The Haunting of Freddy: Book Four In The Golden Hamster Saga - Softcover

Reiche, Dietlof

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0439531608 ISBN 13: 9780439531603

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2007

Synopsis

Freddy's internationally acclaimed saga continues, taking him and his pals on an adventure to a haunted castle! This paperback release coincides with publication of the final Freddy adventure in HC.

Freddy Auratus--hamster extraordinaire--is absorbed in writing his latest novel (a horror story), THE LORD OF THE FERRETS, when his characters unexpectedly come to life! Not only do they haunt Freddy, but they threaten the lives of his new friends, and a colony of rabbits. Now it's up to Freddy and his old friends--Enrico and Caruso, the guinea pig poets, and Sir William, the civilized tomcat--to save the day and one another.

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.

Review:

Booklist 2/15/06
Reiche, Dietlof. The Haunting of Freddy. Illus. by Joe Cepeda. Tr. by John Brownjohn. Mar. 2006. 320p. Scholastic, $16.99 (0-439-53159-4).
Gr. 4–7. Hamster author Freddy, who loves a good story, is writing again, this time a dark tale set in 1593. But fiction soon becomes reality, and Freddy must write the sinister ghosts of a poacher and his vicious ferrets out of the present and back to where they belong. Occasionally spooky, Freddy's fourth adventure is an entertaining blend of suspense and fantasy, with Freddy's droll commentary on animal and human behavior adding an appealing overlay of humor. –Shelle Rosenfeld

SLJ
Gr 3-5–Author Freddy Auratus is back in another amusing adventure. This time, the prolific hamster; dignified tabby cat, Sir William; goofy guinea pigs Enrico and Caruso; and owner, Mr. John, are invited to England by an admirer of Freddy's books. Upon their arrival at Templeton Castle, the travelers discover that their hostess passed away recently. Her son and two grandchildren nonetheless ask their guests to stay. Freddy works on his latest opus, a scary tale based on a true story of a late-16th-century rabbit poacher sentenced to death by an unpleasant baron. Mysterious events begin occurring and apparitions appear. A den of rabbits is imperiled by ghostly ferrets while the humans are visited with visions of vengeful poacher Grim Harry. Of course, a connection between the past and the Templeton family is discovered. It takes some ingenuity and cooperation to deal with the situation successfully. Pompous, overly serious Freddy still has difficulty having a sense of humor about himself. Sir William continues to be the calming influence while Enrico and Caruso pursue their vaudevillian clowning. With the help of little Annabelle, a new crush for Freddy, all is resolved. Cepeda's artwork and enlarged text fonts enhance the humor greatly, with many enjoyable visual puns. A solid addition wherever the Freddy books have a following.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0439531608
• ISBN 13: 9780439531603
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320
• Illustrator: Cepeda Joe