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Homer on the Case — Review

rosihollinbeck

Thought for the Day:

“Abandon the idea that you are ever going to finish. Lose track of the 400 pages and write just one page for each day, it helps. Then when it gets finished, you are always surprised.”
~ John Steinbeck ~

Gifts for My Writer Friends:

Kristen Lamb has done it again. Her posts are always helpful and funny. She has a GREAT post, The Log Lines, HERE. Do not miss this one.

The Good Story Company has a great article HERE by Amy Wilson on How to Describe Emotion. This is really helpful.

I buy a lot of books from ThriftBooks in an effort to avoid Amazon. Yes, they do sell new books too, but maybe not every book. Anyway, HERE is a post from them that is just for fun — 7 Little-Known Facts about Ernest Hemingway.

We had a GREAT visit with my grandson, Gehrig, and his girlfriend, Abby, last week. I am still smiling. I mentioned that he had truly become a Minnesotan and was wearing a Twins jersey in my post last week. I razzed him about it, and he made it very clear that he still bleeds Giants’ orange, but it was a Kirby Puckett jersey. Those of you who know baseball will understand that it being a Puckett jersey makes it quite understandable. Everyone loved Kirby Puckett. He was such a great player. On another note, what a horrible week it has been in Texas politics and in the path of Ida. I couldn’t believe the devastation Ida wreaked all over the East Coast. I don’t normally have to worry about my daughter in New York during hurricane season, but nothing is normal any more. I can’t imagine how anyone can deny climate change, but there are still so many who don’t believe it. And many of the same people think Covid isn’t real and that the vaccines are not important as cases continue to mount in the states where people are not getting vaccinated. Sometimes I think the whole world has lost its collective mind. Let’s hope things get better. Enough about that. On to books.

I have a stack of books I’ve read and need to review, most of which are nice hardbacks, so there will be more donations than giveaways for awhile.

I don’t read a lot of books that have personified animals as characters. It just isn’t my thing. But I read a review of Homer on the Case by Henry Cole on our MMGM host Greg Pattridge’s blog that made me think it might be the exception to my usual apathy about such books. You can see Greg’s review HERE. The book showed up on the available-for-review list for the Manhattan Book Review, so I requested it. I’m really glad I did. What a romp! And who doesn’t like a mystery? It’s got that too. Oh, and how can you resist that cover? That is one confident pigeon. Here is the review I wrote for MBR.

Homer is a lucky bird, living in a big cage on the roof that protects him from the weather. His owner, Otto, leaves the door open so Homer can be out during the day. Homer has taught himself to read the newspapers Otto puts in his cage each day. His favorite is Dick Tracy, and Homer would like to be just like him. Some thefts have happened in the park, and when Homer observes some rats steal something, he follows them. Soon he meets a parrot, Lulu, and talks to her about what he has seen. They bravely go into the sewer and find out where all the stolen goods have been going. Now they just need to communicate with their humans what is going on. That’s a tough job!

Henry Cole

Author and illustrator Henry Cole has written a really cute mystery for the younger middle-grade set. The characters, both animal and human, are well-rounded, interesting characters with good back-stories. Fun black-and-white illustrations at the beginning of each chapter will help young readers to stay involved. The writing is excellent with snappy dialogue and a very compelling story to carry readers through. This is a winner.

I have no giveaway this week since I will donate the nice hardback copy I got to the school. Don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE. He always has links to several middle-grade reviews, and he writes reviews on his own blog two or three times a week. See you here soon!

Published by rosihollinbeck

20 thoughts on “Homer on the Case — Review”

  4. I haven’t really thought about whether I like peronified animals as characters. I know that I neer liked Stuart Little as a kid, but as an adult I loved The Rats of NIMH. I have a feeling I would like Homer – especially with a mystery involved! But I have to thank you for Kristen Lamb’s post. I have now subscribed to her newsletter. How can one NOT enjoy someone who makes you laugh while learning something. I can hardly wait for her next post.

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  6. This sounds like a great escape. I love the cover and the fact that Homer has a secure home at night and the freedom to do his super sleuthing! It sounds very entertaining!

    I’m with you. It does feel like we have lost our collective mind! Several people I know refused to get vaccinated and are paying dearly for it. Glad you had a great visit with your grandson!

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  7. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one with its unique characters and story line. Kids I’ve talked to who have read this book also liked it. Busy day today so I haven’t gotten to the links but will, especially the first you highly recommended. Thanks for featuring your post on today’s MMGM.

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  8. I’m so glad you enjoyed visiting with your grandson and his girlfriend! And yes, all the enraging things you mention are, well, enraging—the COVID stuff is insanity-inducing, and I cannot believe Ida has been so bad in NEW YORK. And the Texas law is infuriating as well. On a brighter note, I remember seeing Greg Pattridge’s review of this book, and it really does sound excellent—and so unique! I love the meme as well, and the quote is so wise. Thanks so much for the great post!

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  10. I loved your review and your writer’s tips.
    Took so many notes from Mary Kole’s Good Story Company guest post by Amy Wilson. Interiority is a key element in my own writing which needs a strong shot in my arm.

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