the mostly true adventures of homer p figg by rodman philbrick

Figg, received numerous awards and was chosen as a Newbery Honor Book.His first book for young readers, Freak the Mighty, was an immediate bestseller and continues to be a classic, with close to three million copies in print. Things best forgot.”īrief chapters with frequent cliff hanger endings, a healthy dose of humor, and ample action make this an ideal choice for reluctant readers. Rodman Philbricks The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. things too terrible to write, for fear the page will burn. What Homer witnesses during the Battle of Gettysburg is deeply affecting, even though he doesn’t share the worst of what he’s seen: “. In several scenes, however, Philbrick powerfully captures the horrors of slavery and war. Nothing is not an option.” And no matter what obstacles stand in his way, Homer is dead set on finding his brother, who is “so true and brave and fearless that he’s bound to get himself killed.”Īlthough the story is set during the Civil War, the plot is largely made up of Homer’s absorbing-and often entertaining-adventures the novel therefore takes place almost entirely off the battlefield. It is up to Homer to find him and save him. Through a series of fascinating events, Homer’s older brother has been illegally sold to the Union Army. Captured by slave catchers, he opts to help a group of runaway slaves, realizing, “I can’t do nothing. Master storyteller Rodman Philbrick takes readers on a colorful journey as young Homer Figg sets off to follow his brother into the thick of the Civil War. He is also a good judge of character, ably sizing up the people he meets. His engaging voice, together with consistently strong characterization, vivid description, and superb pacing, will keep readers engrossed until the very last page.ĭespite Homer’s penchant for telling a lie (and his lies are enjoyably over-the-top), he is a good kid with good intentions. Figg, Rodman Philbrick has created an extremely likable protagonist. “Telling the truth don’t come easy to me, but I will try, even if old Truth ain’t nearly as useful as a fib sometimes.”

The mostly true adventures of homer p figg by rodman philbrick