Friday, May 13, 2011

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

When his seventeen year old brother is unlawfully conscripted into the Union Army by their dastardly uncle, Homer P. Figg sees no other solution than catching up to his brother before he gets to the war. Homere's most notable talent is embellishing the truth. Or if you prefer, just plain lying. As he journeys south, his talent comes in handy time and again. Will he reach his brother in time?

What I Thought: This book is a perfect read aloud and will hook those boys who are often reluctant readers. Homer's talent for lying and exaggerating and his voice as narrator make this book. Who wants to read a dull, dry book about the Civil War? Not me, I assure you. Homer reminds me of Pippi Longstocking. She is skilled in the same way as him. Fans of Polly Horvath's humorous stories will enjoy The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg.

April 2011 marked the beginning of the Civil Wars sesquicentennial. My favorite Civil War books are Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt and The River Between Us by Richard Peck.

(Blue Sky Press, 2009)

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