The Tunnel of Hugsy Goode (Odyssey/Harcourt Young Classic

The Alley #2

by Eleanor Estes, Edward Ardizzone (Illustrator)

Nobody believed Hugsy Goode when he prophesied that a tunnel lay beneath the alley until--generations later--Nicholas (alias Copin) and Timothy (alias Tornid) decide to explore. And lo and behold, right under the vine-covered hole outside the house where Hugsy Goode used to live, they find an entrance to adventures beyond their wildest dreams.
A sequel to "The Alley."

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile

244 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1971

About the author

Eleanor Ruth Rosenfeld (Estes)was an American children's author. She was born in West Haven, Connecticut as Eleanor Ruth Rosenfield. Originally a librarian, Estes' writing career began following a case of tuberculosis. Bedridden while recovering, Estes began writing down some of her childhood memories, which would later turn into full-length children's books.

Estes's book Ginger Pye (1951) won the Newbery Medal, and three of her other books (The Middle Moffat, Rufus M., and The Hundred Dresses) were chosen as Newbery Honor books. She also received the Certificate of Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Literature and was nominated for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. By the time of her death at age 82, Estes had written 19 children's books and one novel for adults.

Reviews

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably my least favorite so far of books I've read by Eleanor Estes. There were parts that were very good, but also parts that were just strange. This is an excellent example of voice, but I found that voice to be just a little annoying. I'm glad to have finally read this, but it's not a book I'll ever reread. On the other hand, as a kid, I would have loved the idea of finding a hidden tunnel underground!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is not my favourite book by Eleanor Estes (I love the Moffats series), I enjoyed the story of two boys' imagination and sense of adventure. I like how she put in little nuggets about the lives of the children that I find so interesting, like how that Copin addressed his neighbour as "Jane" (he explained that it was the custom in his family to address the other parents by their first names) while Tornid, probably from a more traditional family, stayed with the more respectful "Mrs Ives". Copin described how in Tornid's family, everyone sat at the table till dinner was over, and then the children would kiss their mother and thank her for the meal, and also how it was a custom in Tornid's family to be honest and to care about animals. I like the part where the children was astounded to hear how one of their neighbours, a college girl on her break, was still in bed at lunchtime (typical college student habit), while they had been up and completed a whole list of activities in the morning. Copin described how he had never been on the El train, even though he can see and hear the trains from his house in the three years he has stayed there. So I can empathize a little with his decision to just go and take the train, though not informing his parents was his big mistake. A typical eleven-year-old boy at that time, Copin did not like girls and called them "contamination" and eight-year-old Tornid followed his older friend's example, though there were signs in the second half of the book that Copin was getting over his dislike of girls, and was finding ways to make peace with them. I also liked how one of the college students (who was featured in an earlier book "The Alley") protested over the use of his childhood nickname - "What would my friends back in Michigan think?"

[Rose Holguin]

Decided that this one was worth putting down before I finished... I was disappointed. Since I loved The Alley quite a lot when a kid, I was excited to find this sequel. But reading it as an adult, the plot seemed unconvincing and the narrator's voice felt unbelievable... even for an eleven year old in the '60s. To be fair, I did kinda love that Estes referenced Beatles songs, yet didn't get the lyrics quite right!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun ending!! This book grew on me- the first half was “ setting the plot/ somewhat slow”, and I considered not finishing the book, but I plodded on and enjoyed the second half much better!! Eleanor Estes has such a creative mind!!! Now on to Miranda the Great, Lord willing!

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle: great! Return to library.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleanor Estes's writing style gets a little repetitive and tedious to read aloud, but her books are also always funny and quirky. Not my favorite series of hers, but still a cute book.

[Nix · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like how he called girls pollution (I think). It was also sort of scary.

[Mitchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

เล่มนี้อ่านแล้วไม่ค่อยเข้าใจเลย ไม่รู้เป็นอะไร ทั้งๆที่มันเป็นหนังสือเด็กแท้ๆ เลยใช้เวลาอ่านตั้งนาน
แต่ช่วงท้ายๆสนุกดี

[Carolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Playa vista library Tu 12.30-8.00

[Kidsbookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might have missed this delightful Estes story, but it's one that shouldn't be missed. What a cute story!

[Angela]

I was disappointed because I LOVE Eleanor Estes other books but this one was too dated and convoluted character-wise to get into.

[Grlz Grftn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my girls when they were small and it was one of those bedtime stories the three of us couldn't wait to get to each night. An adventure story full of unexpected twists. Fun!

[Diana180]

#childrens

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

DGTRI DIDN'T READ