Synopses & Reviews
The story of everyones favorite classroom pet is now available in Spanish! You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. Thats what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy, is it true! In addition to his classroom escapades, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student, like Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. and Speak-Up-Sayeh. Soon Humphrey learns to read, write, and even shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course). Humphrey has friends, adventures, and a cage with a lock-thatdoesnt- lock. His life would be perfect, if only the teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, wasnt out to get him!
"Humphrey's views underscore the importance of knowing the full story before making judgments, and his presence makes a positive difference in the lives of the people he meets. All in all, a winning book that will appeal to children who like tales about animals, school life, and friendship."School Library Journal
Review
"A likable hamster narrates this novel for newly independent readers….Birney succeeds in developing the animal’s character without the narrative becoming too cute or contrived. Humphrey's views underscore the importance of knowing the full story before making judgments, and his presence makes a positive difference in the lives of the people he meets. All in all, a winning book that will appeal to children who like tales about animals, school life, and friendship."
—School Library Journal "The story deftly avoids triteness while still feeling breezy and acknowledging deeply felt troubles, such as Mrs. Brisbane's husband’s depression. The pet-care tips punctuating each chapter would benefit any youngster thinking about getting a hamster, but for everyone else, this read is simply good-good-good."—Kirkus Reviews
Review
Awards and Honors for the Humphrey series: The World According to Humphrey Winner Childrens Crown Award Winner Iowa Childrens Choice Award Winner Rhode Island Childrens Book Award Winner Pennsylvanias Keystone to Reading Book Award Winner Marylands Black-Eyed Susan Award Winner Oklahomas Sequoyah Book Award Winner Washington States Sasquatch Reading Award Winner Golden Sower Award (NE) Maud Hart Lovelace Award 2nd Place (MN) Massachusetts Childrens Book Award Honor Book Nevada Young Readers Award Nominee
Sunshine State Award Master List (FL) Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award Nominee Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award Nominee South Carolina Childrens Book Award Nominee North Carolina Childrens Book Award Nominee Beehive Award Nominee (UT) Young Hoosier Award Nominee (IN) Bluestem Book Award Nominee (IL) Kennebec Valley Book Award Nominee (ME) Bank St. Childrens Book Committee Starred Best Book of the Year North Carolina Battle of the Books
Friendship According to Humphrey
2006 Christopher Award Winner, Winner Childrens Crown Award, Bank St. Childrens Book Committee Best Book of the Year, Iowa Childrens Choice Nominee, New York Library Association Best Book of the Season Sub rights sold by agent: UK, Japan, Holland, Hungary, Arabic Trouble According to Humphrey
A Bank Street Childrens Book Committee Best Book of the Year, Childrens Crown Award Nominee, Land of Enchantment Book Award Nominee (NM) Surprises According to Humphrey
A BookSense Pick, Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List Selection, Iowa Childrens Choice Nominee, Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List, California Collection Selection. Adventure According to Humphrey
Land of Enchantment Book Award Nominee (NM), Childrens Crown Award Honor Book Summer According to Humphrey
SCIBA Book Award Finalist, California Collection selection, Childrens Crown Award nominee
Synopsis
The first in the series about everyone's favorite classroom pet!
You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That's what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy is it true! There are always adventures in the classroom and each weekend he gets to sleep over with different students. Humphrey learns to read, write, shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course) , turn off TVs, teach English as a second language, and more. With a lock-that-doesn't-lock and an adventurous spirit, what more could a mischievous hamster want?
With a fresh voice and an engaging, hamster's-eye view of school, families, and treats to hide in a cheek pouch, Betty G. Birney's Humphrey will elicit laughter and demands for hamsters in every elementary classroom.
Synopsis
The first in the series about everyone's favorite classroom pet
You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That's what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy is it true There are always adventures in the classroom and each weekend he gets to sleep over with different students. Humphrey learns to read, write, shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course), turn off TVs, teach English as a second language, and more. With a lock-that-doesn't-lock and an adventurous spirit, what more could a mischievous hamster want?
With a fresh voice and an engaging, hamster's-eye view of school, families, and treats to hide in a cheek pouch, Betty G. Birney's Humphrey will elicit laughter and demands for hamsters in every elementary classroom.
"
Synopsis
A hamsterific celebration of the best time of the year
Room 26 is abuzz. The students are making costumes and practicing their special songs for the Winter Wonderland program and Humphrey is fascinated by all the ways his classmates celebrate the holidays (especially the yummy food). He also has problems to solve like how to get Do-It-Now-Daniel to stop procrastinating, convince Helpful-Holly to stop stressing over presents, and come up with the perfect gift for Og the frog. Of course he manages to do all that while adding delightful heart and humor to the holiday season.
Nominated for twenty-four state awards and the winner of seven, the Humphrey series is a hit across the country. And he's becoming a one school/one book favorite!
Synopsis
The first book in the series about everyone's favorite classroom pet!
You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. Thats what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy, is it true! In addition to having FUN-FUN-FUN in class, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student, like Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. and Speak-Up-Sayeh. Soon Humphrey learns to read, write, and even shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course). With lots of friends to help, adventures to enjoy, and a cage with a lock-that-doesnt- lock, Humphrey's life is almost perfect. If only the teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, wasnt out to get him!
Boys and girls can't help falling in love with Humphrey!
About the Author
Betty G. Birney has written episodes for numerous children's television shows, including The New Adventures of Madeleine, Doug, and Bobby's World, as well as after-school specials and a television movie, Mary Christmas. She has won many awards for her television work, including an Emmy, three Humanitas Prizes, and a Writers Guild of America award.
In addition to the Humphrey books, she is the author of The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs and The Princess and the Peabodys.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Betty lives in Los Angeles with her husband, an actor.