Freddy and the Men from Mars

Freddy the Pig #22

by Walter Rollin Brooks, Kurt Wiese (Illustrator)

This news wouldn't have disturbed Freddy and the other barn animals had not the paper further stated that their friend Mr. Boomschmidt had invited Mr. G. and his men from Mars to join Boomschmidt's Stupendous and Unexcelled Circus. Freddy, ever ready to maintain his reputation as a detective, immediately suspects a hoax, and quickly sets out to expose it. How he manages to do so, with the help of Jinx, the Horrible Ten, and several other familiar allies-and a band of real Martians who turn up just in the nick of time-makes for one of the most hilarious of all the Freddy tales, a story that is simply out of this world!


"Freddy is simply one of the greatest characters in children's literature!" (School Library Journal)

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Animals, Science Fiction, Classics

246 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Walter Rollin Brooks (January 9, 1886 – August 17, 1958) was an American writer best remembered for his short stories and children's books, particularly those about Freddy the Pig and other anthropomorphic animal inhabitants of the "Bean farm" in upstate New York.

Born in Rome, New York, Brooks attended college at the University of Rochester and subsequently studied homeopathic medicine in New York City. He dropped out after two years, however, and returned to Rochester, where he married his first wife, Anne Shepard, in 1909. Brooks found employment with an advertising agency in Utica, and then "retired" in 1911, evidently because he came into a considerable inheritance. His retirement was not permanent: in 1917, he went to work for the American Red Cross and later did editorial work for several magazines, including The New Yorker.

In 1940, Brooks turned to his own writing for his full-time occupation. Walter married his second wife, Dorothy Collins, following the death of Anne in 1952.

The first works Brooks published were poems and short stories. His short story "Ed Takes the Pledge" about a talking horse was the basis for the 1960s television comedy series Mister Ed (credit for creating the characters is given in each episode to "Walter Brooks"). His most enduring works, however, are the 26 books he wrote about Freddy the Pig and his friends.
Source

Reviews

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddy and the Men from Mars is another delightful book in the Freddy and the Pig series. In this installment, Freddy and Uncle Ben are getting the spaceship ready for another attempt to fly to Mars when they hear that Martians have landed on earth. They have joined up with Mr Boomschmidt's circus through Mr. Garble. They all know that you can never trust Mr. Garble and he's undoubtedly up to no good. Freddy sets out to solve the mystery of just who are the Martians and what is Mr. Garble up to now? My kids and I have loved every Freddy the Pig book. I wish the whole series was more well known to kids as it is fun, witty, and full of adventures. You never know what Freddy and the rest of Mr. Bean's animals will be up to next!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six martians have joined the local circus side show, and crowds are coming from miles around to view them, but is all as it seems? Hilarious and adorable story! Hooray for Freddy and his friends. This is the 3rd book in the series that I've read, and they are irresistible.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best Freddy, but the one that got me started when I was a kid. My kids thought it went on a bit too long. A fair assessment.

[Geoffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last okay-ish Freddy book, if you're willing to accept the science-fiction nonsense. Not a fan of Mr. Boomschmidt's brother, though. Not Brooks' greatest creation.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best summer read so far!!! A blast from summers past and remembering sitting outside in the tree and reading this beloved classic. Pick any Freddy the Pig book and you can't go wrong.

[Rick Vollmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

not just for kids

Clever, funny, and well written with inventive plotting and fully developed characters, human and animal. Missed these novels as a kid, loving them as an adult.

[Christopher Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved the Freddy books since boyhood but never read this one, i think because I was 12 when it was published and moving on to new horizons. so it's nice to be back with my old friends, even though this Freddy is not one of the greats.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book in the not so well known classic series of all time. Freddy the pig receives a message from his friend, Mr. Boom, the ringmaster in the circus, saying that one of his sideshow aliens is missing. Freddy jumps into the detective role to find the missing Martian and strengthen his rep as a detective.
This book is a children's book in some ways but the vocabulary is extensive and hilarious. Walter R. Brooks is one of the funniest authors I've ever read, along with Lemony Snicket and Elizabeth Enright. A must read!

[Valerie]

I have to admit to never having understood these books, and I'm not even sure which ones I read. Maybe I should try them again, but I'm not sure I'd understand them any better even now.

[Ron Tuohy]

The Freddy the Pig books are what got me reading more than comic books. This is a particularly good one, and I'll let it stand for the whole series.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. It's about how this Mr. Garble makes his own fake martians and then real martians come down to see what people thought were real martians and what happens.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it