The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P.
Figg
By Rodman Philbrick
2010 Newberry Honor Book
A humorous and informative book from
the beginning. Homer and his older brother Harold are orphans being brought up
by a mean uncle. Their uncle sells 17-year-old Harold into the Union Army and 12-year-old
Homer runs off to find him. The story, filled with one way-out adventure after
another, starts in Pine Swamp, Maine and it ends up at Gettysburg.
The story is filled with characters
with crazy names. It reminds you of Mark Twain’s Huck Finn. Homer is courageous
and funny and has a knack of stretching the truth whenever he needs to.
The reader learns a lot about the
time period – the underground railroad and the Civil War. When at Gettysburg the
story does gets a little graphic about the fighting. He does find his brother, but
I’ll let you read the book to see how it ends.
And if you don’t like the book, you
have Jebediah Brewster to blame, not Homer. You also must read the book to find
out why.
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Historical fiction with a compelling story are always welcome on my shelf. Thanks for sharing this one. I'll be tracking down a copy.
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! I enjoy historical fiction and was fixated on the underground railroad as a child as a mansion near us was a place along the route. Interesting characters.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting story. Great title. Thanks for the heads up. I do like historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love historical fiction that is all so entertaining and this sounds like a great premise! Many things me recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by the underground railroad. This sounds like a good one. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds intriguing, Janet. Thanks for sharing it for MMGM!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the "Mark Twain" feel of this book. A fun read.
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