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Hank the Cowdog #32

The Garbage Monster from Outer Space

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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!

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1999

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Gerald L. Holmes

89 books5 followers

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5 stars
132 (39%)
4 stars
75 (22%)
3 stars
105 (31%)
2 stars
19 (5%)
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5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Esther Filbrun.
670 reviews30 followers
July 12, 2024
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!
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,208 reviews31 followers
May 27, 2019
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.
Profile Image for Melia.
17 reviews
August 13, 2020
read this with the child I nanny and hated it. no real storyline and racist stereotypes!!
Profile Image for Dismitz.
5 reviews
January 28, 2024
These books were so incredibly hilarious to me as a kid and this one in particular was my fav
Profile Image for DocHolidavid.
146 reviews6 followers
October 8, 2016
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.
Profile Image for Christian.
112 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2010
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.
Profile Image for Darryl Cole.
130 reviews
July 12, 2011
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.
Profile Image for SSM.
124 reviews
July 22, 2025
Ugh. Eddy is such a sneak. Poor Hank!!
Profile Image for Tisha.
1,302 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2015
This book is about as good as the title sounds. Finlay really enjoyed it though.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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