"Rural Vermont during the 1920's is the setting for this nostalgic account of episodes in the lives of young Robert Peck and his pal, Soup.&qu...
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May 10, 2008
Sarah
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How I adored this series! Made me want to move to Vermont. The entire line of Soup books are fun to read and a rare find, a series for young boys. I loved the simplicity of small-town life in the 1920's. Similar to The Great Brain novels, the Soup series is told through the eyes of Soup's best friend, Robert, (a semi-autobiographical sketch of the author) the more naive of the mischievous pair. (The Great Brain is narrated vis a vis the Brain's younger brother.) Short books, not a whole lot of w
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Nov 13, 2010
Connie
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This is a fairly nostalgic look at the author's childhood, well-written and funny... kinda like The Great Brain series, but set in a later decade.
The chapters are self-contained stories, which makes it possible to skip over any you find problematic. There's one chapter where the kids make acorn pipes and smoke cornsilk - they get incredibly sick, and it's highly unlikely that any child will decide to emulate them.
There's another one where the children get it into their head t More...
The chapters are self-contained stories, which makes it possible to skip over any you find problematic. There's one chapter where the kids make acorn pipes and smoke cornsilk - they get incredibly sick, and it's highly unlikely that any child will decide to emulate them.
There's another one where the children get it into their head t More...
Sep 27, 2010
Afton
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Even though this book pretty much gives directions how to make an acorn pipe and smoke corn silk, with explicit directions on what kind of silk works best, and even though I had to explain to my boys that in the old days, parents, teachers and even random acquaintances could spank kids if the notion crossed their minds, and even though I had to define what "moving your bowels" meant, and remind them not to stick bugs up their friends noses, or play with knives, or tie ropes around peop
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Feb 26, 2011
I read this book to my kids; it still counts, right? :) A nice boy named Rob, and his crazy friend Soup get into trouble, have a variety of politically incorrect experiences, and remind us what friendship is all about. It made me wonder whether I was the "Rob" or the "Soup" in my various friendships. I was able to reinforce in my kids a few ethical/moral issues, like whether children should smoke, lie, cheat, or steal. Thanks to Uncle Brett for helping my boys to be boys
Mar 17, 2009
I dont think this is the same book that i started to read because there is about 100 soup books! but anyways i started reading this book also today because i usually dont read 3 books at the same time but besides the fact i am on page 4! So far a kid named robert got a letter sent home to his mother for making a rude remark at school! I think that his mom will send him to a farm because on the cover there are chickens so i want to continue reading this book!
Sep 19, 2009
Melanie
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This book was laugh-out-loud funny and had a tender ending. Great for kids 8 and up. There is a little questionable language(no blatant swearing), but since I was reading it aloud (with no one looking over my shoulder) I could edit appropriately. Set in 1930's Vermont, this timeless book will remind you that across the generations, little boys are always capable of getting into trouble! We are excited to start the next book.
Oct 05, 2010
Darla
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(Genre:Children's fiction/historical/humor) I listened to this on CD. Very short (like an hour and a half) and entertaining. Each chapter is a story about the author and his childhood friend, Soup. Some stories are very humorous, some are sad, a few disturbing, and the last one is touching.
Jan 07, 2010
Meredith
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Two conclusions I've come to: kids in the 1920s were mean, and kids today are wimps. This book reminded me somewhat of the Great Brain, except there's no overarching plot. I enjoyed some of the stories more than others, and I think I would have liked it quite a bit when I was little.
Jun 19, 2009
Melinda
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My kids and I listened to this while driving around town. The boy who read the story really made it enjoyable. The book tells of two best friends growing up during the early 20th century. Their antics are hilarious and the story demonstrates some wonderful examples of true friendship.
Jul 22, 2010
David
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My sixth grade teacher used to read from this book every afternoon until the final bell rang. I remember it being very funny and mischievous, wishing I had a friend like Soup to help me find trouble to get into. Definitely a book I'd want my own children to discover.
Sep 11, 2011
Linda
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We've just started reading this series aloud. The stories are from a much simpler time, but they're funny and heartfelt. It's good for a 5th grader to hear that boys his age still cry sometimes and show their friends that they love them.
Dec 17, 2009
J
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are you kidding me? this was so boring. i'm not opposed to books about nothing but childhood shenanigans, but for the love, i could barely finish the whole thing. not funny, not clever, not endearing; why is this book so popular?
Dec 13, 2011
Jamie
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Soup and Rob's everyday adventures in 1920s rural Vermont are magical. The boys might get into trouble from time to time (or rather quite often) but they still understand the importance of honesty and friendship.
Jan 01, 2012
AmniconStudio
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Listened to it in the car. My one complaint is that it wasn't long enough. It was a great listen and the tribute at the end was touching. If there are more books I will definitely get them.
Oct 31, 2010
Robin
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My absolute favorite among the books that we discovered when my children were young. The "Soup" stories are a laugh-out-loud read and with gentle lessons about loyalty, fairness and honesty.
Jan 27, 2010
Abbie
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I didn't want to read it, but it was cute. This book is shelved in fiction, but it contains ten stories about Peck and his childhood friend, Soup. The stories are honest, funny, and well-written.
Jun 25, 2010
Jean
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Even though I am an adult, I still like to pick this book up every couple years and re-read it. It is short and only takes me a couple hours, but it makes me laugh.
Mar 03, 2009
Art
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Soup's On, and that is how Luther got his name!
Read's like, Anatasia by Lois Lowry, Dog Years by Paulsen or even a book by AVI. Also Jesse Stuart.
I enjoyed the part of "Cheating Mr. Diskin"; "Apples and Mrs. Stetson", & "A Barrell of Chicken".
Good boy humor of growing up in rural vermont.
Life lessons.
Read's like, Anatasia by Lois Lowry, Dog Years by Paulsen or even a book by AVI. Also Jesse Stuart.
I enjoyed the part of "Cheating Mr. Diskin"; "Apples and Mrs. Stetson", & "A Barrell of Chicken".
Good boy humor of growing up in rural vermont.
Life lessons.
Nov 02, 2010
Deodand
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I had the Soup series read to me in school and I eagerly awaited each chapter. Someday I will read them again to see if they are as funny as I remember.
Jan 03, 2010
Beth
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Peck relates growing up in rural/small town Vermont with a best friend who gets him into lots of trouble. Humor and pranks abound between lessons learned.
May 15, 2010
Always love his books and this was no exception. Could make a great read aloud at bedtime because each story stands by itself within the whole.
Jan 17, 2010
Amber
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If you need a good laugh this is the best book to read. We are talking laugh out loud kind of laugh. Great for young families to read.
Jun 02, 2009
Jane
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I read all his books to my children out loud when they were little.
Wonderful stories. I enjoyed them as much as they did!
Wonderful stories. I enjoyed them as much as they did!
Apr 16, 2009
Terry
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This book brings you back to childhood. Peck does a great job in seeing the humor about the process of growing up. It's a delightful, witty read.
Dec 31, 2010
Dan
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Our fifth grade teacher read this book (and a few others in the series) to us for our after-lunch reading time. I thought they were great then, and that hasn't changed with the years.
Oct 26, 2010
Chris
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My favorite book. This book, actually made me cry. Best book in the world.
Aug 03, 2009
Kadie
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These are good books for boys - lots of good boy mischief & lessons learned.
Apr 23, 2009
Kendra
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We started reading this out loud this morning and we were all laughing so hard I thought that Sage was going to wet her pants.
Jan 04, 2012
Kristen
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Robert and his friend, Soup, and their escapades in the 1920's. Sometimes I did laugh out loud, but mostly I didn't love it. My sons (who I read it to) did.
