Golden Hamster Book Series

[cruisnfamily]

My son discovered a new series of books at his school's book fair and he's nuts for them so I thought I would throw this idea out there for those of you with 9-11 year old boys who are looking for book ideas for the holiday.

The author is Dietlof Reiche and it is the golden hamster series. The books are called:
I, Freddy
Freddy in Peril
Freddy to the Rescue

They're about a hamster who can read and write and posts his life story on the internet. Apparently Freddy has many adventures. DS9(10 next month) has read the first 2 and is anxiously awaiting book 3 to come in at the library. The only drawback for us is that they're not on our school's AR list but that's ok. If DS is excited about books, we are thrilled to have him read them even if he doesn't get AR points.

So, just thought I'd let everybody know.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

We got those books at my library (I am a children's librarian), and they are never on the shelves! We put them in our "popular books" shelf and they are taken out instantly!

I did not know the series had an official name, though! Thanks for the info!

 

[barbeml]

Thanks for posting! I love all things "hamster" and am ordering from Amazon.

 

[DVCLiz]

Hi, former Children's Librarian here, too!! I always love hearing what the kids are reading - I left my library job about 8 years ago, so I'm not as "up" on the newest read as I used to be.

A small vent and possible solution about AR. My daughter's school has AR, and while I feel pretty neutral about it (good that kids are reading, not so great that the "literature" is being read for a quick 10 question assessment without any means of exploring the book further, etc.) I did have a problem last year with her teacher, who was very inside the box. We did a lot of outside reading that wasn't on AR. OK for us, because DD is a reader, but not so great for some of the others, both boys and girls, who didn't like to read for pleasure. Kind of hard to have them find and read something, then not be able to use it for AR.

This year, DD's Literature teacher has added a "non AR" book assignment. Everyone reads one novel for pleasure each month. If it's an AR book, you take the test and you're done. If it's not, you can read it anyway, and you write a three paragraph "report". One on basic plot, one on characters, and one on why you did or didn't like it and what it meant to you. DD did this with the third Molly Moons book, a current major favorite, and the teacher really enjoyed reading how much my DD had been looking forward to this book being published, etc. I thought it was a nice solution - smart literature teacher!!!!

OK, now back to the Golden Hamster books...

 

[clarabelle]

Ooh I will look into these for DD10. We love books
I too have some AR issues. I volunteer to read occasionally and it is very disheartening to read a nice story and have the kids immediately ask -"how many points is that?"
I think AR should be a nice sideline -a good way to encourage non -readers.
Not the be all end all of children's reading. There are so many books that are not on the lists. The program is so reward oriented -it makes me uncomfortable at times.
OK I am stepping off my soap box now. Thanks for the heads up on the books.

 

[DVCLiz]

Ooh I will look into these for DD10. We love books
I too have some AR issues. I volunteer to read occasionally and it is very disheartening to read a nice story and have the kids immediately ask -"how many points is that?"
I think AR should be a nice sideline -a good way to encourage non -readers.
Not the be all end all of children's reading. There are so many books that are not on the lists. The program is so reward oriented -it makes me uncomfortable at times.
OK I am stepping off my soap box now. Thanks for the heads up on the books.

I totally agree!