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According to Humphrey #10
Secrets According to Humphrey
Humphrey is back in his tenth adventure in the beloved middle-grade series! So many secrets are flying around Room 26 that Humphrey can barely keep track. Mrs. Brisbane knows a student is leaving, but Humphrey can't figure out which one. (Even more confusing, Mrs. Brisbane seems unsqueakably happy about it.) The class is studying the Ancient Egyptians, and some of the kids have made up secret clubs and secret codes. Even Aldo is holding back news from Humphrey. Humphrey's job as classroom pet is to help his humans solve their problems, but all these secrets are making it HARD-HARD-HARD!
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2014
153 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Betty G. Birney
136 books184 followersFrom kindergarten through graduation, I attended school in Affton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Then I graduated from Webster College (now Webster University) in Webster Groves, Missouri. Of course, I majored in English and kept on writing.
After working in advertising in St. Louis, Missouri and in Chicago, Illinois, I eventually moved to Southern California. First, I worked for Disneyland (fun job!) in the advertising department. The monorail whizzed past my window all day long. Then I worked at the Disney Studio in Burbank, where I had another fun job, writing and producing television and radio commercials and theatrical trailers (previews of coming attractions) for everything from re-releases of "Cinderella" and "Fantasia" to "Tex."
When the Disney Channel was started, I became a writer and story editor for WELCOME TO POOH CORNER. Since then, I've written more than 200 episodes of animated and live-action television programs including MADELINE, DOUG, BOBBY'S WORLD, DUMBO'S CIRCUS, THE PUZZLE PLACE, CAMP CANDY, LITTLE MOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, WHERE'S WALDO, FRAGGLE ROCK and ZOOBILEE ZOO. That's right, I write cartoons! I also wrote a number of award-winning afterschool specials and many interactive CD-ROM programs, including the award-winning "Berenstain Bears on their Own," "Richard Scarry's Busiest Neighborhood Ever," and "The Crayon Factory."
A made-for-television family movie I wrote, MARY CHRISTMAS, starring John Schneider, Cynthia Gibb and Tom Bosley, aired on the PAX network in 2002. It was the highest rated movie in PAX history and has aired each Christmas season since then.
I have been fortunate enough to win a Writer's Guild of America Award and three Humanitas Prizes (as well as two other nominations). In 2002, I won a Daytime Emmy Award for MADELINE, after two previous Emmy nominations. More recently, I received the Christopher Award for FRIENDSHIP ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY, many children's choice awards for THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY and was inducted into the Affton (MO) School District Hall of Fame.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 16, 2024
I love Humphrey!
January 4, 2017
I am still trying to read all the Humphrey books. This one was next on my list!
This book is all about secrets, and about Ancient Egypt. I loved how well it all connected together, and how everything came together in the end.
However, I do think this one was one of the lesser books in this series. Humphrey already has quite a big ego, but it is getting bigger in this one. Come on, you are already a magical hamster (I would call Humphrey magical for being able to do all the things normal hamsters can't do), no need to get any more special. I also didn't quite like how he didn't like people not telling him everything. That is how secrets work. I also couldn't get why he, in all his wisdom, didn't get that the teacher would be sad if one of her students left.
Of course he did some nice things, and I did like him, but it does get a bit annoying at times.
The secret clubs? It is quite nice, but I wasn't all that delighted that they were leaving people out. Not even bothering to ask if they were included in something.
Before I start with some of the good stuff, I do want to mention that there were a few mistakes in the text. For instance: The Nile runs through 11 countries, not 10. And it is still up to discussion whether or not it is the longest in the world. I also noticed some mistakes in the sentences. Such a shame, I would think that such a series as this would be checked better.
I loved the fact the class did Ancient Egypt as a topic. It sounded so much fun, especially when the class was split in several groups each of them doing their own Egypt-related thing. The end results for each group were fantastic, they really worked hard on it.
The book club, what a fun idea! I am sure lots of kids will join the club. I would have joined it if I was that age and in that class/school.
We also meet again the teacher who bought Humphrey at first. She really gets a prominent role in this one, and I was so happy. Also nice that she consulted Humphrey in a way about a classroom pet.
The ending, and what happened there? I was delighted, but also sad, I will miss that character, but I am happy for her that she got her wish.
All in all, I did enjoy the book and I will definitely continue with the series.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
This book is all about secrets, and about Ancient Egypt. I loved how well it all connected together, and how everything came together in the end.
However, I do think this one was one of the lesser books in this series. Humphrey already has quite a big ego, but it is getting bigger in this one. Come on, you are already a magical hamster (I would call Humphrey magical for being able to do all the things normal hamsters can't do), no need to get any more special. I also didn't quite like how he didn't like people not telling him everything. That is how secrets work. I also couldn't get why he, in all his wisdom, didn't get that the teacher would be sad if one of her students left.
Of course he did some nice things, and I did like him, but it does get a bit annoying at times.
The secret clubs? It is quite nice, but I wasn't all that delighted that they were leaving people out. Not even bothering to ask if they were included in something.
Before I start with some of the good stuff, I do want to mention that there were a few mistakes in the text. For instance: The Nile runs through 11 countries, not 10. And it is still up to discussion whether or not it is the longest in the world. I also noticed some mistakes in the sentences. Such a shame, I would think that such a series as this would be checked better.
I loved the fact the class did Ancient Egypt as a topic. It sounded so much fun, especially when the class was split in several groups each of them doing their own Egypt-related thing. The end results for each group were fantastic, they really worked hard on it.
The book club, what a fun idea! I am sure lots of kids will join the club. I would have joined it if I was that age and in that class/school.
We also meet again the teacher who bought Humphrey at first. She really gets a prominent role in this one, and I was so happy. Also nice that she consulted Humphrey in a way about a classroom pet.
The ending, and what happened there? I was delighted, but also sad, I will miss that character, but I am happy for her that she got her wish.
All in all, I did enjoy the book and I will definitely continue with the series.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
February 8, 2024
3.5 stars
Jon rates this 5 stars
Jon rates this 5 stars
November 4, 2018
Learning something new can sometimes make people glad to learn it. Without learning new things, nobody would know anything in this world, but there was somebody who was really curious to learn new things and this character’s name is Humphrey. Humphrey, the main character in Secrets According to Humphrey, by Betty G. Birney is a classroom pet and he loves to know new things and is always curious about them, but one day the teacher put these weird words on the board that were apparently based on Egypt.
Humphrey’s problem was to investigate these words out without any of his classmates knowing. He also needed to find out who was leaving from his classroom because he liked everybody as a friend. If he doesn’t fix his problems soon enough, he will have a big problem, which would be that one his friends will be gone and he won’t know what those words mean.
This book would be great for kids that are curious about almost everything. Curious kids should pick this book off the shelf because the main character is always curious about things. This book also involves friendship, how it can really change you. Something interesting about this book is that you can learn about Egypt and this book is funny. Funny is a word to describe this book because Humphrey acts very funny.
Humphrey’s problem was to investigate these words out without any of his classmates knowing. He also needed to find out who was leaving from his classroom because he liked everybody as a friend. If he doesn’t fix his problems soon enough, he will have a big problem, which would be that one his friends will be gone and he won’t know what those words mean.
This book would be great for kids that are curious about almost everything. Curious kids should pick this book off the shelf because the main character is always curious about things. This book also involves friendship, how it can really change you. Something interesting about this book is that you can learn about Egypt and this book is funny. Funny is a word to describe this book because Humphrey acts very funny.
October 3, 2024
Another FUN read with great lessons weaved in. This is one of my favorite Humphrey books since it addresses one of my soap boxes.... Making people feel left out...
I love learning little educational facts in these stories too! I wish I'd have known about these books when our older girls were younger, but I'm so thankful to have them for Ellie.
I highly recommend this series. They make great read aloud books for younger children and excellent reading material for confident readers.
There's a small series called Humphrey's Tiny Tales which are great for less confident readers.
Oh and the Og the Frog series is great too. I just haven't read as many of those.
Thanks Betty G Birney!!!
I love learning little educational facts in these stories too! I wish I'd have known about these books when our older girls were younger, but I'm so thankful to have them for Ellie.
I highly recommend this series. They make great read aloud books for younger children and excellent reading material for confident readers.
There's a small series called Humphrey's Tiny Tales which are great for less confident readers.
Oh and the Og the Frog series is great too. I just haven't read as many of those.
Thanks Betty G Birney!!!
March 29, 2023
This was cute, I liked it. Not sure I loved it, but I could see young elementary students liking this book. This one dealt with the students creating "secret" clubs and only leaving out a few students and how that hurts feelings. There were lots of other types of "secrets" in the book too, some good (surprise) and some personal so it had a decent message about what should be thought of as a secret and what shouldn't. I think I have at least one other, maybe two others in the series and I will read those too.
May 17, 2022
I was not expecting to finish this one today especially since I just started it this morning but I guess with school being out and having so much time it makes sense.
Just like the others, very cute and I loved the introduction of Gigi the Guinea pig at the end.
Only one more Humphrey book left to go now, I am starting to feel a little sad that I'll be saying goodbye to Humphrey soon. I look forward to reading something new too :)
Just like the others, very cute and I loved the introduction of Gigi the Guinea pig at the end.
Only one more Humphrey book left to go now, I am starting to feel a little sad that I'll be saying goodbye to Humphrey soon. I look forward to reading something new too :)
December 27, 2020
Finished this much earlier in the year and just didn't log it.
These are not particularly enjoyable for me- my daughter liked them and we read a couple of these but she's outgrown them and I'll be relieved not to read another one.
They are very decent books and definitely appeal to younger kids; they just don't have that crossover appeal for adults.
These are not particularly enjoyable for me- my daughter liked them and we read a couple of these but she's outgrown them and I'll be relieved not to read another one.
They are very decent books and definitely appeal to younger kids; they just don't have that crossover appeal for adults.
March 27, 2025
My younger daughter and I continue to LOVE-LOVE-LOVE reading this series together. We both enjoyed the Egyptian theme and learning about the hieroglyphics the students created to communicate with each other and the riddle the students were assigned for homework. Humphrey continues to be CUTE-CUTE-CUTE. Looking forward to #11.
August 14, 2017
Listening to audiobooks narrated in first-person-hamster is not for the feint of heart. That being said, this was unsqueakably cute and had some valuable, if a trifle heavy-pawed, social skills lessons included.
September 3, 2017
This one feels pretty forced, especially when it realizes that there aren't enough kids in the new class, so it just introduced random children. And the message about being inclusive felt very forced.
April 19, 2018
I liked this book because I think it was very funny how Humphrey talked by repeating stuff like "squeak, squeak, squeak". I didn't like this book because it was very annoying how Humphrey didn't know anything.
September 18, 2021
There are some good lessons to be had from a book from the point of view of a hamster. The kids start setting up secret clubs to exclude each other. Humphrey learns a lot about Egypt and Miss Mac gets a new classroom pet!
December 15, 2023
Children's animal fiction, part of a series. This book in the Humphrey series deals with secrets-- news that can't be shared yet, surprises, and secret clubs-- and how secrets can make others feel.
May 5, 2024
Per the kid the book was good. He liked that phoebe got to go home with her parents. He liked Humphrey helping Gigi. He didn’t like all the secret clubs because they left people out.
I’m still enjoying the series. Looking forward to find out what Humphrey will get up to next.
I’m still enjoying the series. Looking forward to find out what Humphrey will get up to next.
July 3, 2017
Rated by Drew
January 21, 2018
WAS DA CUTEST THING EVERRR
December 8, 2019
We read this as a book club selection. We learned so much from reading this and discussing how it mirrored some issues in our classroom. We have decided that Humphrey is a very smart hamster indeed.
May 31, 2020
Fun read as always. My boys love this series and the adventure of this fun little hamster.
October 21, 2020
Lots of fun secrets in this one. The kids really liked it, and I enjoyed reading it to them. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some adventures with Gigi in the future! 😁
January 23, 2021
Fabulous and wonderful. You can learn a lot from Humphrey
December 24, 2021
It was a great book! Humphrey was a great book series for me to read to somehow cope with my trauma
May 7, 2022
I read this book to my 7 year old son. Super adorable and fun!
October 14, 2022
It was funny and it had lots of amazing adjectives.
March 8, 2023
Another 5 star adventure told by room 24s most famous student, Humphrey the hamster! Fun read for k-3 grade students. He’s lovable, a little bold, and a lot funny!
Read
June 23, 2024A fun read-aloud with my seven-year-old.
February 19, 2025
It's so funny how it's at a hamsters point of view and that he's so smart
September 10, 2025
Really cute chapter book for kids!
November 14, 2014
One of the better books in the series!
In this installment, secrets run amok. First, Mrs. Brisbane and Principal Morales have a big secret that will be revealed eventually, but Humphrey is dying of curiosity in the meantime. Then, small groups of kids start forming secret clubs, feelings get hurt, and we all get a good lesson about not excluding others. One student has a bit of a problem that he keeps secret, and Humphrey plays a significant role in helping him to overcome it. Even Aldo has a secret, but it's not very important, just one more thing for Humphrey to wonder about. I liked that the secrets were all reasonably believable and relatable.
My 6-year-old son LOVES Humphrey, and he was pretty bummed about this being the last book in the series. Luckily, he saw a "Coming soon!" advertisement in one of the books about Imagination According to Humphrey, which will be published in 2015, so at least we have that to look forward to.
In this installment, secrets run amok. First, Mrs. Brisbane and Principal Morales have a big secret that will be revealed eventually, but Humphrey is dying of curiosity in the meantime. Then, small groups of kids start forming secret clubs, feelings get hurt, and we all get a good lesson about not excluding others. One student has a bit of a problem that he keeps secret, and Humphrey plays a significant role in helping him to overcome it. Even Aldo has a secret, but it's not very important, just one more thing for Humphrey to wonder about. I liked that the secrets were all reasonably believable and relatable.
My 6-year-old son LOVES Humphrey, and he was pretty bummed about this being the last book in the series. Luckily, he saw a "Coming soon!" advertisement in one of the books about Imagination According to Humphrey, which will be published in 2015, so at least we have that to look forward to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews