The Fling

Hank the Cowdog #38

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

It's bad enough when Hank accidentally gets trapped in a cattle trailer and ends up stranded in town. Then he gets picked up by the local dog catcher and locked in a cage. But just when it looks like things couldn't get any worse, Hank meets up with Dogpound Ralph and the two dogs break free and strike out on the adventure of a lifetime. Suddenly, life just couldn't be any better. Or could it?

"The best family entertainment in years."
- USA Today .

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Adventure, Humor, Animals

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Codi Lessner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t care how
Old
I am I’ll never get tired of good ole Hank the cowdog.

[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.

[Mr · Rating 4 out of 5]

126 pages- Hank is the head of ranch security, he joined a dog named Ralph and they started the Fling. The Fling is when they do anything they want. They steal steaks and other meats.-Kara Rogers

[Catherine Molakal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really funny book

[Jerome Otte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hank is accidentally loaded onto a cattle truck after having several jokes at their expense. Fortunately he survives and escapes into a nearby town, where he meets an old friend. Humorous.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another laugh out loud Hank tail. I'm addicted.