The Case of the Burrowing Robot

Hank the Cowdog #42

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

It's been twenty years since the first Hank the Cowdog book was published, and the series has been going strong ever since. Hank has faced every hardship imaginable-natural disaster, disease, and all kinds of monsters. But in The Case of the Burrowing Robot , he finds himself up against a creature he's never seen before-and boy is it scary! Someone-or something, a bizarre robot with beady eyes and a full suit of armor-is digging up the garden. Hank is on the case immediately, but before he can put an end to the armored creature's antics, he gets blamed for the crime. Can Hank dig his way out of this mess, or has he burrowed too deep? Find out in the latest adventure starring everyone's favorite Head of Ranch Security.

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Mystery, Juvenile, Humor

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

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

[Chad Hailey]

It was a very good and readable screen!

[Vanessa Dargain · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unauthorized something other is burrowing into Sally Mae's garden
The ranch security head has to find it before he gets the blame for the
damage . . . Caution . The unauthorized something or other may a"Armatunafisho" from outer space .

[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.

[Merceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about an armadillo digging up the newly planted garden, and how Hank managed to tear up the garden trying to get to the armadillo who was actually a burrowing robot was outer space, in his opinion.

[Mona M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really funny. Great for a good laugh. :)