Henry Hubble's Book of Troubles

by Andy Myer

Overview

For middle-grade readers looking for a uniquely funny, illustrated exposé on one boy’s troubles in school and at home. Hand this to those searching for a book like Just Jake and Timmy Failure.
 
Meet Henry Hubble. He’s in a world of trouble. From class-trip bathroom breaks to Halloween-costume catastrophes to lunchroom-table love drama, Henry is always in the middle of a debacle. That is . . . until this journal (yes, the very journal you hold in your hands) makes Henry a media mogul and one of the most popular sixth graders in the world. But you’re just going to have to start reading to find out why.


“Readers [will] giggle at and commiserate with [Henry’s] comically chaotic existence.”—Publisher’s Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780385385268
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	02/10/2015
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

ANDY MYER has spent more than thirty years in an unusual assortment of creative pursuits as a humorous illustrator, graphic designer, writer, and communications consultant. His witty words and images have appeared in national print publications, including Sports Illustrated and People, as well as in advertising, publishing, and corporate projects. Andy lives in Ambler, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Sandi, happily surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Visit him at andymyer.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/24/2014
Readers have much to gain when nothing goes right for Henry Harrison Hubble in this laugh-out-loud journal-style account of his sixth-grade life. Socially awkward Henry, named for the president who died after 32 days in office, takes pride in his poetic and artistic talents (he wants to be the “next Shel Silverstein, that bald guy who wrote all those funny poems”), even as his daily life suffers from an eclectic assortment of troubles that will make most kids’ adolescence seem glorious. With brutal honesty and endearing wide-eyed cluelessness, Henry chronicles important events, including the time he brought a live squirrel to school for his science project and when he snuck into the attic to find his great-great-great-great grandmother’s container of dried dog poop, which belonged to Harrison. But when one bully goes too far, Henry learns to stand up for what’s right, even if it lands him in more trouble. Myer (Delia’s Day Off) fills the pages with b&w drawings to accompany Henry’s musings, creating another dimension of sympathetic hilarity as readers giggle at and commiserate with his comically chaotic existence. Ages 9–12. Agent: Deborah Warren, East/West Literary Agency. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

01/01/2015
Gr 5–8—Henry Hubble is yet another hapless kid with a pen and notebook who records his daily misadventures in words and drawings. The sixth grader's claim to fame is that a distant relative lived next door to former President William H. Harrison. Harrison's dog would do its business in the distant relative's yard, which is why Henry is in possession of a fossilized piece of dog poo from the 1800s. This is, perhaps, what makes Henry most memorable—which isn't necessarily a good thing. As one might expect from a kid whose prized possession is a piece of feces, things often go wrong. Most of Henry's journal entries are descriptions of some embarrassing experience, like the disastrous school field trip where he vomits in the hotel swimming pool. There's a vague over-arching plot thread about a bully stealing Henry's journal and using it to embarrass him and then Henry's triumphant (if somewhat corny and cliched) retaliation. He's an aspiring cartoonist, so his journal is peppered with rudimentary line drawings reminiscent of Quentin Blake's artwork. He also admires Shel Silverstein, so corny poems are a staple of his writing. Henry's material is funny at times, but it mostly comes off as derivative. Indeed, the tone and writing style are such that Henry could be Greg Heffley's less-funny cousin. Ultimately, this is a forgettable entry in the already over-crowded genre of goofy, diary-format books.—Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

2014-11-11
Middle schooler Henry Harrison Hubble keeps an occasional "pretty personal" journal, but when it's stolen and pages are posted on social media, he has to take drastic action.Judging by the contents of his backpack (one of his troubles), Henry is in the eighth grade in school, but he's years behind in social skills and sense of humor. Fascinated by the fact that he was named after the ninth U.S. president, he's particularly pleased with his family's special connection: They own a (now dried-up and bottled) turd from Harrison's dog. Henry makes a variety of unwise choices that lead to troubles on a whale-watching field trip, at Halloween, in the lunchroom and in science class. Forging his mother's name on a discipline slip leads to a grounding and actually seeing the historic turd, but he's eventually released for other troubles: a Valentine's Day dance and the loss of his journal. Like many other titles aimed at the middle-grade reader, this purports to be the diary of a budding cartoonist. Henry's first-person narrative is accompanied by black-and-white drawings. He also includes some (convincingly child-written) poems. The genuine issue in Henry's story is lost in the bathroom humor, which fourth graders will probably love. For readers who've exhausted the Wimpy Kid series, an acceptable follow-up. (Fiction. 8-11)

Kirkus Reviews