Children's Literature: Homer Price

Homer Price isn't an author, he's a character.  You'll already know the author, Robert McCloskey (1914 - 2003), as the author of Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal.  McCloskey's two books for older children aren't seen as much any more.  They are really fun, though, so let's look at them.


Homer is a kid who likes to tinker and fix radios.  He does odd jobs around the neighborhood.  And he just inexplicably winds up in crazy situations.  His uncle's new doughnut-making machine goes haywire and won't stop making doughnuts, robbers hold up a radio station, snake-oil salesmen get their comeuppances.  It's  very fun, very American and happy in style, like a tall tale.  (If you've read Henry Huggins, it's a bit like that, only turned up to 11.)

Homer Price was published in 1943, and a sequel, Centerburg Tales or More Homer Price, came along in 1951.  Give them a try!

Comments

  1. I remember Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal, but Homer Price is new to me! The books sound terribly fun, though--I'm almost surprised they aren't read so much.

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  2. I loved Homer Price as a kid, which was nowhere near the 1940's & 50's when these were published. I had no idea they were so old. They were perfectly delightful when I was reading them but today the idea of "fixing a radio" seems so antiquated it wouldn't even make sense to a child.

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