I, Freddy: Book One in the Golden Hamster Saga - Softcover

Reiche, Dietlof

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0439283574 ISBN 13: 9780439283571

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2005

Synopsis

Move over, Stuart Little, there is a new mouse in town. Except this mouse is a hamster. And not just any hamster. He is a golden hamster of the highest order - and destined for great things.

Freddy is not happy with his boring treadmill life at the pet store. He continaully embarrasses himself in an attempt to get adopted. Freddy believes he will have a more civilized and exciting life as soon as he has a home. After a series of funny misadventures (including encounters with a fierce tomcat and two guinea pigs who speak in Shakespearean couplets) he teaches himself to read and write. He then pens his witty and heartwarming autobiography that tells of his journey to self discovery. A hamster has never been smarter or funnier in telling the tale of his exceptional life.

About this title

About the Author:

Dietlof Reiche's middle-grade and young adult novels have garnered many awards in his native Germany, including the German Juvenile Literature Award and the Oldenburg's Children's Book Prize.

Born in Dresden, Germany, in 1942, Reiche spent his early childhood in the village of Nördlingen, the town where his first historical novel Der Bleisiegelfälscher (The Lead Seal Counterfeiter), is set. Before becoming a full-time writer of children's books, Reiche studied engineering. He later took an academic position at Darmstadt Technical University, followed by studies in sociology, and work as a graphic designer.

Many of Reiche's books are historical fiction, but he also enjoys mixing history with fantastic elements, and often brings his wonderful sense of humor and his concern for the environment to his books.

In Reiche's exciting new novel Ghost Ship, he blends contemporary life with history and the supernatural to create one captivating adventure. His Golden Hamster Saga series: I, Freddy; Freddy in Peril; Freddy to the Rescue; and the forthcoming, Freddy and the Ferocious Ferrets is hilariously narrated by Freddy the Golden hamster, and was inspired by memories of the numerous pet hamsters Reiche had as a child.

Dietlof Reiche lives with his wife in Hamburg, Germany.
Mr Cepeda received his BFA in illustration from California State University, Long Beach in 1992 and also studied Engineering at Cornell University. He is the illustrator of awarding-winning picture books such as What a Truly Cool World and Nappy Hair.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-5-Freddy Auratus is an unusual hamster. Unlike his pet-shop mates, he has ambitions beyond traditional cage life. He wants to explore the world and resolves to attract the right buyer. His choice is Sophie, almost six, a budding bookworm with the insight to consult a hamster-care book, and he gradually teaches himself to read from her books. He even devises a secret way to open the latch of his cage. But before he can do much exploring, Sophie's mother proves allergic to hamster fur and plans to get rid of him. He stows away with a visiting family friend, despite concerns about the man's other pets. His two guinea pigs, Enrico and Caruso, are masters of low comedy and excruciatingly bad songs, but, to Freddy's surprise, Sir William, the cat, is a civilized fellow who quietly maintains order in the household. Then, when the Master brings home a computer, Freddy resolves to learn to write in hopes of communicating with the human world. Comparisons with Beverly Cleary's Ralph S. Mouse (Morrow, 1982) are probably inevitable, but Freddy is his own man-er, rodent. Illustrated with amusing black-ink sketches, this engaging story will appeal to fans of animal fantasies.
Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0439283574
• ISBN 13: 9780439283571
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208
• Illustrator: Cepeda Joe