The Case of the Burrowing Robot

Hank the Cowdog #42

by John R. Erickson, Gerald L. Holmes (Illustrator)

An unearthly being has burrowed in Sally May's vegetable garden. Hank tries to dig the space monster robot out of its hole. But when Sally May catches Hank in the ruined garden she blames him. Ashamed, Hank hits the road. Beginning his exile he runs into his old friend, Madame Moonshine. Will she help Hank clear his good name?

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Mystery, Juvenile, Humor

125 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

John R. Erickson, a former cowboy and ranch manager, is gifted with a storyteller's knack for spinning a yarn. Through the eyes of Hank the Cowdog, a smelly, smart-aleck Head of Ranch Security, Erickson gives readers a glimpse of daily life on a ranch in the West Texas Panhandle. This series of books and tapes is in school libraries across the country, has sold more than 7.6 million copies, is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and is the winner of the 1993 Audie for Outstanding Children's Series from the Audio Publisher's Association. Publishers Weekly calls Hank a "grassroots publishing phenomena," and USA Today says this is "the best family entertainment in years."

Hank the Cowdog made his debut in the pages of The Cattleman, a magazine for adults, and when Erickson started getting "Dear Hank" letters, he knew he was onto something. So in 1983, he self-published 2,000 copies of The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, and they sold out in 6 weeks.

When teachers began inviting Erickson to their schools, Hank found his most eager fans. Teachers, librarians, and students alike love Hank. According to some Texas Library Association surveys, the Hank the Cowdog books are the most popular selections in many libraries' children's sections. The lively characters make excellent material for reading and writing lessons, and turn even the most reluctant readers into avid Hank-fans.

Erickson was born in Midland, Texas, but by the age of 3, he had moved with his family to Perryton, Texas, where he and his wife live today on their working cattle ranch. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. His advice to young writers is, "Write about something you know. Try to leave your readers better off than they were before."

Reviews

[Chad Hailey]

It was a very good and readable screen!

[Vanessa Dargain · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unauthorized something other is burrowing into Sally Mae's garden
The ranch security head has to find it before he gets the blame for the
damage . . . Caution . The unauthorized something or other may a"Armatunafisho" from outer space .

[Darryl Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read pretty much this entire series years ago after I descovered them in my elementary school libary. The plot, and characters are great. Plus these books are extremly funny. I loved this series then and I still love it.

[Merceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about an armadillo digging up the newly planted garden, and how Hank managed to tear up the garden trying to get to the armadillo who was actually a burrowing robot was outer space, in his opinion.

[Mona M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really funny. Great for a good laugh. :)