Swear to Howdy
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Swear to Howdy
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3.85 of 5 stars
Joey Banks is a walking adventure. He’s funny, daring, mischievous—and frequently in trouble. Or he would be if anyone found out about ... read full description

reviews

Mar 03, 2009
Ruhama rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Russell can’t believe his luck—his new neighbor (he’s just moved to the area) has taken his weird name in stride and has decided everyone should call him Rusty. The two become best friends quickly, and often find themselves needing to “swear to howdy” about adventures they have. From Rusty’s first use of a gun to the biggest frog ever to a recreation of a ghost, the two are typical boys trying to stay out of trouble and yet keep busy. Van Draanen has written a strangely perfect book from a middl More...
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Nov 30, 2008
Mary rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book could have been written about many of the young men who attend our school. We have many students with a great sense of humor. Sometimes that sense of humor gets them into trouble. Joey is a prankster. He is constantly dreaming up practiacal jokes and schemes. Rusty on the other hand is a bit more reserved but goes along with Joey’s ideas (when he gets over the shock of them.) Rusty and Joey keep the truth of their adventures secret with a handshake and a “swear to howdy” promise. More...
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Oct 11, 2011
Sydney rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Swear to Howdy is a story about about two boys, Joey and Rusty, and their sisters, Amanda Jane and Sissy. They do silly things from getting bit by crappies to putting bugs in baseball watcher's coke cups. The boys make a pact with everything they do. They share their blood and "swear to howdy." The boys got a little carried away with one of their pranks one night. They ended up killing someone they loved very much, and hurt several around them.
I LOVE this book! I'm not re More...
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Oct 04, 2011
Teresa rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Gritty novel, great for discussion for older kids. Two 12-yr-old boys have all kinds of rowdy adventures--Rusty meets Joey; Joey's family is not as involved, shall we say, with his upbringing as Rusty's parents are. The boys swim, fart, catch frogs, put bugs in their mutual teen sisters' sodas, and generally cut up. After Rusty's dad tests him to be sure that Joey has explained gun safety properly, his parents even let him help Joey shoot the squirrels that plague Joey's dad. (Rusty feels sick More...
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Apr 29, 2011
Dottie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book is the kind of story that will stick with you forever.

When I first got it from the library (I had waited about a week and a half before it was available for pick up, someone else had it checked out) I was a little like "Oh, I think it's a younger age group", which it is, but I didn't look into that beforehand, and I'm glad I didn't or I probably wouldn't have checked it out.

The book is wonderfully written from Rusty's perspective, and exactly how you'd ex More...
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Jan 25, 2009
Sylvia rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This book is about two boys named Russell and Joey and their friendship with each other. Joey has a very imaginary and creative mind. He loves to play pranks on other people, especially with his sister. Whenever Russell and Joey plans a prank, they make a pact and they both swear to never tell anybody about their pranks. has a way of turning everything into an adventure, and also makes Russell swear to never to tell anyone about their pranks. In the end, Russel breaks his promise to Joey and tel More...
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May 03, 2010
Erin rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Swear to Howdy is a very quick read about the challenges of friendship between two boys, Russell and Joey, after a prank of theirs goes terribly wrong. More than the first half of the book contains stories about the adventures of Joey and Rusty-boy and pranks they get involved with, which attests to the closeness and power of their friendship. In one such scenario, being charged with getting rid of squirrels a buck a pop, Joey accidentally shoots his violent and abusive father’s cat. Russell hel More...
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Mar 24, 2010
Sebastian rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Taking it too far. Sometimes a joke goes too far, and someone gets hurt. Sometimes a prank doesn't work quite right, and someone gets hurt. When you are doing something you have to be aware of the consequences. People can get hurt, without you meaning to hurt them, you shouldn't do things that are risky, illegal or dangerous that involve other people. Because when someone gets killed, your tight.

In the book, Swear To Howdy by, Wendelin Van Draanen The two main characters, Joey and Ru More...
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Sep 12, 2010
Kim rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I've only read this and "Flipped," but Wendelin Van Draanen is already one of my favorite authors to read. She has a way of telling her stories with great details and in a way that makes it impossible to put the book you're reading down. "Flipped" this is not, however. This is a story that starts out mildly amusing with a hint of fascinating darkness, and the darkness builds from there until the tension and sadness becomes nearly unbearable. I really don't think this book is More...
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Jul 28, 2011
Stephanie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A little slow and hard for me to read becuase of the dialect. Good theme. This story is about a boy who meets someone that teachers him to live life to the fullest.

Joey Banks is a walking adventure. He’s funny, daring, mischievous—and frequently in trouble. Or he would be if anyone found out about half the stuff he’s done. But Rusty Cooper knows how to keep a secret. And Joey’s the best friend he’s ever had. But then comes a secret that is at once too terrible to tell and too terrib More...
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Jul 03, 2009
Christina rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Rusty and his best friend/next-door neighbor Joey have all kinds of summertime boy adventures, from putting a frog into Joey's sister's underwear drawer, to shooting a BB gun (with not so good consequences for the local squirrels) to swimming, jumping and hanging out on the river. After each escapade that results in something they'd rather their parents not know, they "swear to howdy" with blood that they'll never reveal their secrets to anyone. No matter what. But when lighthearted fu More...
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Jul 19, 2009
Kermit rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I listened to this book on audio CD. I got the title from an educational listserv (eMINTS) where teachers were talking about ways to use this book in their classrooms. It's a short book---only 3 CDs. The 2 main characters are 12 years old---just about to begin middle school. They live in an unnamed rural state and small town where people say "ain't" alot. It begins with a Tom Sawyerish sort of charm with the 2 boys having exploits in the nearby creek and catching frogs and getting i More...
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Feb 02, 2011
Lisa rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of the BEST boy-reads I've ever read. It was so excited about this book for my intermediate grade boys as I read it. Then, I was disappointed and very conflicted about the shotgun scene. I still love this book, and recommend it to a few. However, I chose not to put it on the shelves of my elementary library. Such a great book about boys doing boy things and have a great friendship full of fun. When the fun goes too far and tragedy strikes close to home their friendship suffers. More...
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Sep 19, 2009
smalls rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Joey Banks is a walking adventure. He’s funny, daring, mischievous—and frequently in trouble. Or he would be if anyone found out about half the stuff he’s done. But Rusty Cooper knows how to keep a secret. And Joey’s the best friend he’s ever had. But then comes a secret that is at once too terrible to tell and too terrible to keep. A secret so big it threatens to eat them alive. What would a true friend do now?

This was a good book. Lots of laughs, but definately some serious stuf More...
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Aug 25, 2011
Jan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
So far I've read sixty-four novels this 2011, and, for the first time this year, tears spilled from my eyes after reading. Wendelin Van Draanen's Swear to Howdy did make me cry!



I SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jan 14, 2011
Bryan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book is now one of my favorite book. This book is about two best frieds name Rusty( Russel Cooper) and Joey. This is about friendship and how one secretcan ruin everty thing. Joey sister dies and the end Rusty tells his family and Joey's family that they killed her. Also Joey commited sucide by shooting himself. At the end Joey moves to Cannada and Joey and Rusty never talked to each other. Couple months later they start writing letters to each other and they still have a good friendship.
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Mar 23, 2011
Jenny rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Ever since Rusty moved in next door to Joey, they were inseperable. The have a lot of fun by the river, thinking up pranks. After any embarrassing escapade, they would exchange blood and swear to howdy never to tell. Now a prank went horribly wrong, and Joey's sister is dead. No one knows they are the reason for the car crash. Now Rusty must decide whether or not to break his word to keep silent.
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May 19, 2011
Elizabeth rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Cool things about this book:
1. The characters are realistic. All of them. They're all different, too.
2. The dialect is superfun. It's southern and a bit dated.
3. It's a boy book- there's farting and nasty toads and shooting squirrels.
4. The boys learn an important lesson about consequences.
5. It's serious (very very serious) at parts, but silly and fun at other parts. Just like life.
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Dec 20, 2008
LuAnn rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Another great book from Van Draanen. This one's for boys, although girls would enjoy it too, and it would be an excellent choice to hook the reluctant reader. Teachers will want to be forewarned that there are some parts that prevent this from being a read-aloud book, but that doesn't stop it from being a laugh-aloud one! Some of it is downright funny, and some of it is tear-jerk sad.
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May 26, 2009
Hui rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The book is about two boys name Joey and Busty, they mix their blood together and they are the true friends. Everyday they always hang out with each other, when they are bored they just put their ears on the wall or make some crazy idea, one day Joey find a frog beside the river and he name the frog Tank, Joey wants to put Tank in his older sister's underwear clear.
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Jan 28, 2009
Emily rated it: 3 of 5 stars
In the end, a wonderful story about what it really means to be a friend. The first chapter was a little difficult to get through, and I almost stopped reading because of the crude boy humor. (though logically I shouldn't have been bothered, since I live with that kind of humor and grew up with plenty of it.)After the first chapter, it was worth reading.
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Feb 24, 2011
Brenda rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Listened to this book while traveling home from Arizona. It is written for adolescents but I enjoyed it. Lots of dialogue, themes, that are real issues with kids. I liked the way the author pulled it together at the end so an important lesson about friendship could be learned. Few bad words - but otherwise good.
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Nov 26, 2008
Anne rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Wow, what an unexpected read. I thought this would be just a fun, guy book about the anitcs of some young boys. And it was... but it also had some very serious issues and plot twists. This would make a good discussion book for young teens because it is easy to read, interesting and has lots to talk about.
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Dec 25, 2010
Makena rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here
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Mar 25, 2010
Mikayla rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book . . .it shocked me at parts, right when i didnt expect it!! It was a realistic story about two boys growing up together . . . This book has many highs and lows, and teaches you about friendship. This is a book that i would definately reccomend to anyone!
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May 27, 2011
Jennifer rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The book starts by sharing the quirky small town hijinxs of two teen boys. The language presents a vivid, realistic situation. About midway through the book, the story takes a jolting turn -- remains realistic to the storyline.

Truly enjoyed this book!
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Jan 15, 2011
Amy rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Read at urging of 11-year-old daughter. About 2 boys who are best friends and keep each other's secrets until one has a secret that is to harmful to keep. Good lesson for kids about when it's OK to break your word to a friend. Same author as Flipped, which I loved.
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Mar 23, 2009
Cathy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a quick 126 page read but it is packed with a lot of stuff! It's about 2 boys and their friendship...through thick and thin and some of it is pretty tough. Very good book.
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Aug 26, 2011
Isaac rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a astounding book about friends and all the troubles of life and some that are more challenging to others and is just an amazing read. it really simple so like 10-100 will enjoy it.
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Nov 09, 2008
Kerri rated it: 5 of 5 stars
What a wonderful book about friendship among boys. All the fun adventures they go on remind me of a Gary Paulsen book called Harris and Me. They have some really funny moments. But the best part of this book was the back story of the Rusty's friend's father and the undertones of how families handle abusive relationships. Both boys learn what the true meaning of friendship is. It reminds me of what I always tell my PALs when they worry about breaking confidentiality of a relationship. You al More...
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