Book Report: FRIENDSHIP ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY!

This book is called ‘FRIENDSHIP ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY’ written by Betty G. Birney (This is the sequel to  The World According To Humphrey). It is about a little hamster named Humphrey who is a class pet. He is a really special class pet because he can read and write and works on the activities with the class. How cool! Then, after the summer break, a new classroom pet moves in and he is: Og the frog. At first, Humphrey feels jealous and thinks that Og is his replacement. Then, he starts to open up and tries to become friends with this new classroom pet. Humphrey is still the luckier one, because, he get’s to go home with the class kids and has many adventures in their houses. My favourite adventure was when Humphrey was going home with Richie (a classmate) on the bus and a mean boy bullies Richie. Humphrey cannot stand this rudeness so he tackles Mean Martin and bites him on his leg. Ow! Also when Humphrey helps the cleaner (Aldo): Aldo’s big inspiration was Humphrey when he applies for University again and he  shares with the class about the world in Humphrey’s eyes and the way he looked at it. All of a sudden, a snowstorm starts and Og and Humphrey are abandoned in the classroom for the whole of Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday! Humphrey talks to Og and figures out that Og actually means well but can’t express it. When Humphrey needed to eat his Nutri-Nibbles, he gets stuck under the packet and Og saves Humphrey from suffocating. Mrs. Brisbane (the teacher of that class) and the principal enter on Tuesday and take the two pets home. Og plays with Humphrey and Humphrey writes a poem for Og about friendship. After all, friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest, it’s about who walks into your life and proves that they are there for you.

What I like about the book:

• At the end of each chapter, there was a little quote by famous people about friendship and that was really interesting to read. My favourite quote was : "The better part of one's life consists of his friendships..." by Abraham Lincoln.
• The way Betty G. Birney makes the reader feel as if a hamster was writing and not a person.
• Humphrey rhymes : they are incredible! The students came up with great poems but I think Humphrey’s was the best. Specially the way he talks about friendship and the necessities of a true friend. The language in the poem was so touching that I am also using that in my own life now.
• At the end of the book, there is Humphrey’s guide to Friendship and how to be a good friend. He also talks about what the attitude you need to produce is.
• As Humphrey writes, he not only talks about friendship and it’s importance but through his writing, he proves that any sort of animal is very special and unique in their own way. The message that comes through to me other than that ‘friendship is important’ is: Embrace anything that an animal (or person) has. Don’t shrug people off or tell them that they are useless or mean or shy and not open. Experience their actual self before you gossip and embrace their ups and downs and goods and bads, together.

I WOULD GIVE THIS BOOK A 9 OUT OF 10 RATING!

FIND OUT WHAT I MEAN BY READING FRIENDSHIP ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY!

YOU CAN BUY IT HERE ON AMAZON FOR $5.99!

YOU CAN BUY IT HERE ON GUARDIAN BOOKSHOP FOR £4.79!