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The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Magic & Mayhem
Things are not as they should be in Pennywhistle. Enchanted toasters are not toasting, enchanted sprinklers are not sprinkling and Hobart Hucklebuck's origami messenger birds are suddenly attacking him. Someone seems to be draining the power from all of the enchanted items in the village. But who could it be and why have they implicated Hobart's grandfather? "The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck" follows Hobart and his friends, Specks Spacklethack and Rosie Rumpleskirt, as they try to solve this mystery and free Hobart's grandfather from the Tower of Tribulation on Mumblemonk Mountain. The trio's investigation into the mysterious happenings on Druid Lane gets them into hot water more than once and ultimately brings them dangerously close to disaster not only for themselves, but the entire village of Pennywhistle.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 14, 2014
Review also on www.jolasbookshelf.wordpress.com
'The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Magic & Mayhem' is a fun story, full of magic and interesting characters. It's a perfect book for a younger readers, as it reminds me a bit of first Harry Potter books. The plot is gripping and you just can't wait to find out who the real villain is.
'The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Magic & Mayhem' is a fun story, full of magic and interesting characters. It's a perfect book for a younger readers, as it reminds me a bit of first Harry Potter books. The plot is gripping and you just can't wait to find out who the real villain is.
September 18, 2024
Move over Harry Potter, Hobart Hucklebuck is the new kid in the world of magic. In Magic and Mayhem, Stan Swanson brings to life a world of magic where everyday appliances and objects come “pre-enchanted” and the simple act of sweeping with a broom is considered the “old way”. Even the bread walks to the toaster and hops in on command. When all of this stops, Hobart’s little town turns upside down and his grandfather is blamed for all of the troubles and put in jail. Hobart and his two friends (and the town bully) decide to investigate and find out what is really going on. They often find themselves in a pickle, including a shrinking potion that goes haywire. This is the perfect book to get a tween to start reading. The world that Mr. Swanson has created is fun and creative, even down to the phrases the kids use such as something being “thermal” meaning it’s cool. I’ve read other books by this author and enjoyed them as much as I loved this one. Mr. Swanson’s ability to invent the characters’ names alone shows how invested he becomes in this world as he writes and it’s that reason that makes the reader want to become invested too. This would make a great television series and, at the very least, a great book series.
July 3, 2017
An enjoyable read to share with the kids. Well-paced and some cute characters. My 9-year-old was wrapped up in the plot and guessing about what was going to happen next; an engaging kid's book.
October 27, 2024
Good read for my grandson
October 11, 2014
There are misadventures. There is mayhem. And there is magic…but not from Hobart Hucklebuck. Poor Hobart, who is as sweet as can be, finds himself to be the least magical in his family, after being dropped off to spend his spring break with his grandfather in Pennywhistle.
It is a very unusual spring break for all of Pennywhistle. Over the course of days, Hobart, his family and his friends notice something very strange is going on in Druid Lane…and in fact, all of Pennywhistle. All of the enchanted items and appliances won’t work. Bread doesn’t magically dance across the counter and pop itself into the toaster, and it surely doesn’t butter itself when it comes out all toasty, either; pepper will give a dash to your dinner plate, but salt obstinately won’t budge; brooms and mops have lost their enchantments and must be used the old-fashioned way. And there has been a strange cat hanging around Druid Lane all of a sudden that Hobart keeps seeing.
Hobart’s grandfather, Wicksford Waxenbee, owns the Hocus Pocus Magic Shop on Druid Lane. It’s a magic shop, and in this magic shop are W..’s old potions and concoctions that went wrong, like Pixie Powder (aka Demon Dust). In one corner of the shop is an old mirror with a huge crack down the middle. This mirror suddenly becomes the interest of two different shop owners on Druid Lane.
Wicksford has several friends among the shop owners on Druid Lane, including his old pal from his potion making days, Beauregard Bladderblott. Hobart learns a lot about his grandfather’s younger days, including the story behind the Pixie Powder, and why his grandfather couldn’t sell it.
There’s one thing about Hobart, besides his non-magical abilities. Hobart is afraid of cats. Like, screech and squeek afraid. He has two friends, Specks and Rosie. Rosie is adventurous and bold, and Specks is a chicken with some good comeback lines. They stick together through good and bad, and when that meanie Pickwick Prattfall gets Rosie stuck to the ceiling in the defunct broom factory, it’s on!
But Pick turns out to not be the bully in this story…his dad is. Turns out his dad has a long-standing beef with Hobart’s grandfather from their days way back at the Bureau of Magic, and now has come Pernacious Prattfall’s collection day. Despite this animosity, Hobart welcome Pick into their gang after some heartfelt words on Prick’s part. That is what sealed the deal for me about Hobart, who stood up to his friends and allowed Pick, who had picked on them, teased them and been an all-around show-off snot to them, into the group.
----
“What’s going on here?”
The two boys glanced toward the end of the alley.
“Well, well,” Pick said as he hitched up his pants. “If it isn’t Rosie-Posie, too-darned-nosey.”
Rosie Rumpleskirt stood at the other end of the alley, hands placed firmly on hips in a familiar pose. She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for an explanation.
---
With his grandfather locked away, Hobart, Specks, Rosie and Pick are on a mission to investigate who is behind this madness in Pennywhistle. Among their top suspects are many of the shopkeepers of Druid Lane, including Wicksford’s best friend, Bladderblott. They start conducting their own investigations and seem to be getting nowhere…until something is stolen from the magic shop and that strange cat seems to know something about it all.
This book was a fantastic read and spoke volumes about friendship and loyalty. A wonderful middle grades book, and right in time as a reminder for the upcoming school year.
It is a very unusual spring break for all of Pennywhistle. Over the course of days, Hobart, his family and his friends notice something very strange is going on in Druid Lane…and in fact, all of Pennywhistle. All of the enchanted items and appliances won’t work. Bread doesn’t magically dance across the counter and pop itself into the toaster, and it surely doesn’t butter itself when it comes out all toasty, either; pepper will give a dash to your dinner plate, but salt obstinately won’t budge; brooms and mops have lost their enchantments and must be used the old-fashioned way. And there has been a strange cat hanging around Druid Lane all of a sudden that Hobart keeps seeing.
Hobart’s grandfather, Wicksford Waxenbee, owns the Hocus Pocus Magic Shop on Druid Lane. It’s a magic shop, and in this magic shop are W..’s old potions and concoctions that went wrong, like Pixie Powder (aka Demon Dust). In one corner of the shop is an old mirror with a huge crack down the middle. This mirror suddenly becomes the interest of two different shop owners on Druid Lane.
Wicksford has several friends among the shop owners on Druid Lane, including his old pal from his potion making days, Beauregard Bladderblott. Hobart learns a lot about his grandfather’s younger days, including the story behind the Pixie Powder, and why his grandfather couldn’t sell it.
There’s one thing about Hobart, besides his non-magical abilities. Hobart is afraid of cats. Like, screech and squeek afraid. He has two friends, Specks and Rosie. Rosie is adventurous and bold, and Specks is a chicken with some good comeback lines. They stick together through good and bad, and when that meanie Pickwick Prattfall gets Rosie stuck to the ceiling in the defunct broom factory, it’s on!
But Pick turns out to not be the bully in this story…his dad is. Turns out his dad has a long-standing beef with Hobart’s grandfather from their days way back at the Bureau of Magic, and now has come Pernacious Prattfall’s collection day. Despite this animosity, Hobart welcome Pick into their gang after some heartfelt words on Prick’s part. That is what sealed the deal for me about Hobart, who stood up to his friends and allowed Pick, who had picked on them, teased them and been an all-around show-off snot to them, into the group.
----
“What’s going on here?”
The two boys glanced toward the end of the alley.
“Well, well,” Pick said as he hitched up his pants. “If it isn’t Rosie-Posie, too-darned-nosey.”
Rosie Rumpleskirt stood at the other end of the alley, hands placed firmly on hips in a familiar pose. She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for an explanation.
---
With his grandfather locked away, Hobart, Specks, Rosie and Pick are on a mission to investigate who is behind this madness in Pennywhistle. Among their top suspects are many of the shopkeepers of Druid Lane, including Wicksford’s best friend, Bladderblott. They start conducting their own investigations and seem to be getting nowhere…until something is stolen from the magic shop and that strange cat seems to know something about it all.
This book was a fantastic read and spoke volumes about friendship and loyalty. A wonderful middle grades book, and right in time as a reminder for the upcoming school year.
August 9, 2014
3.5 Stars!
Hobart Hucklebuck lives in a world where objects do what they are told, creatures live and work down the street, and magic is practiced in the open. Magic is appreciated and an everyday part of life. But when bread stops listening, clocks stop telling time, and other enchanted items stop doing as they are told the world that Hobart lives in is thrown into disarray. No one knows what's happening and now everyone is a suspect, even Hobart's very own grandfather.
Hobart and his friends don't believe Hobarts grandfather, Wicksford is guilty and set out to find out the true guilty party.
Hobart is the grandson of a very powerful and talented mage, but seems rather untalented in the realm of magic himself. Throughout the tale Hobart's attempts at magic are embarrassing and at times close to disastrous. Him and his friends are misfits and make the perfect team to solve the mystery of the unenchanting items.
As they search for the culprit they know is in their midst, the band of friends find themselves in some very sticky situations with not a clue how to move forward. Everyone is a suspect and yet no one seems guilty. With one mistaken step Hobart stumbles upon the truth behind the magic draining items and the truth is shocking. It is a blow for Hobart and the entire community of Druid Lane.
Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck is a fun tale full of silly words and enchanting every day items, that enchant the reader as much as they enrich the story. The idea of items doing what they are told was marvelous. Talk about a lazy society. No longer did people have to use magic themselves, every item purchased came pre-enchanted to do what it was made to do. And when things go wrong, people find themselves doing things the old fashioned way, manually.
The tale of Hobart Hucklebuck was a cute tale that is perfect for a young reader looking for a magical adventure. Many of the character names, shop names and other town items resembled tongue twisters. Every character's first and last name starting with the same letter. I can only imagine how long it took Stan Swanson to come up with these names. I found them fun and entertaining.
Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck is the perfect summer read for the kid in love with magic and adventure. It is adorable, funny, and is a great tale of friendship and loyalty.
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Hobart Hucklebuck lives in a world where objects do what they are told, creatures live and work down the street, and magic is practiced in the open. Magic is appreciated and an everyday part of life. But when bread stops listening, clocks stop telling time, and other enchanted items stop doing as they are told the world that Hobart lives in is thrown into disarray. No one knows what's happening and now everyone is a suspect, even Hobart's very own grandfather.
Hobart and his friends don't believe Hobarts grandfather, Wicksford is guilty and set out to find out the true guilty party.
Hobart is the grandson of a very powerful and talented mage, but seems rather untalented in the realm of magic himself. Throughout the tale Hobart's attempts at magic are embarrassing and at times close to disastrous. Him and his friends are misfits and make the perfect team to solve the mystery of the unenchanting items.
As they search for the culprit they know is in their midst, the band of friends find themselves in some very sticky situations with not a clue how to move forward. Everyone is a suspect and yet no one seems guilty. With one mistaken step Hobart stumbles upon the truth behind the magic draining items and the truth is shocking. It is a blow for Hobart and the entire community of Druid Lane.
Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck is a fun tale full of silly words and enchanting every day items, that enchant the reader as much as they enrich the story. The idea of items doing what they are told was marvelous. Talk about a lazy society. No longer did people have to use magic themselves, every item purchased came pre-enchanted to do what it was made to do. And when things go wrong, people find themselves doing things the old fashioned way, manually.
The tale of Hobart Hucklebuck was a cute tale that is perfect for a young reader looking for a magical adventure. Many of the character names, shop names and other town items resembled tongue twisters. Every character's first and last name starting with the same letter. I can only imagine how long it took Stan Swanson to come up with these names. I found them fun and entertaining.
Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck is the perfect summer read for the kid in love with magic and adventure. It is adorable, funny, and is a great tale of friendship and loyalty.
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
October 13, 2014
This review was originally posted on Gin's Book Notes3.5 Stars
The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Magic & Mayhem
Hobart Hucklebuck is an awkward, somewhat clumsy, and a tad bit lazy 12 year old. His friends Specks Spacklethack and Rosie Rumpleskirt are a little on the nerdy side but the three of them make a great team and have grand plans for enjoying their week of spring break in Pennywhistle.
There is a great deal of fun, adventure, magic, and mayhem in book one of this great new middle grade series by Stan Swanson. The series is aimed at ages 8-12 but there is fun to be enjoyed for all ages. This would be a great story to read together as there are lots of opportunities for laughs, crazy voice usage, and wacky names to stumble over.
I loved that Hobart is respectful of his elders and enjoys listening to the stories his grandfather shares with him. You could tell that the two of them cared a great deal for each other. Their love for each other had me cheering for Hobart and his friends as they worked to free his grandfather, Wicksford Waxenbee, from the Tower of Tribulation.
I also found several valuable lessons tucked into the pages of the story. Manners, respect, laziness, and the value of learning from those older and wiser than you are a few of the things that I noticed. I loved how the author integrated these items into the story without being preachy or losing any of the fun.
I think this is a great book for young readers. It is a book that I would purchase for my son if he were still in the 8-12 age group and I have no doubt that he would've loved it.
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider voting for it on Amazon. Thank you!
Hobart Hucklebuck Website
The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Magic & Mayhem
Hobart Hucklebuck is an awkward, somewhat clumsy, and a tad bit lazy 12 year old. His friends Specks Spacklethack and Rosie Rumpleskirt are a little on the nerdy side but the three of them make a great team and have grand plans for enjoying their week of spring break in Pennywhistle.
There is a great deal of fun, adventure, magic, and mayhem in book one of this great new middle grade series by Stan Swanson. The series is aimed at ages 8-12 but there is fun to be enjoyed for all ages. This would be a great story to read together as there are lots of opportunities for laughs, crazy voice usage, and wacky names to stumble over.
I loved that Hobart is respectful of his elders and enjoys listening to the stories his grandfather shares with him. You could tell that the two of them cared a great deal for each other. Their love for each other had me cheering for Hobart and his friends as they worked to free his grandfather, Wicksford Waxenbee, from the Tower of Tribulation.
I also found several valuable lessons tucked into the pages of the story. Manners, respect, laziness, and the value of learning from those older and wiser than you are a few of the things that I noticed. I loved how the author integrated these items into the story without being preachy or losing any of the fun.
I think this is a great book for young readers. It is a book that I would purchase for my son if he were still in the 8-12 age group and I have no doubt that he would've loved it.
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider voting for it on Amazon. Thank you!
Hobart Hucklebuck Website
August 6, 2014
(I received a free copy of this book, from Curiosity Quills Press, in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
Having been given the opportunity to read a copy of this book, I found the cover to be quite intriguing and was quite happy to be able to read an advance copy of this.
The setting of the book was one that worked really well, in my opinion. I liked the reliance on enchanted objects throughout the course of the book, though I felt that the world wasn't explored as much as it could have been. I was uncertain about whether this was set in a parallel world to Earth, or just its own fantasy world altogether.
The technology (or enchanted items) in this book was quite cool, though I would have liked to see more of the history behind them. I also liked learning about the differences between the ordinary magic and the enchanted items. I would have liked to see a bit more of that.
The characters in this book were really well-written, I felt. Even Pick came across as a more well-rounded character than how he'd first appeared. I found it really easy to empathise with Hobart as a character and I particularly liked that he had his own likes and dislikes... though I don't understand how people can't like cats. (Well, until I remember my friend's new kitten who's scratched up my legs...)
I felt the mystery around this book worked really well, too. I would have liked a few more red herrings and to learn a bit more about the other characters, but this book was a simple, uncomplicated read that was really easy and quick.
I think this is a good book for younger readers. It's a creative world with engaging, young characters who I found easy to relate to. I'd probably check out a sequel to this book some time in the future.
(This review may contain spoilers).
Having been given the opportunity to read a copy of this book, I found the cover to be quite intriguing and was quite happy to be able to read an advance copy of this.
The setting of the book was one that worked really well, in my opinion. I liked the reliance on enchanted objects throughout the course of the book, though I felt that the world wasn't explored as much as it could have been. I was uncertain about whether this was set in a parallel world to Earth, or just its own fantasy world altogether.
The technology (or enchanted items) in this book was quite cool, though I would have liked to see more of the history behind them. I also liked learning about the differences between the ordinary magic and the enchanted items. I would have liked to see a bit more of that.
The characters in this book were really well-written, I felt. Even Pick came across as a more well-rounded character than how he'd first appeared. I found it really easy to empathise with Hobart as a character and I particularly liked that he had his own likes and dislikes... though I don't understand how people can't like cats. (Well, until I remember my friend's new kitten who's scratched up my legs...)
I felt the mystery around this book worked really well, too. I would have liked a few more red herrings and to learn a bit more about the other characters, but this book was a simple, uncomplicated read that was really easy and quick.
I think this is a good book for younger readers. It's a creative world with engaging, young characters who I found easy to relate to. I'd probably check out a sequel to this book some time in the future.
October 17, 2014
When Hobart tells his toast to jump into the toaster and nothing happens, he finds it odd but puts it down to a bad loaf! When more and more enchanted items cause trouble Hobart knows something is wrong. Then his Grandfather is thought to be guilty of causing the magical malfunction and arrested, Hobart knows its down to him to find the culprit. He enlists the help of his 2 friends, and an enemy, to help get to the bottom of the disaster but can they find the culprit in time?
Well this is such a fun cute read. My boys really enjoyed the story and my 4 year old loved the alliteration used. Not that he has any clue what alliteration is!! Lol. He just loved how all the names were funny.
What a fun bunch of characters in this book. All of them were well written and developed. My boys loved Hobart and said he was "brave" and "awesome" and they found it funny that he was so afraid of cats. They loved the specter that worked in Hobarts' Grandfathers shop and they also loved the different shop names. My 4 yr old asked would our bread butter itself if he asked and when I said no he said why not!!!
I really liked the plot and the sense of "who done it". All the shop owners could of caused the magical malfunction but its hard to know who did it and who is just plain strange!! The mystery plays out till the very end and with plenty of suspects it does come as a surprise when the culprit is revealed.
Overall this is a really fun, magical, adventurous read. My boys loved it and laughed a lot while I was reading it, which for me is a great sign!! They showed interest the whole way through the story and were constantly looking forward to seeing what Hobart would do next. Then when they asked when was the next one out I knew this was a winner for them!
Well this is such a fun cute read. My boys really enjoyed the story and my 4 year old loved the alliteration used. Not that he has any clue what alliteration is!! Lol. He just loved how all the names were funny.
What a fun bunch of characters in this book. All of them were well written and developed. My boys loved Hobart and said he was "brave" and "awesome" and they found it funny that he was so afraid of cats. They loved the specter that worked in Hobarts' Grandfathers shop and they also loved the different shop names. My 4 yr old asked would our bread butter itself if he asked and when I said no he said why not!!!
I really liked the plot and the sense of "who done it". All the shop owners could of caused the magical malfunction but its hard to know who did it and who is just plain strange!! The mystery plays out till the very end and with plenty of suspects it does come as a surprise when the culprit is revealed.
Overall this is a really fun, magical, adventurous read. My boys loved it and laughed a lot while I was reading it, which for me is a great sign!! They showed interest the whole way through the story and were constantly looking forward to seeing what Hobart would do next. Then when they asked when was the next one out I knew this was a winner for them!
October 17, 2014
This book was a lot of fun to read for an adult who never grew up. I can’t imagine the time it took to think up all the atypical tricks to tempt tweens—unsavory sounds like salamander sandwiches and fearful phrases like ferocious felines. I wonder if writing a wacky windfall of words was terrible trouble. My contention is that such invention includes a lot of imagination. Alliteration, assonance, and silly sounding names announce the magic messages among those teasing twisters to the tongue.
I noted two problems for adults, neither likely to bother tweens. The sentence structure is built like brick but stacked without the staggering trick. Along the wall, few opening clauses, windows placed to give us pauses. Also, too many people practice repeating speech patterns. Suffering succotash, such slews of similar sounds must stun some sensitive souls. However, if this much wordplay didn’t drive you nuts, you’re going to enjoy the book.
The plot provides plenty of perplexing predicaments, malarkey, mixed-up magic, mystery, malfeasance, malevolence, and mayhem. It’s a hoot of a “whodunit” wherein Hobart has obvious obstacles to overcome besides his muted magic. Suspicions spread like shooflies in sun.
Bully for creative characterization because the bully becomes a boon. Friends and enemies alike are entertaining. And after funny friends, there’s a fiendish foe, so you’ll never guess who is guilty—oh, no. Will Hobart save the day or will he run? Find out for yourself because this review is done.
For kids and the young at heart, four of five stars. I was provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I noted two problems for adults, neither likely to bother tweens. The sentence structure is built like brick but stacked without the staggering trick. Along the wall, few opening clauses, windows placed to give us pauses. Also, too many people practice repeating speech patterns. Suffering succotash, such slews of similar sounds must stun some sensitive souls. However, if this much wordplay didn’t drive you nuts, you’re going to enjoy the book.
The plot provides plenty of perplexing predicaments, malarkey, mixed-up magic, mystery, malfeasance, malevolence, and mayhem. It’s a hoot of a “whodunit” wherein Hobart has obvious obstacles to overcome besides his muted magic. Suspicions spread like shooflies in sun.
Bully for creative characterization because the bully becomes a boon. Friends and enemies alike are entertaining. And after funny friends, there’s a fiendish foe, so you’ll never guess who is guilty—oh, no. Will Hobart save the day or will he run? Find out for yourself because this review is done.
For kids and the young at heart, four of five stars. I was provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2014
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Hobart Hucklebuck lives in Pennywhistle where basically everything is enchanted and doing regular ol’ magic is passé. Forget about doing things the old-fashioned way. Residents rely on enchanted items to do everything and when the enchantments suddenly start acting up or stop working altogether they have no idea what to do. Tie their own shoes? Put bread in a toaster and then butter it? Themselves?! How absurd! Complaints start to pile up and when Hobart’s grandfather, Wicksford Waxenbee, is charged with screwing up the enchantments, Hobart decides he needs to find the real person responsible. He and his friends play detective with mixed results. How will Hobart prove his grandpa’s innocence if he sucks at detective work?
I have to say this is a fairly cute Middle Grade story. It reminds me a lot of Harry Potter only much more whimsical. All of the characters have alliterative names, the enchanted items are quite creative as are the names of places and things to eat and drink, there’s old fashioned magic, a mystery, some peril, a bit of inept detective work and great characters. Plus, cats. Who doesn’t love cats? Well, besides Hobart. If you’re a fan of MG books then I highly recommend this one. It’s quite an enjoyable read.
Hobart Hucklebuck lives in Pennywhistle where basically everything is enchanted and doing regular ol’ magic is passé. Forget about doing things the old-fashioned way. Residents rely on enchanted items to do everything and when the enchantments suddenly start acting up or stop working altogether they have no idea what to do. Tie their own shoes? Put bread in a toaster and then butter it? Themselves?! How absurd! Complaints start to pile up and when Hobart’s grandfather, Wicksford Waxenbee, is charged with screwing up the enchantments, Hobart decides he needs to find the real person responsible. He and his friends play detective with mixed results. How will Hobart prove his grandpa’s innocence if he sucks at detective work?
I have to say this is a fairly cute Middle Grade story. It reminds me a lot of Harry Potter only much more whimsical. All of the characters have alliterative names, the enchanted items are quite creative as are the names of places and things to eat and drink, there’s old fashioned magic, a mystery, some peril, a bit of inept detective work and great characters. Plus, cats. Who doesn’t love cats? Well, besides Hobart. If you’re a fan of MG books then I highly recommend this one. It’s quite an enjoyable read.
August 26, 2014
Hobart and his friends live in the town of Pennywhistle, and all of a sudden things go all wonky. Enchanted household items are not performing their tasks on command, which is highly inconvenient. As Hobart determines to get to the bottom of this (what else is there to do on spring break after all) he and his friends shrink down to the size of a pixie, explore the now defunct broom factory, and cautiously befriend the local bully. Things get dicey, though, when Hobart’s grandfather is accused of causing the trouble, and Hobart becomes more determined than ever to figure out the cause.
I was a little concerned that Hobart would basically be a more alliterative knock-off of Harry Potter, but I was pleasantly surprised in the plot and characters. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a book that I think better serves the tween crowd, but it is a cute, magical story about some kids fighting to clear Hobart’s grandfather’s good reputation. The characters were well-defined and the relationships realistic, just in a magical setting. All in all I think it’s a good light read for anyone who is a fan of the genre, particularly early chapter book readers who need short, engaging chunks of content.
I was a little concerned that Hobart would basically be a more alliterative knock-off of Harry Potter, but I was pleasantly surprised in the plot and characters. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a book that I think better serves the tween crowd, but it is a cute, magical story about some kids fighting to clear Hobart’s grandfather’s good reputation. The characters were well-defined and the relationships realistic, just in a magical setting. All in all I think it’s a good light read for anyone who is a fan of the genre, particularly early chapter book readers who need short, engaging chunks of content.
September 11, 2014
Always on the lookout for books that Ill want to add to my sons collection over the next few years, The Misadventures... caught my eye, and I'm glad it did! The book is full of a fun story, great names for both characters and locations, and has enough going on for an adult to enjoy while reading it to or with their child.
Looking for a bit of added magic in your life? The town of Pennywhistle wants to deliver just that. Only, the magic that surrounds them is not working quite as expected anymore.
We follow as Hobert Hucklebuck as he gathers his friends to solve the mystery of what unauthorized magic is being a nuisance to everyone around town. Only, he has to hurry. It looks as if Hobarts grandfather has been accused of the crime! Hobert knows his grandfather is innocent but how can he and his friends prove it?
Not quite a coming of age story we do see a young hero and his friends go through adventure as well as learn a couple of lessons along the way by the time they reach the end of the story.
This one is absolutely worth picking up if your son or daughter loves a world full of magic and wonder!
Looking for a bit of added magic in your life? The town of Pennywhistle wants to deliver just that. Only, the magic that surrounds them is not working quite as expected anymore.
We follow as Hobert Hucklebuck as he gathers his friends to solve the mystery of what unauthorized magic is being a nuisance to everyone around town. Only, he has to hurry. It looks as if Hobarts grandfather has been accused of the crime! Hobert knows his grandfather is innocent but how can he and his friends prove it?
Not quite a coming of age story we do see a young hero and his friends go through adventure as well as learn a couple of lessons along the way by the time they reach the end of the story.
This one is absolutely worth picking up if your son or daughter loves a world full of magic and wonder!
October 16, 2014
Hobart is a rollicking good time of a book with hilarious characters and the funnest writing style with cool made up words that roll off the tongue like muckenslush mush, Quoquandriak and Herman
Hemperdink! You know when a book opens with magic bread that won't jump into the toaster that you are in for a good time!!
Stan Swanson dedicates the book to his grandchildren so obviously he is familiar with telling stories and in Hobart he tells a great one. I enjoyed reading the book and my kids LOVED it. It's cute without being 'cutesy', the plot is loads of fun and the writing is outstanding. There is magic but it's fun magic not mean magic if you know what I mean!!
Some of the kids are Hobart's friends, even when he's not sure he even has any friends! I liked the way the 'girl' and the mean bully kid parts of the story were handled. Hobart and his grandfather are terrific and the ending was super sweet!!! I was given a copy of this book for review but the opinion is my own-it is a 5 star read for all ages and I encourage you to read it!!
Hemperdink! You know when a book opens with magic bread that won't jump into the toaster that you are in for a good time!!
Stan Swanson dedicates the book to his grandchildren so obviously he is familiar with telling stories and in Hobart he tells a great one. I enjoyed reading the book and my kids LOVED it. It's cute without being 'cutesy', the plot is loads of fun and the writing is outstanding. There is magic but it's fun magic not mean magic if you know what I mean!!
Some of the kids are Hobart's friends, even when he's not sure he even has any friends! I liked the way the 'girl' and the mean bully kid parts of the story were handled. Hobart and his grandfather are terrific and the ending was super sweet!!! I was given a copy of this book for review but the opinion is my own-it is a 5 star read for all ages and I encourage you to read it!!
August 17, 2014
When normal everyday items seem to lose their enchantment, Hobart’s granddad becomes the one accused and convicted. It is up to Hobart and his friends to find the real culprit. But in a town like Pennywhistle where magic is everywhere, that won’t be so easy to do.
This was such a cute little story. Young readers should enjoy it immensely. If you think Hobart Hucklebuck is a funny name, you should read some of the other names in the book. I think that was the most enjoyable part of it to me, listening to myself pronounce each name. I thought I knew who the mystery culprit was, more than once. Alas, all my suspects were wrong. That shows true talent. This is the second book by this author that I have read, and I liked it as much as the first. His humor and colorful characters are always interesting.
This was such a cute little story. Young readers should enjoy it immensely. If you think Hobart Hucklebuck is a funny name, you should read some of the other names in the book. I think that was the most enjoyable part of it to me, listening to myself pronounce each name. I thought I knew who the mystery culprit was, more than once. Alas, all my suspects were wrong. That shows true talent. This is the second book by this author that I have read, and I liked it as much as the first. His humor and colorful characters are always interesting.
August 7, 2014
Review: THE MISADVENTURES OF HOBART HUCKLEBUCK
I think almost everyone (except the always graceful and talented--not most of us) can identify with the hapless youngster Hobart HUCKLEBUCK. Some readers will shiveringly resonate to poor Hobart's ailurophobia (terror of cats) and others with his ready distraction and clumsiness. Middle grade and upper elementary readers will surely delight: girls in the magical environment, boys in his adventures and the silly names of people and objects. Altogether, Hobart's misadventures are winners.
I think almost everyone (except the always graceful and talented--not most of us) can identify with the hapless youngster Hobart HUCKLEBUCK. Some readers will shiveringly resonate to poor Hobart's ailurophobia (terror of cats) and others with his ready distraction and clumsiness. Middle grade and upper elementary readers will surely delight: girls in the magical environment, boys in his adventures and the silly names of people and objects. Altogether, Hobart's misadventures are winners.
October 7, 2014
Review to come
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