Reviews

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

estival's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

colorfly's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

kateannesandefur's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Adorable! 

ladylibrarian's review

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4.0

I wasn't expecting the book to be as good as it actually is. Told from a hamster's point of view, Humphrey is a classroom pet. He is quite interesting and intelligent character that kids can connect with. He journeys from house to house over the weekends and learns about different students and their families. It can really open kids up to multiculturalism and various family backgrounds. Humphrey gets into all sorts of situations, from battling dogs with rubber bands to helping people learn English, from bringing families closer together to winning a costume contest at Halloween. The book looks at different characters in a school and home setting and how they effect each other. Really good for elementary school students. Overall a good book.

hayley_af's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

samibee17's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

agloe's review

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4.0

Melanie and I both liked this book a lot. I thought it was the best one we've read in a while.

lisaarnsdorf's review

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A fun animal protagonist story. A bit dated, but lots of meaty content like ill family members and ESL families.

coreenamcb's review against another edition

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4.0

The World According to Humphrey is a cute story of Humphrey the hamster who lives in room 26 at an elementary school. It is fun for kids to see the world from his point of view, and with quirky sense of humour.

Humphrey is a curious hamster with some fun insights. He tries to help those around them and is always coming up with Plans.

Though there is an overall story, each chapter is almost like its own vignette about Humphrey's life in school and the weekends where he goes home with the kids.

This book will appeal to both boys and girls in about the grade 2-4 range, especially those who like animals.

erinslibrarian's review against another edition

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4.0

Humphrey is the class pet in Room 26. When the long term sub, Ms. Mac leaves and the regular teacher Brisbane comes back, Humphrey's world changes. He begins to go home with students on weekends, befriends the janitor, and wins over Mrs. Brisbane.

Very sweet read. As an adult, it was very predictable but probably wouldn't be nearly so for kids. Can generate a lot of good discussion on why people do things they do.