Publishers Weekly
Philbrick (Freak the Mighty) offers rip-roaring adventure in this Civil War-era novel featuring a mistreated orphan who doesn't let truth stand in the way of spinning a good yarn. When his guardian, Uncle Squinton-"the meanest man in the entire state of Maine"-sells off Homer P. Figg's older brother, Harold, to take a rich man's son's place in the Union army, Homer can't just stand around doing nothing. Determined to alert the authorities (and his brother) that Harold is too young to be a soldier, the plucky narrator traces the path of the regiment. He faces many dangers, including "an abduction or two, and being robbed and thrown in with the pigs, and joining the Caravan of Miracles" before landing smack in the middle of the Battle of Gettysburg, where he reunites with his brother and more or less drives the Confederates away. The book wouldn't be nearly as much fun without Homer's tall tales, but there are serious moments, too, and the horror of war and injustice of slavery ring clearly above the din of playful exaggerations. Ages 9-12. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal
Gr 5-8
When his older brother gets conscripted into the Union Army, Homer runs away from his uncle, "the meanest man in the entire state of Maine." He sets out after Harold but has multiple misadventures along the way. He survives thanks to courage, luck, and his talent for telling lies when needed, since "old Truth ain't nearly as useful as a fib sometimes." Homer relates his own adventures in colorful language as he crosses paths with con men, rogues, and scoundrels of various types. The comic tone is reflected in character names, such as Stink and Smelt, the cold-blooded slave catchers, and the kind but shifty Professor Fleabottom. Things take a more somber tone when Homer sees the horrors of the battlefield up close. The final reunion of the brothers during the Battle of Gettysburg is bittersweet. Homer's escapades introduce some interesting features of the year 1863, including the Underground Railroad, a traveling medicine show, Civil War spies, and an early version of the hydrogen balloon. Homer runs into plenty of danger, but there's more comedy than suspense in most episodes. He also deals with some moral dilemmas as he tries to make sense of the wide world and find people and ideas to believe in. The engaging protagonist and mixture of humor and adventure make this a strong choice for fans of Sid Fleischman's tales.-Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR
Kirkus Reviews
Shortly after this lively comic yarn opens, Homer, a half-starved orphan boy who lives in rural Maine with his mean-spirited uncle and 17-year-old brother Harold, helplessly watches as Harold is sworn into the Union Army. After finding out that their avaricious uncle sold his underage nephew to substitute for a richer neighbor in the Civil War, 12-year-old Homer takes off on a rescue mission. On the way, Homer is kidnapped by some nefarious slave-catchers, joins a traveling medicine show and holds up the Union colors during the Battle of Gettysburg. Bursting with vividly voiced characters and descriptions so crisp they practically crunch, the story is trenchantly narrated in the first person by Homer, a resourceful, sharp-witted child who is never without a lie in his pocket. Despite the overall comic tone, Philbrick makes serious points about the evil of slavery, the horrors of war, inexplicable bravery, ethical decision-making and the need to move forward in one's life. (Historical fiction. 9-12)
From the Publisher
Distinctions and Praise for The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
A Newbery Honor Book
A Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee
An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner
A New York Public Library's "Children's Books" 2009 — 100 Books for Reading and Sharing
A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2010
* "The book wouldn't be nearly as much fun without Homer's tall tales, but there are serious moments, too, and the horror of war and injustice of slavery ring clearly above the din of playful exaggerations." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
MARCH 2009 - AudioFile
Slavery, injustice, and Civil War battles suggest serious historical fiction. But Philbrick handles these subjects with a measure of folksy humor, which is greatly enhanced by William Dufris's exquisite sense of timing and irony. Orphaned Homer is a boy with a storytelling gift. Dufris’s verve makes his tall tales even more colorful. When Homer's cruel uncle sells his underage brother into the Union Army, Homer's off to the rescue. His travels lead to nonstop adventures with a string of vivid characters—from slimy slave-catchers Stink and Smelt to the shifty Professor Fleabottom. Dufris turns so many of these eccentric personages into outstanding characterizations that listeners will feel as if they're being treated to a one-man show. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
