Slim's Good-bye

Hank the Cowdog #34

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

Hard times have hit the ranch. When Loper heads to town to meet with the banker, Slim decides to hit the road in search of a new job. But little does Slim know that the Head of Ranch Security and his faithful sidekick have stowed away in the back of his pickup. Before they know it, they're putting down paws in a new town. And when Slim's new job lands Hank the unfortunate position of Head of Chicken House security, Hank decides that this new life is for the birds. Will he ever see the ranch again? "The best family entertainment in years." --USA Today

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Comedy, Mystery, Animals, Adventure, Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

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]

Another great Hank book. Never get tired of his shenanigans.

[Kassidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of my favorite Hank books! I love that Hank and Drover are together throughout the whole story! It’s a good one!

[Lea Beall · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story, we get a glimpse into a poignant situation and how cowboy's live in desperate times, which isn't that much different than the status quo!
The scenery changes and the setting, for a change. The usual comic dialogue between Drover and Hank occurs, but it is never typical and always side-splitting. Is Slim going to be taken to jail by the Canadian Mounties? Will the dogs get any supper in these difficult times? Will Hank's lesson in humility change his outlook on life?
This story is amusing, pleasing, endearing, and humorous.
The reader is always wondering literally, what's around the corner and how the situation will be resolved. Will Hank get back to the ranch? Will Slim?
This story keeps the reader laughing.

[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.

[KarenMLISt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter read many titles in this series (sometimes reading aloud w/ her dad and LOL'ing A LOT). We listened to this one on a road trip and enjoyed LOL'ing together. What could be better than a delightful story narrated by the author himself? Highly recommend, esp. if you love dogs!

[Ms. Mielke's Class Make sure you post how your sheets tell you to!!!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was one of my favorite books that I have read. It put everything together really nice. My favorite part of the book was when the 2 dogs hitched a ride in the back of the pickup when Slim was leaving.

SH

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Hank the Cowdog. What more needs to be said?!!

[Ig-88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got scared that slim was actually gonna leave. Im so glad he didn’t, although sometimes i feel bad for hank and drover when he is kinda rude to them, although it is funny sometimes.