The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

Book Jacket

You can learn a lot about life by observing another species.  That's what Humphrey was told when he was first brough to Room 26.  And boy, is it true!  In addition to his classroom escapades, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student.  Soon Humphrey learns to read, write, and even shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense).  Humphrey's life would be perfect, if only the teacher wasn't out to get him!

Review

Hamsters can apparently fix any problem in the world.  Lonely and single?  Consult a hamster.  Family won't turn off the TV?  Get a hamster.  Your parents are too scared to practice English?  Make them talk to a hamster.  Your husband is ill and cranky?  Play with a hamster.

I'm pretty amazed at how convincing Humphrey is as a hamster narrator.  He can't actually talk to anyone, but he's a genius, and he sneaks around to make everyone's life better.  This is a great fluffy (hah) story about class pets and the power of companionship--as someone who loves pets, Humphrey won me over very quickly.

Four out of five locks-that-don't-lock.

Release Date:  May 2005
Reading Level: Grade 2+
Where In Dunlap Public Library's Collection: BLUESTEM