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148th out of 211 books
—
108 voters
Swear to Howdy
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...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
November 8th 2005
by Yearling
(first published October 14th 2003)
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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
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.
Besid...more
Besid...more
Swear to Howdy by,Wendilin Van Draanen is a very well told novel about to friends that let practical jokes just go a little too far. Every time they do something that nobody is supposed to know about they, “Swear to Howdy” to not tell a soul and when a prank goes just a little too far they end up with something lingering on their conscience. I think that Wendilin Van Draanen does a GREAT job at making the reader want to read more. I personally liked the fact that Russell, In search of a friend,...more
In the book Swear to Howdy, Rusty has just moved to Lost River. In search of a friend, he begins spending time with the neighbor boy his age, Joey. They become best friends and are always in search of the next mischievous activity. You join Rusty and Joey on their adventures of teasing their sisters and stirring up trouble. Most of it is harmless, until one day it goes terribly wrong.
Swear to Howdy was a cute book for me to read. Despite it being target towards younger aged kids, I could still...more
Swear to Howdy was a cute book for me to read. Despite it being target towards younger aged kids, I could still...more
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 really one to read thing...more
I LOVE this book! I'm not really one to read thing...more
Mar 14, 2012
Jennie
is currently reading it
I lost this book. Er, well, my brother lost it. It was two weeks overdue before I found the book, and while I hurried to read it on the way to the library, unfortunately I couldn't manage to finish it. So I have maybe twenty pages left.
That said, I'm a bit so-so about it. Other reviewers have said it is a boy's book, and that's true. It's also a lot more Children's than YA, and despite my love of YA, I tend to have a harder time getting into Children's books.
I have a feeling something bad is go...more
That said, I'm a bit so-so about it. Other reviewers have said it is a boy's book, and that's true. It's also a lot more Children's than YA, and despite my love of YA, I tend to have a harder time getting into Children's books.
I have a feeling something bad is go...more
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 expect a boy to tell the story a...more
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 expect a boy to tell the story a...more
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
From time to time my brother, a seventh-grade language arts teacher, passes books on to me. His choices are usually good, but SWEAR TO HOWDY is a little masterpiece. Van Draanen spins a charming story about two young boys, Joey and Rusty, and their small-town adventures chasing huge frogs, shooting cans, and tormenting their older sisters are pure TOM SAWYER. You can almost taste the long summer days. But about two thirds of the way through this breezy tale the book takes an incredible 90-degree...more
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
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 Rusty are best...more
In the book, Swear To Howdy by, Wendelin Van Draanen The two main characters, Joey and Rusty are best...more
AUTHOR PRESENTATION
This book is about the main character, Rusty, and his best friend Joey. The novel starts with their boyish adventures, but soon takes a more serious tone. Joey has an abusive father, and eventually, Rusty and Joey accidentally cause the death of Joey's sister. As he has done in the past, Joey makes Rusty swear not to tell, but neither boy is dealing well with the secret. In the end, Rusty barely prevents Joey's suicide. It seems like Joey will never forgive Rusty for telling,...more
This book is about the main character, Rusty, and his best friend Joey. The novel starts with their boyish adventures, but soon takes a more serious tone. Joey has an abusive father, and eventually, Rusty and Joey accidentally cause the death of Joey's sister. As he has done in the past, Joey makes Rusty swear not to tell, but neither boy is dealing well with the secret. In the end, Rusty barely prevents Joey's suicide. It seems like Joey will never forgive Rusty for telling,...more
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 best for kids, as it...more
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 terrible to keep....more
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....more
Wendelin Van Draanen, you are my hero. The only woman who could pull off making your typical friendship, sworn-secrets-going-too-far story into a gut-wrenching tale that swings from sweet to bitter in a matter of ONE PAGE.
The characters. The emotion. The build-up. The connection. The spacing. The timing. The Whammy. It's all so perfect and glorious.
Rusty and Joey are the best little Southern kids since I don't know who. (I'd say Tom Sawyer, but I didn't particular like that book, so.) Seriously...more
The characters. The emotion. The build-up. The connection. The spacing. The timing. The Whammy. It's all so perfect and glorious.
Rusty and Joey are the best little Southern kids since I don't know who. (I'd say Tom Sawyer, but I didn't particular like that book, so.) Seriously...more
Swear to Howdy starts off as a buddy story with plenty of hijinks, although there are some ominous hints that something is going to go Terribly Wrong. By the time tragedy does strike near the end of the book, you've gotten to know the characters well enough that it's a real sucker punch. The ending is almost too hopeful considering what has happened, although it's obvious that the characters are never going to be completely "okay." This seems like a concession to the age of the audience-- a more...more
Wendelin Van Draanen has two sons. She should probably thank them for helping her write Swear to Howdy, because I swear to howdy, she totally understands a boy's mind. Frog poop that looks like fried green tomatoes? Shooting cans with a 22? Blood brothers? Yup. No one who has daughters could have written so vividly in guy language.
This skinny book putts along, making you, its unsuspecting reader, chuckle. "What a cute, light read." Until-BAM! You're knocked on your butt.
Swear to Howdy would make...more
This skinny book putts along, making you, its unsuspecting reader, chuckle. "What a cute, light read." Until-BAM! You're knocked on your butt.
Swear to Howdy would make...more
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 fun and pran...more
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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 into mischief....more
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. In fa...more
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 stuff and conceque...more
This was a good book. Lots of laughs, but definately some serious stuff and conceque...more
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 a...more
Rusty is the new kid in town. He meets his neighbor Joey & they become best friends. They swear to "Howdy" all their secrets-like when they find "Tank" a hug frog from the local pond & they hid it in Joey's teenage sister's drawer. But Rusty notices how mean & enraged Joey's dad becomes when something goes wrong. Then trick the boys play related to the Ghost of Lost River ends in tragedy. Will Joey & Rusty still be able to keep the secret of their involvment as they "Swear to How...more
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XD
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XD
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Wendelin Van Draanen (born January 6, 1965, Chicago, Illinois) is an American author of children's books. She lives in California with her husband Mark Parsons and two sons, Colton and Connor. The daughter of chemists who emigrated to the U.S. from Holland, she worked as a math teacher and then as a high school computer science teacher before becoming a full-time writer. Her books feature spunky l...more
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Nov 10, 2011 01:28am