The Case of the Garbage Monster from Outer Space

Hank the Cowdog #32

by John R. Erickson, Gerald L. Holmes (Illustrator)

Someone has been raiding Sally May's garbage barrels! Hank knows the crime is the work of a notorious gang of raccoons, but in a tragic case of mistaken identity, the Head of Ranch Security is himself forced to take the heat. Even more trouble lies ahead. Rip and Snort, the good-for-nothing coyote brothers, are planning to pull an even bigger job. Not only is Hank powerless to stop them, he's forced to fight on the side of evil?and must contend with terrifying forces!

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Adventure, Middle Grade

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

John R. Erickson, a former cowboy and ranch manager, is gifted with a storyteller's knack for spinning a yarn. Through the eyes of Hank the Cowdog, a smelly, smart-aleck Head of Ranch Security, Erickson gives readers a glimpse of daily life on a ranch in the West Texas Panhandle. This series of books and tapes is in school libraries across the country, has sold more than 7.6 million copies, is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and is the winner of the 1993 Audie for Outstanding Children's Series from the Audio Publisher's Association. Publishers Weekly calls Hank a "grassroots publishing phenomena," and USA Today says this is "the best family entertainment in years."

Hank the Cowdog made his debut in the pages of The Cattleman, a magazine for adults, and when Erickson started getting "Dear Hank" letters, he knew he was onto something. So in 1983, he self-published 2,000 copies of The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, and they sold out in 6 weeks.

When teachers began inviting Erickson to their schools, Hank found his most eager fans. Teachers, librarians, and students alike love Hank. According to some Texas Library Association surveys, the Hank the Cowdog books are the most popular selections in many libraries' children's sections. The lively characters make excellent material for reading and writing lessons, and turn even the most reluctant readers into avid Hank-fans.

Erickson was born in Midland, Texas, but by the age of 3, he had moved with his family to Perryton, Texas, where he and his wife live today on their working cattle ranch. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. His advice to young writers is, "Write about something you know. Try to leave your readers better off than they were before."

Reviews

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed several Hank the Cowdog stories over the years, I was pleased when my 4-year-old sister pulled The Garbage Monster from Outer Space off the bookshelf one afternoon, and asked that we have it as our next bedtime story. When I agreed, she immediately sat down and paged through the whole book, studying the pictures and getting a kick out of the story she deduced from them. After that, she couldn’t wait for us to read the book—she’d figured out the punchline from the pictures, and wanted to see how that worked out in the story—and although it took over a month for us to get through the book, I think it ended up being one of her more favorite bedtime stories recently.

This book follows the same sort of theme as all the other Hank the Cowdog books—Hank acts the part of a dunce; he gets into a pile of trouble, runs up against some terrible enemies (personally, I think the coyote brothers are hilarious!), and generally isn’t nearly as smart as he thinks he is.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fast, easy, fun read. I particularly like the way Erickson plays with the English language—just enough to add a little more humor to the story. If you’re looking for a good series to read aloud, I’d recommend this series, although I’m not sure how appropriate they are as bedtime stories for more sensitive children. For my sister, it was perfect—and she was quite disappointed on the nights when we didn’t have enough time to read another chapter!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hank the cow dog, and Head of Ranch Security, finds himself accused of knocking over garbage cans, and decides to leave the ranch, and live the life of an outlaw. He soon discovers the outlaw life isn't what he expected when he teams up with Rip and Snort, the coyote brothers and finds himself in over his head.

[Melia · Rating 1 out of 5]

read this with the child I nanny and hated it. no real storyline and racist stereotypes!!

[Dismitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were so incredibly hilarious to me as a kid and this one in particular was my fav

[DocHolidavid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ol’ John R. Erickson has done it again.

JR’s tales take Tyron Smith’s strength, King Solomon’s wits, the heart of a gladiator, the agility of a gymnast, and the smarts of Sherlock Holmes and rolls them into Hank who looms above Gatsby, Pi Patel, and Moby Dick. Then he weaves spine tingling tales which make Goldman’s "Marathon Man" look like a bedtime story.

In "The Garbage Monster from Outer Space," Hank struggles with the most demanding and perilous job in the West, Head of Ranch Security. He confronts false accusation, betrayal, backsliding friends and an unfair boss. Laughing at every page you'll realize it’s all reminiscent of your life which is what makes Hank so real.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so funny! They give me a big laugh!! I think you would like it, Jenna. My favorite is the first one that I read. There are 39 of them, but they are all great books. They are just so funny!! He thinks he's head of ranch security, and just the way he is is hilarious.

[Darryl Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read pretty much this entire series years ago after I descovered them in my elementary school libary. The plot, and characters are great. Plus these books are extremly funny. I loved this series then and I still love it.

[Cws]

JM4 Eri

[Wyatt Schuelke]

This is a very good book and i recommend that you read it.

[Tyler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Own

[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh. Eddy is such a sneak. Poor Hank!!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book to read as a kid, has you crying from so much laughing!

[Tisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about as good as the title sounds. Finlay really enjoyed it though.