wild. He imagines he's a rock star, or a heavyweight champion, or sometimes, that he's adopted. In class, he doodles a lot. He draws funny pictures of his teacher, Mrs. Bunce, and of his friends. Daydreaming and doodling are good ways to escape when you think your life is miserable.But real-life problems aren't solved by daydreaming, and Hubie's got some big problems. He's overweight; he's the favorite victim of the class bully, Marruci; and he's not doing well in school. To top it off, his father wants to put his beloved Fred Ferkle, the family cat, to sleep. Hubie is convinced life stinks. But maybe, just maybe, there's something Hubie can do to change all that.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this first novel about the trials and tribulations of a fifth-grader, chronic daydreamer Hubie Hartzel has decided that "life stinks." His cat is sick, his best friend is treated better at home than Hubie is, he's the chief victim of Marucci, the local bully, and he's fallen in love with his art teacher. But Hubie fantasizes that he'll be thin, that he'll defeat Marucci, that he'll find his real parents who will treat him better and that his art teacher will love him back. Finally, when Hubie decides to take his life into his own hands, the results aren't exactly as he dreamed them, but they can sometimes come pretty close. With its likable characters and funny scenes, Masters's light and breezy saga is eminently appealing. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-- Hubie Hartzel has problems. He's failing math, he's overweight, he's stuck between a spoiled little brother and an impossible older sister, and he's the target of Ralph Marruci, class bully. But he has an escape--daydreaming. He imagines himself everything from a rock star to a prize fighter, depending on his current dilemma, and draws pictures in his notebooks in class, specializing in caricatures of his teachers, family, and friends. Unfortunately, Hubie's attempts at coping with life often backfire. He winds up in more trouble than before, and when the perfect plan for revenge on Marruci blows up in his face, he really hits bottom. Masters does manage to rescue Hubie from peril in this entertaining first novel. She writes confidently and engagingly of the ironies that beset fifth-grade Hubie. Her characters are developed with a light, humorous touch that renders them human, and the plot moves quickly along to its happy but not-too-obvious ending. Most readers are sure to identify with Hubie's plight and cheer him on. --Joyce Adams Burner, formerly at Spring Hill Middle Sch . , KS
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595088937
• ISBN-13: 978-0595088935
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Funny, June 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secret Life of Hubie Hartzel (Paperback)

My grandson learned and laughed a lot while reading this informative and entertaining story about a boy with troubles, including the loss of his beloved pet.