Howie Monroe and the Doghouse of Doom - Hardcover

Howe, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689839510 ISBN 13: 9780689839511

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002

Synopsis

Dear possible reader of this book,
My editor asked me to write a third book in my series, Tales from the House of Bunnicula. And did I have trouble getting started! I was afraid I used up all my ideas. But faster than a writer can say "What if?" I came up with a story! It's about a lovable and smart (not to mention cute) orphan wirehaired dachshund puppy named Howie, who has a mysterious pain in his leg and is mysteriously invited to attend the Dogwiz Academy for Canine Conjurers. Together, Howie and his best friend, the very, very, very smart Delilah, who speaks in a British accent in this book for some reason, discover they must fight a sinister foe...The-Evil-Force-Whose-Nam-C'not-Be-Spoke!!!
Uncle Harold (who wrote a bunch of books about our friend Bunnicula), says my story is a very funny parody. Delilah says she likes the accent, but thinks her character doesn't get to speak enough.
I have no idea what they're talking about. I just hope you like the story.
Your friend,
Howie

About this title

Review

Who'd've thunk J.K. Rowling's work would be parodied by a clever, wire-haired dachshund pup? Fortunately, that's no indignity, seeing as we're talking about none other than Howie Monroe, the budding canine author of other Tales from the House of Bunnicula.

Bunnicula fans already know (and likely love) Howie, and it's a treat to watch him sink his teeth into the first Harry Potter book. (Although, admittedly, Howie doesn't see it that way: "This is a serious work of fiction!!!! I can't believe my editor would call it a parody!") Just as in It Came from Beneath the Bed!, this installment alternates between entries in Howie's writing journal (complete with authorial advice from his Uncle Harold) and chapters in the story that Howie's writing about a lovable, plucky, wire-haired dachshund named Howie. Howie (the plucky character) leaves home to attend the Dogwiz Academy for Canine Conjurers, and that's just the beginning of his uncanny resemblance to that other young wizard. In his quest to enter the Doghouse of Doom and face "The-Evil-Force-Whose-Name-C'not-Be-Spoke (a.k.a. Herbert)," Howie must release the Seven-Headed Schnauzer, crawl through the Tunnel of Terrible Things, and face all sorts of other perils. ("Would he ever again return to Centreville? Would he ever again sleep under Pete's bed? Would he ever again get to use the words 'ever again' in a sentence?")

As Howie (the aspiring author) sagely observes at one point, "This writing business involves way too much thinking." But kids will appreciate the effort and the tale--and might even learn a thing or two themselves about creating and structuring stories. Which, presumably, is exactly what Uncle Harold hopes for his nephew:

"Well, Howie, the big question a writer has to ask himself is--"

"When do I get paid?"

"That wasn't what I was going to say."

(Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

About the Author

James Howe is the author of more than ninety books for young readers. Bunnicula, coauthored by his late wife Deborah and published in 1979, is considered a modern classic of children’s literature. The author has written six highly popular sequels, along with the spinoff series Tales from the House of Bunnicula and Bunnicula and Friends. Among his other books are picture books such as Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores and beginning reader series that include the Pinky and Rex and Houndsley and Catina books. He has also written for older readers. The Misfits, published in 2001, inspired the antibullying initiative No Name-Calling Week, as well as three sequels, Totally Joe, Addie on the Inside, and Also Known as Elvis. A common theme in James Howe’s books from preschool through teens is the acceptance of difference and being true to oneself. Visit him online at JamesHowe.com.

Edition details

• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0689839510
• ISBN 13: 9780689839511
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Helquist Brett