Adventure According to Humphrey

According to Humphrey #5

by Betty G. Birney

The fifth book in the beloved and award-winning school hamster series!

The students in Room 26 are learning about boats and building their own for a race on Potter's Pond. Humphrey the hamster loves dreaming about being a pirate and watching his friends build ships. But when he mistakenly ends up at sea on the day of the boat race, he finds himself in the middle of more adventure than he bargained for! Humphrey is back in this charming story of a hamster on the high seas of hilarity.

Look for all twelve of Humphrey's adventures!

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Chapter Books, Fantasy, School, Juvenile

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2008

About the author

From 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.

Reviews

[Ben Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE Humphrey! I was so happy that I wasn’t in the boat at Potter’s Pond! I would’ve hated that! That’s almost as bad as a bath! Anyway, another great Humphrey book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humphrey was the pet hamster in his class.His class was learning about boats and were going to have a field trip to a pond and see if there boats float. Kirk and Richie were paired together and they had hard time working together. They put Humphrey in great danger.Does Humphrey survive the adventure?
I like this book because its easy but i love how they get into Humphrey's mind and tell you what he is thinking.I would not just recommend this book to 1 person i would recommend this to people that aren't that advanced or just like animals or adventure.

[Aneesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finely crafted books. We could all learn something from Humphrey.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun story in the Humprhey series by Betty G. Birney. I introduced my oldest to these books when I brought the first one home from England as a present. She has really taken to these books and I am so grateful, since she's read virtually nothing but fairy books for the last two years. We both read these books separately and then discuss the plots and themes. These books involve a class of third graders and the stories have a lot of moral lessons that are very age appropriate for children this age.

This book has a lot of nautical themes to it, with boat building and pirates and a fun class field trip to a pond. As always, Humphrey learns a lot and finds ways to help his friends. We are both looking forward to the next book.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the other books in the series, this was a delightful read. Read this series and you'll look at your hamster in a whole new light. Humphrey is a great character. He cares about his human classmates. He wants to help them through their troubles and trials. Kids will identify with his eagerness to have adventures, try new things and also with his fears. If you are looking for books to help with character education, this is a good series. Humphrey gets the messages across without being preachy about it.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is from the Humphrey series. Humphrey is a classroom hamster in room 26. It is very funny, and told from Humphrey's point of view. It allows us to experience what life is like for a pet, and what goes on when we (the owners) are not around. It is a story that all grades would enjoy read-aloud! It could especially be used to acompany a unit on boats or pirates. It even has pirate information, phrases, and ways to make a boat at the end of the book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humphrey is a very funny hamster who lives in a school classroom and can't wait for adventures. He visits the homes of various students in his class, and even explores the school (Humphrey can open the lid of his home).

The kids were likable and realistic. This felt a bit more relevant than the "Mouse and the Motorcycle" even though I love that book too.

I listened to this on my phone, borrowed from Overdrive.

[Stephen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great bedtime story!

I read Humphrey to my son (age 8 & 1/2) every night I have him. Out loud, each chapter is about 20 minutes. The stories are fun/engaging and have great messages.

My only complaint is that the author doesn’t use the Oxford comma. :-)

I’m looking forward to the next story.

I would love to see Humphrey in a movie or TV show. The books are that good.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting is a school. The main character is Humphrey. Humphrey is a hamster. He kept sneaking to the library. He wanted to go on a boat race. The boat he was on sunk. He made it to the shore safely. Mr. Fitch, the librarian, gave Humphrey a library card.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot to mark this as read. I have been breezing through this cute series! Humphrey is so adorable with his sense of adventure but then his inhibition in staying safe as a hamster. The little dear!

[Sarah Beneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Humphrey books are so great - my son and I have a hard time picking our favorite so far! This one was just what the title indicates--one adventure after another. There are many pirate references which add another element of fun. Humphrey doesn't disappoint!

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

three words: shimber me timbers !!!!

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading these books to my boys! Cute stories with a lesson.

[Sumaiya Rehman]

good 3 star rating

[Sumaiya Rehman]

blah good

[Justin Chiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 6-year-old boy for sure would give this book 5 stars, just like all the others!

Humphrey continues to be an entertaining character, and in this book, he certainly did get himself into some adventurous exploits. As usual, he's able to assist a few of his student friends and help them through their troubles.

For me, this installment fell short of a potential 4-star rating because I thought Humphrey acted out of character in a couple ways. First, even though Mrs. Brisbane actually explained why hamsters shouldn't get wet, Humphrey dreamed of being on an actual boat, despite the possibility of coming dangerously close to water. It was especially odd because in a previous book (I can't remember which one), Humphrey had a pretty frightening incident involving almost getting wet while at a student's house, and I seem to remember Humphrey stating pretty clearly in that book that he didn't like water.

Secondly, for a clever hamster who is always big on Plans, I found it really hard to believe that he would accidentally fall asleep while out of his cage. He's much too cautious and careful to do something like that! It would have made a lot more sense if Humphrey actually came up with the idea of stowing away on one of the boats in order to go on the field trip.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book Adventure According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney.

Humphrey was a class pet at a school and and he loved adventures, and the class was taking a field trip to a pond, and they got to make boats! And Humphrey had a dream to become a sailor so he went on a boat, and before he knew it he was floating on water! Read to find out what happens next.

I liked Adventure According to Humphrey because it talks about adventure and positive attitude. It also talks about problems that get solved in a creative way.

I recommend this book to kids in 4th grade who like adventures, and who likes funny characters with a lot of personality in them with creativity.

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember when I read the first Humphrey book in fourth grade! I read all of them at the library until this one! I had seen the picture in the back of the one right before this one, and I asked the librarian if they could please purchase one for me! I cried so hard on the way home from the library that my mom went and ordered the book from Amazon right when we got home, she felt so bad for me! But this series was one of my favorites that I read in my elementary school days!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

08/11: David: Humphrey started off with Mrs. Mac, but then she made him the school hamster. He has been having lots of adventures, but this one may be my favorite. The school is having a boat contest, and is going to go to Potter's Pond for a race. Whichever boat wins gets a prize. Not only that, there was a treasure chest, and inside was candy, and there were special guests, and one of them was Mrs. Mac! Humphrey was so excited! I am sure you will like this story too.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Humphrey dreams of sailing and finding treasure as the students in the class build miniature boats. This fantasy book is on my favorites shelf because I love that it is told from the view of the class pet. Humphrey is such a fun and engaging series. I think even the most reluctant of readers will enjoy his adventures. I would keep this in my class library for independent reading.
Grade: 1-5
Genre: Fantasy, adventure

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book for 3rd or 4th graders. Humphrey is the class hamster who is an expert on human relations, and is able to read, write and get out of his cage at will. In this episode the class is build boats to take to a pond and sail. Humphrey wants to go, but the teacher says that hamster can die from getting wet and cold.

[Juliette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the series with my son who is now 7.
He loved it. And really that's who matters, he's the audience. If you're a fan of Humphrey, this is a fun addition. I did not enjoy it as well as the first four. This one just didn't have as many life lessons as they did. If you're starting with this one, you really must read at least #1 before you can judge the series.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clever little hamster (and author, for coming up with such a clever series!). We are reading them aloud to our 10 year old son and really enjoying them.
I did want/expect Ms. Mac to give Humphrey another notebook, though, as his was probably full!

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I like surprises including food and water )the lake type) . I also liked this book because I like little tiny cute hamsters.

[Bernadette Kearns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is adorable! My eight year old loves the characters and I love the lessons that each book teaches kids about friendship. This is my second time reading the series and it's just as fun!

[Shera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated by Drew

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kinda love these books (although sometimes Humphrey is just too hamster biased...haha)

[Amy Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite Humphrey books.

[Lila DeCampo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay

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