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The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
Unavailable
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
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The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
Audiobook5 hours

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Written by Rodman Philbrick

Narrated by William Dufris

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

Although he is underage, Homer P. Figg’s beloved older brother, Harold, is illegally sold into the Union Army by their ruthless guardian. Now Homer must run away from Pine Swamp, Maine, and his wretched home to find his brother and save him from the war, before it’s too late.

In a story filled with adventure, humor, and danger, award-winning novelist Rodman Philbrick tells of the turbulent, passionate times–from rural Maine to the Battle of Gettysburg–in the Civil War. Here is historical fiction at its most engaging, portraying the 1860s through the observant eyes of a backwoods boy who is both courageous and funny–and always willing to stretch the truth to his own advantage. A master of plot twists and vivid characters, Philbrick sweeps readers into the unpredictable events–both colorful and tragic–of this powerful turning point in American history.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJan 13, 2009
ISBN9780739372333
Unavailable
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
Author

Rodman Philbrick

Rodman Philbrick grew up on the coast of New Hampshire and has been writing since the age of sixteen. For a number of years he published mystery and suspense fiction for adults. Brothers & Sinners won the Shamus Award in 1994, and two of his other detective novels were nominees. In 1993 his debut young adult novel, Freak the Mighty, won numerous honors, and in 1998 was made into the feature film The Mighty, starring Sharon Stone and James Gandolfini. Freak the Mighty has become a standard reading selection in thousands of classrooms worldwide, and there are more than three million copies in print. In 2010 Philbrick won a Newbery Honor for The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg.

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Reviews for The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Rating: 3.79850743681592 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Very engaging.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Starts out feeling light but gets more and more dramatic. Not for the most sensitive young child; darker and heavier than the cover. Of course it's a good choice for historical fiction and for MG classrooms, but I, personally, didn't enjoy it all that much. It just didn't seem fresh & creative to me (which is what I expect from Philbrick).
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I would have given this book the Newbery over the one that actually won. It was a great read, would definitely appeal to kids, made me laugh, and painted a vivid picture of a boy's experience of the Civil War. Homer is an abused orphan who never spends a moment feeling sorry for himself. He is clever, spunky, and courageous. His adventures while on the road to find his older brother make for great storytelling. Great read for boys and girls in Gr. 5-8.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Narrated by William Dufris. When Homer P. Figg's mean uncle Squinton sells Homer's older brother Howard into service for the Civil War, Homer sets out from their home in Maine to save him. Along the way he meets an interesting array of people, including a Quaker gentleman whose home is a stop on the Underground Railroad, several scam artists and thieves, and Professor Fleabottom, the head of a traveling medicine show and also a Confederate spy. Homer also witnesses the degradation of slavery and the horrors of war combat. William Dufris voices Homer as earnest and dogged, a particularly effective tone especially when Homer stre-e-e-tches the truth from time to time. An adventurous journey with plenty to experience. Lib notes: Description of battle scenes and wounds.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Homer and his brother live with their horrible uncle in his barn where he barely feeds them, until their uncle sells Harold into the Union Army in place of someone else. Homer overhears the plan to illegally get rid of Harold after he is marched off and goes an an adventure to get Harold out of the army. Along the way he encounters the Underground Railroad, a Medicine Show, is captured by the Rebel Army and participates in Gettysburg.

    Homer is a pretty funny kid who pushes the bounds of the reliable narrator. He lies his butt off pretty much constantly and I found myself wondering how many exaggerations were left in his tale. There was clearly a lot of research done into the Civil War Draft policy, medicine shows etc. The historical notes at the end were very interesting and extended beyond the the scope of the book which I thought was neat. I wish there were more Homer P. Figg adventures b/c he seems like a character you could really get a lot of mileage out of.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction in the first place, but I read this as part of a Children's Literature course and looked at it purely through that lens. Basically, it was okay. I was not blown away, although I could see how it could be a lively read during an American History unit. The positive: Although convoluted, I could see the constantly changing action hooking kids in, and the writing level is appropriate for older elementary readers. Paired with maps and primary documents, this book could be a great addition to a Civil War unit.My two criticisms: Homer leading off with the statement that he is a liar caused me to question any and all historical episodes that took place, and, the abrupt change in tone and character of the story the moment Homer arrives at Gettysburg was off-putting. It felt like an entirely different book from there on out.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Set during the American Civil War, Homer Figg's older brother, who is but 17, is enlisted in the Union Army by the boy's wicked guardian, who lies about Harold's age so he can keep the enlistment money. Homer runs away, determined to find his brother and get him back before he has to fight in a battle.Homer, who is a compulsive liar, meets a wide variety of people as he hunts for his brother... some almost saintly, and others fiendishly evil. His adventures take him on a ship, in a train and on a balloon. He travels with slave catchers, a medicine show, and a young lovelorn preacher. He finally does find his brother, on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg.This a book about a serious subject, told in a surprisingly lighthearted manner. It would be a good companion to "Elijah of Buxton," by Christopher Paul Curtis... also a Civil War era lighthearted look at extremely serious issues. Both through the eyes of young boys.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a good historical novel of the Civil War. Told from the perspective o a child chasing his wrongly enlisted brother, it covers the war from a number of angles as Homer, the main character, falls in with factions from both sides of the war on his way to locate is unfortunate brother, a farced enlistee in the famous 20th Maine regiment of the Union Army. It's a very extensive story, one full of adventure and suspense. Reading this book will really give a child an education about the true experience of the Civil War, one of horror, confusion, strong beliefs, and sacrifice. It's really difficult to grasp what happened, but this book does a good job of trying. Well done. The narrator was a little irritating since he chose slightly silly voice for Homer. I felt like the story was more serious than the voice he offered, but I still enjoyed it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    While this 2010 Newbery honor winner isn't up to par with some other Newbery books, I did enjoy this tale and it was worth the read.Set in the time of the American Civil War, Homer and his brother are orphans living in Maine with their near do well Uncle.Sleeping in a barn surrounded by animals, with little to eat, their Uncle berates them and reminds them of the burden they are. When he can make money by selling Harold, Uncle Squint gladly hands him to the US government to fight in the Civil War.Homer runs away to find Harold, and we follow him as he has great adventures helping the underground railroad hide slaves bound for Canada, riding high in the sky in a silk hot air balloon, and joining a side show traveling with the medicine man.Within the first sentences of the book, Homer lets the reader know that "telling the truth don't come easy to me." Thus, one never knows if Homer's adventures are true or fabricated.Creatively written, the book is captivating both for the humor contained in Homer's descriptions contrasted with the serious and realistic depiction of the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania battlefield.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Homer and his brother Harold are orphans, left in the care of their wicked uncle Squint who sells Harold (aged seventeen) for a replacement in the Civil War. The year is 1863, and the Emancipation has just been enacted. Homer strikes off to find Harold and runs into some more villains with great names like Stink and Smelt who want him to spy on the Quaker man whose home is a stop on the Underground Railroad. Homer has an amazing ability to tell tall tales which makes him valuable to a Medicine Show which hires him to act the part of the "pig boy." In this book, you learn about the Civil War and its bloody battle at Gettysburg as Homer makes his way south from the northern tip of Maine to Pennsylvania where he is told his brother is bound.

    The book has humor, pathos, and a fair share of realistic description of what the bloodiest battle of the Civil War might have been like.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Very well written. Funny but with very serious issues presented. I really liked the glossary of Civil War slang.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Newbery Honor Book 2010, Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2010-2011

    This book snuck up on me. I wasn't quite sure what to think of it at the beginning, but by the last audiodisc I was concerned about what would happen to Homer Figg. A good quick read with action, adventure and a little bit of gore.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The book’s style is reminiscent The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Rodman Philbrick created a very endearing character in Homer Figg. He is determined, witty and simply hilarious. The adventures were an effective way of integrating history into this book. This is a very engaging book for young readers, a fast read, and very enjoyable.Memorable quote: “It all boils down to this: A person has only two options in life, to do something or to do nothing.”
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Great references to particular battles. It would be good paired with Field of Fury that gives a one page blurb and picture about the main battles of the Civil War.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great story with a lot of humor and heart.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Summary:This book was about a twelve year old boy that was set out to find his brother that had been sold into the Union Army. This was a historical book that can be used in a history setting. It showed brotherly and sibling love.Personal Reaction:My personal reaction to this story was the brotherly love that these two brothers had for eachother, and the way they bonded together in rough times.Classroom Extension:I would use this book to teach children how to love their brothers and sisters and to be there for them in times of need.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is a historical book that can be used in a history setting. It is based on a twelve year old and his life. Any twelve year old would probably interested in reading this book. He is set off to find his brother that had been sold in to the Union Army. This could be a great book to be able to show brotherly love or sibling love. It also teaches all different things in history like: Thieves, scallywags, and spies. He follows clues so this book is really good to read if you like to read about adventures.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I truely liked the book. I liked that it stayed on key and never got to in depth for me to read. Alot of books get to in depth for me. I believe the book could be used to show what an historical fiction is. Another way to introduce the book would be to show his bravery during this time period and how your students can relate to being brave.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    "I say my "true" adventures because I told a fib to a writer once, who went and put it in the newspapers about me and my big brother, Harold, winning the battle at Gettysburg, and how we shot each other dead but lived to tell the tale. That's partly true, about winning the battle, but mostways it's a lie."Homer and his brother Harold are orphans living with the meanest man in Pine Swamp, Maine: their uncle, Squinton Leach. Although Harold is only 17, Leach sells him to be a replacement in the Union Army (someone who takes the place of another, usually a rich man's son). Homer runs away to try to catch up with Harold and the army, prove he is underage and free him. His trip southward to Pennsylvania is one adventure-filled disaster after another: from escaped slaves and the underground railroad, to a traveling show, to stealing a hot-air balloon and riding it into the Battle at Gettysburg. This will make you laugh, especially the wild lies that just seem to come flying out of Homer whenever he opens his mouth, but the historical details are accurate and interesting also! Good historical fiction for 6th grade and up.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    SummaryThe Mostly True Adventures follow a young boy during the time of the Civil War. Homer and his brother Harold are sent off to life with their old, awful, drunk Uncle Squint. After a huge fight, Harold is sold into the war by his uncle and Homer sets off to find him. After a confrontation with some bandits, Homer finds himself along side a slave name Samuel as they travel the Underground Railroad. Homer successfully finds his brother Harold, and they fight off the Confederates. They are then both adopted by the man helping free the slaves.Personal ReactionI do not usually fall for books of this kind, but the adventure and history drew me in. I love that the bond between brothers lasts throughout the story, and I love that they get their happy ending. I also think about the other young boys and girls during this era, however, and how they must have constantly been using extremely vivid imaginations just to get through the turmoil of each day.Extension Ideas1) Introduce a unit on the Civil War. After a few days of sharing facts and information, have each student pick a subject to free write about. Give suggestions such as the Underground Railroad, Slavery, War, Brotherhood, etc.2)There were a lot of things changing during the time right before, during, and after the Civil War including the appearance of the American Flag. Ask each student to draw what they believe the American Flag could look like in the next ten years, and then explain the changes to its design.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Homer and his brother Harold are now livng with their mean uncle. The suprisingly mean uncle thinks that the pigs should eat more food then the boys! So the boys steal the pig food but their uncle got so mad he sent Harold to war ( bad Idea ).Homer is going to save his brother and bring him back home.( or escape from their uncle. Whats going to happen!?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is one of my favorite books and I honestly did not think that I was going to it. Homer p. Figg is a young boy who is left under the guardianship of his crazy drunk uncle after both of his parents pass. Homer and his brother Harold take care of each other because their uncle sure doesn't. Their uncle, Uncle Squint, is a drunk who sales Harold into the war although he is under age. When Squint does this it is the last straw for Homer and he tries to hit and kill their uncle and without Harold their to save him Squint is going to kill him and so there begins the mostly true adventures. Homer sets off and runs into bandits in the woods who threaten his life and he has to go up to Mr. Brewsters house to try and find out where the slaves are that he is trying to help. Homer ends up spending the night and getting a fabulous meal. The bandits have also captured a big black man whose name is Samuel Reed. When Homer reports back to the bandits he lies and they aim to kill him but Samuel breaks free and he and Homer both escape. Mr. Brewster has a lot of runaway slaves hiding in his basement and Mr. Reed and the slaves leave Mr. Brewster's to go on to the next place part of the under ground railroad. Then Homer is taken by Reverend Willow to continue to look for Harold and buy him back out of the army. But little does Homer know Reverend Willow has his own agenda and falls in love with a beautiful con artist who takes all Homer's money to buy Harold back. Homer then meets Mini and Professor Fleabottom his luck begins to change because they promise to help him find Harold if he will be their pig boy. Eventually Homer finds Harold and of course they defeat the confederates, just Harold and Homer. Or at least that's what Homer said. In the end Homer and Harold are adopted legally by Mr. Brewster and they don't have to live with old mean uncle Squint anymore. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is a great book to read especially 4th grade and up. This book and Elijah of Buxton would be great books to read together because they are both historical fiction and they show both sides of the time period. The point of view from a poor white boy and the point of view from a poor black boy, but it still shows all of the hard and good times they both faced despite their age. I think that these books can not only broaden the minds of children but also make them be thankful for what they have and the way things are today.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Most people tell a couple fibs in their life, Homer P. Figg was one of these people. Homer's fibs just occurred more often than most peoples. Figg is an orphan living in the Civil War era. The story is centered around Homer's adventures after he finds out that his uncle sold his brother into the Union Army. This is a story of Homer trying to conquer a war much deeper than between two parts of the country.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed reading this book because I love history and this book was set during the Civil War. I gave this book four stars because it was a little hard to get used to reading. The author did not spell the words properly. He spelled the words how the people said them. Once I got used to this, I really enjoyed it and it became an easy read. This would be a great book to use while studying the Civil War. It introduces things from the Civil War someone might not know. For instance, I did not know the armies used hot air balloons to spy on each other until I read this book. This would also be a good book to use in literature circles.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Well, another of those books about war. Not a big fan but it is really a good book for a look at a child's point of view of war and loss of family. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend this book for young readers for just that reason.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Homer Figg can tell a fine tall tale which can get him both in and out of trouble. His cruel uncle Squinton Leach (what a great name!) sells his older brother Harold into the army even though Harold is only 17. So 12 year-old Homer sets off to save his brother. He encounters slave hunters, Underground Railroad travelers, a wealthy Quaker who wants to help him, a preacher taken in by grifters and many other memorable characters as he stumbles doggedly on his quest. Full of the excitement and difficulty of the times, it's a terrific read. Yea Rodman.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A backwoods historical fiction story centered on Maine orphan, Homer Figg, and his attempts to save his brother, Harold, who was sold into the Union Army by their villainous Uncle, Squint. Many adventures await Homer, and his skill at lying and stretching the truth. His travels lead him to the Battle of Gettysburg, learning of the Underground Railroad, traveling medicine shows, and other 19th Century occurrences, kids today know little about. Humorous and fun, with lots of dialogue, and “backwoods talk,” that gives a realistic depiction of the Civil War era, politics, and social practices
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    An entertaining and educational account of a boy who's not afraid to tell tales and travel many miles to fight the injustice of his Uncle and get his brother back, with glimpses of the institution of slavery, the underground railroad, and the horrors of the battlefield. Written in Homer's charming dialect.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Homer P. Figg never met a lie he didn't like to tell to save his skin or spice up his stories. It is that gift that helps him survive the harrowing adventure to find his brother after he has been taking to join the Union army under false pretenses. A fun ride, Homer meets a colorful cast of characters. Snipets of civil war era history - particularly the underground railroad and the battle of Gettysburg - are woven into the story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great characters and great story.