Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night: The Seventeenth Book of Their Adventures

Henry and Mudge #17

by Cynthia Rylant, Suçie Stevenson

Children's paperback book.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Friendship, Animals

Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.

Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.

Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.

Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy"]

Sweet stories these series!

[Ruth]

I will never outgrow my love for Henry and Mudge. When I have a bad day, they cheer me up!

[J9]

We're really enjoying the Henry and Mudge series. This was a level 2 reading book, and my 5 yr old is quickly becoming proficient at this level, a good portion due to Henry and Mudge. The stories about Henry and his dog Mudge are stories that young readers can relate to and find funny as well. Mudge's antics even make my preschoolers laugh. This book had a bio about the author and illustration in the back, with pictures of them and their dogs. My son was riveted and loved hearing about the people that came up with Henry and Mudge. The illustrator's dog is named Merlin, just like our lab, and my son got a real kick out of that. These books are helping him to recognize authors, illustrators and the meanings of chapters, tables of contents and the meaning of indexes. Overall, lots of fun and a great educational tool.

[Sarah]

Nothing outrageous happens in this story, it is just a sweet simple introduction to camping.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter]

Henry, Mudge, and Henry’s parents go camping and enjoy hikes, sappy love songs, sleeping under the stars, smells, and not meeting bears. I enjoyed the imagery in this one, especially since summer is approaching now and camping feels very appealing at the moment. Also enjoyed that the mom was the camping expert and we diverted from the outdoorsy man stereotype. There was one spot where I thought the transition was a little unclear and I actually checked to make sure I didn’t miss a page. Overall a fine Henry and mudge read.

[Mila]

DNF after page 24.

It was a little too gentle for me. Some of the Henry and Mudges I read don't have enough tension, and I like tension just like The High Rise Private Eyes series by Cynthia Rylant. That I liked, because there was mystery. I did not like this book because it was too gentle, and I just couldn't handle it. I like story mountains that go up and down, and up and down, like double story mountains. So that is my opinion of this book!

[Anthony]

It's the month of August, and time for the annual camping trip. Henry, and Henry's big dog Mudge went with Henry's family. They arrived at Big Bear Lake, and went hiking to find the perfect spot to camp. They found the perfect spot and watched the stars after the camp was set-up, and the sun went down.

[Adria Kinney]

A sweet and wholesome story that would be a great way to get children excited about camping, hiking, and spending time in the great outdoors! To be honest, this book doesn’t have much of a plot, but it is still an enjoyable read — the illustrations are cozy and comforting, and it’s nice to watch the family enjoy their outing together. It’s fun to see the love between Henry and Mudge, too.

[Tym]

Adorable, Henry and Mudge are the perfect pair to show kids this camping story, cute illustrations. It reminds me of when I would take my nephew hiking with my own big dog. Nostalgia hit me right in the gut with this one

[Alex]

I enjoyed this book because I like Henry and Mudge books. I also enjoyed this book because I like camps.

[Sarah]

If only camping was that easy....who on earth would haul a guitar if you're hiking?

[Cat]

Brings back memories of camping as a kid and all night cook outs with neighbors and family. Lovely tale!

[Elizabeth]

This sweet story is when Henry and Mudge and Henry's mom and dad go camping. They have such a nice time enjoying nature.

[WinterBat]

Wholesome family trip

[Karol]

An enjoyable story that made me think about my trips to Big Bear with my dogs and family.

[Trish]

Fun! Recommended for the Logos Library for beginning readers.

[Le Maistre Chat]

Henry and Mudge go camping with their parents.
Just OK. There are numerous Henry and Mudge books I enjoy reading to my 2-year-old more.

[TJE]

Really liking Henry and Mudge books lately and loved this one. Wanted to go camping and do much of what the book shows.

[Emma]

I only camp in comfort.

[Ilyen Marban]

Book about Henry and Mudge going camping, a beginner chapter book.

[Margaux]

Childhood favorite series. Loved this one - Henry and Mudge are such a fun pair to go on an adventure with. Great for elementary readers.

[Josiah]

Henry and Mudge make a terrific pair; after all, what friends could be closer than a boy and his dog? Though Henry lacks a brother or sister to sit beside in front of the crackling campfire after a trek into the wilderness, no sibling with whom he can whisper and giggle late into the night, sharing secrets and snacks and stories, Mudge is as solid, friendly and goofy a companion as he could want. When you're far from home, backpacking in the woods with only one of two parents knowing where they're going, it's good to have a big, strong dog at your side so you don't have to fear any bear attacks.

There's a lot to see in the wild blue yonder, and Henry is looking forward to every single sight as he sets out with his parents and Mudge on a camping trip. They might see a gurgling stream capsize over into a roaring waterfall, a thin rainbow arcing overhead, created in the vapory mist rising from where the water crashes to the waterfall's base. They might see wild deer in the meadows, and fish leaping from swiftly moving rivers. Half the fun of camping underneath the stars is the sights witnessed on the way there, and excitedly pointing them out to each other, even if Mudge is more interested in sniffing out the trails of animals that moved through the area several days ago.

But any night spent beneath the silky black skies of the undeveloped outdoors is bound to produce wonderment at the billions of stars poured out through all of the Milky Way, stars too numerous to comprehend, let alone begin to accurately count. Beneath the satiny heavens in the wilderness, the stars appear so many more than when ambient light from the city wrestles for one's attention, and Henry cuddles beside his faithful friend and stares in awe at the beautiful night that woos their imagination. Nothing could be better than camping together with one's closest friends and family and really seeing the stars for the first time, safe in the lush green forests after a day of fun. It's Henry and Mudge, together, a classic friendship to be cherished for as long as stories are read and stars continue to light our way through the night.

Seventeen books into the Henry and Mudge series, Cynthia Rylant has lost none of the duo's simple charm, and it definitely shows in Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night. The time spent with this boy and his dog is a privilege, indeed, and sure to be memorable for readers of all ages who enjoy the books. There are no major adventures ever embarked upon by Henry and Mudge, but that's okay; their friendship is built on the steady foundation of silly personal exchanges and quiet closeness, and many other pairs of friends could benefit from watching how Henry and Mudge get along. I believe I would give two and a half stars to Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night, and I recommend it for anyone who appreciates a simple story well told.

[Jennifer Weiss]

Henry and Mudge do many things together throughout the series. Henry is a young boy and Mudge is his dog. In this story Henry's family goes camping in the woods. Henry is very excited for the trip, he is anticipating seeing many animals, and is even apprehensive about running into a few unwanted animals. Once they got to "Big Bear Lake" Henry and Mudge went on a walk together, Henry saw many things in the woods, while Mudge did not. In this book, it gives some of Henry's perspectives and then some of Mudge's as well, which would really intrigue a young reader to have insight into the life of a dog and the experiences that the dog might have. This series also does a fabulous job of creating relatable experiences for the children to read about, the events are mostly completely plausible. I think that these are also great books to have in a classroom or around the house for young readers to enjoy. They are simple chapter books, yet so rewarding for a child when they finish one. Also, since it is a series, the children will crave reading more since there is a whole list of books and adventures that Henry and Mudge go on.

[Chantelle]

My son and I both thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and were excited to find out what would happen as we started each one. Because my son was between 5-6 years old (he's an advanced reader) at the time, he easily identified with Henry and loved Mudge because (1) he desperately wanted a dog, and (2) Mudge's goofiness was endearing AND hilarious.

Read Aloud: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Introduces plot, character development, foreshadowing, and use of imagery.

Independent Reading: First or Second grade (6-7 years old). More complex sentence structure than "Mr. Putter Series" and slightly longer paragraphs. Short chapters (with clever titles), character development, humor, and an easy to follow plot will encourage all children to read.

Underlying themes of friendship, thoughtfulness, and responsibility are seamlessly weaved throughout the book. Although this is a fairly simple children's book, I found myself laughing out loud at the many adventures of Henry and Mudge.

HIGHLY Recommend!!

[Dolly]

This is a great story about Henry and Mudge and Henry's parents going on a camping trip. A real camping trip, where you hike in with everything you need on your back and you are alone with nature, not in a marked camping area, with a shower and bathroom within a few yards. It was a fun story to read aloud and we talked about the constellations that were featured in the story. Good way to introduce stargazing.

[Linda]

I'm beginning to find some audio books for the beginning readers & found this by Cynthia Rylant who is always so good! This is a wonderful story about going camping. It's short, but manages to get all the good parts in: animals, hiking, backpacks, dogs sniffing, campfire cooking, cozy tent, and amazing stars at nighttime. It's good!

[Shelleyburns]

Beginning Reader chapter book. Grades K-2. Themes - Families, camping trip. This is a cute story of Henry, his father, mother and dog Mudge on a camping trip. This book works well when working on comprehension skills such as drawing conclusions. It is also a good book to use when practicing reading skills such as; using picture clues, context clues, beginning sounds, and word chunks.

[Christy]

In this seventeenth book of their adventures, Henry and Mudge go camping with Henry's parents. They'll go on hikes and smell good smells. They'll see deer and raccoons and waterfalls and rainbows. Henry's mother will cook camp food and Henry's father will sing sappy old songs, and they'll all lie on their backs and look at the stars (except for Mudge -- he'll chew on a log

[Nicole]

This book is one of many great books for beginning readers. There are many in a series about the infamous duo of Henry and Mudge. The books are in a range of different reading levels so they grow with the child as he/she gains confidence in reading.

This book pairs great with a readers theater script found online. Kids love it and it pairs great with the book. Great for reading fluency.

[Cathy Smith]

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. Henry and Mudge, what characters! Going camping, and no bears! They are so glad....the drawings are really well done, and the story is good for kids to understand and enjoy. It is great for kids to see that watching the stars and singing songs with adults can be fun. A great read for all.