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Howard Boward
How to Make Friends and Monsters
Some Friends Are Just Worth Making For Howard Boward, science genius, making friends in middle school is hard. The other kids have more fun creatively expanding Howard’s name than actually hanging out, as in How-weird or How-Lame . . So, why not actually make a friend? A little wonder putty, some DNA, a few accidentally spilled chemicals and― boom! ―instant friend. Monster friend, that is. Franklin ends up being cool in middle school, and he helps Howard climb the uber-popular ladder, becoming How-Cool . But the new fame and friendship isn’t exactly everything Howard hoped. Turns out real friendship might not be so simple, even when you create your own friends from scratch.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2012
2 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Ron Bates
11 books21 followersRon Bates began his career as a newspaper reporter in Texas, and later became an editor and columnist. His humorous features led him to a job as the resident humor columnist for three of Legacy Publishing’s regional magazines. As a freelance writer, Bates’ works include the children’s story, “Arnold Bought a Bug,” and “St. Mary’s and the Art of War,” the true story of how Italian POWs transformed a tiny Texas church. Bates also wrote the Cranium Comics series “Brawn,” the inspirational play, “Flight 1615,” and “Underground Ink,” a collection of funny poems. An award-winning copywriter, Bates lives in Frisco, Texas. howtomakefriendsandmonsters.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 7, 2015
I received How To Make Friends and Monsters by Ron Bates from the publisher, and this is my honest review.
How To Make Friends and Monsters was a breath of fresh air compared to the YA and Adult i’ve been reading. In this story we meet Howard who doesn’t really have many friends. So throughout the book we follow him on his journey to somehow making friends, and let me tell you it wasn’t not easy. Howard is a 7th grader and he is what most people would call a nerd I guess and he doesn’t have many friends. His solution to this problem is to use what he knows best (science) and make himself a “friend” many things went wrong but many things went right as well.
I don’t normally read Middle Grade books but lately i’ve been giving them a try lately and so far I’ve been liking what I’m reading. This book was so breezy and fun. I loved it because it brought me back to the days when I was in Middle School which are times I miss dearly so I’m glad the book could take me back like that.
Howard was such a cute and sweet character. I loved how nerdy he was because I’m a nerd myself so I liked reading him try to make his way through middle school being himself. I also loved the way the author made the book fantasy but very believable I’m always impressed when books are believable.
Can we just talk about how much I loved Franklins character! He was supposed to be big and scary looking but he was such a sweetheart even when Howard was being rude he was so innocent. I hated the part in the book where they fought I felt so bad for Franklin, but I’m glad everything worked out.
I also enjoyed Howard’s character because he was a very creative young boy. I mean he had to have had an amazing imagination to create all those monsters!! In the end Howard did the right thing and I just enjoyed how well the book played out with the monsters and everything, this gets a solid 5 out of 5 stars
How To Make Friends and Monsters was a breath of fresh air compared to the YA and Adult i’ve been reading. In this story we meet Howard who doesn’t really have many friends. So throughout the book we follow him on his journey to somehow making friends, and let me tell you it wasn’t not easy. Howard is a 7th grader and he is what most people would call a nerd I guess and he doesn’t have many friends. His solution to this problem is to use what he knows best (science) and make himself a “friend” many things went wrong but many things went right as well.
I don’t normally read Middle Grade books but lately i’ve been giving them a try lately and so far I’ve been liking what I’m reading. This book was so breezy and fun. I loved it because it brought me back to the days when I was in Middle School which are times I miss dearly so I’m glad the book could take me back like that.
Howard was such a cute and sweet character. I loved how nerdy he was because I’m a nerd myself so I liked reading him try to make his way through middle school being himself. I also loved the way the author made the book fantasy but very believable I’m always impressed when books are believable.
Can we just talk about how much I loved Franklins character! He was supposed to be big and scary looking but he was such a sweetheart even when Howard was being rude he was so innocent. I hated the part in the book where they fought I felt so bad for Franklin, but I’m glad everything worked out.
I also enjoyed Howard’s character because he was a very creative young boy. I mean he had to have had an amazing imagination to create all those monsters!! In the end Howard did the right thing and I just enjoyed how well the book played out with the monsters and everything, this gets a solid 5 out of 5 stars
November 14, 2013
If you need a clever funny book for a 3rd grader or up this is it! Howard Boward is your typical misfit--small, nerdy without friends. When confronted by his mother about his lack of friends, Howard puts his scientific mind to work. You'll be both delighted and shocked by the results!
May 4, 2015
Oww! Such a sweet story :3
August 9, 2023
I read this with my kid and found it quite enjoyable. His review: it was good. I liked that Howard was able to learn his to make friends (not make like Franklin but make friends like Reynolds, Wendell, and maybe dkneday Winnie). I did not like that Howard had to make Franklin disappear.
My thoughts are that Howard could have been me. I was the nerdy kid who would face done anything to fit in. To me, like Howard, that meant being in with the popular crowd. That never happened to me and I never had to make a friend as I did have friends. Also, was a military kid and went to two diffferent middle schools and three high schools. The popular crowd were not always jerks and bullies. I felt fit Howard and understood his motivation - even in giving another kid a wedgie.
My thoughts are that Howard could have been me. I was the nerdy kid who would face done anything to fit in. To me, like Howard, that meant being in with the popular crowd. That never happened to me and I never had to make a friend as I did have friends. Also, was a military kid and went to two diffferent middle schools and three high schools. The popular crowd were not always jerks and bullies. I felt fit Howard and understood his motivation - even in giving another kid a wedgie.
December 9, 2019
I skimmed the majority of the book because I wanted to return it to the library, but the writing hooked me and I ended up reading more of it than I planned to. An interesting, scientific story about friendship (and monsters of course). The writing style is witty and funny, and the illustrations add a lot to the story.
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July 2, 2019This was a fun book to read with my kids.
October 3, 2013
If you are looking for an entertaining, humorous book for a middle-schooler, this is it! Howard Boward has a little in common with a lot of seventh graders. He is one. But there, the similarities seem to end for him. He has few friends, no, in all honesty, he has no friends. It is such an obvious lack that his mother buys him a book, "How to Make Friends". However, instead of reading it as "HOW to Make Friends", Howard sees the title as any nerdy junior scientist would: "How to MAKE Friends"!
Written in first person, and with Howard being prone to talk to himself, (a necessity since he has no friends to talk to), much of the book reveals Howard's character and thought processes to the reader. He is a creative boy trapped in an awkward, skinny body with a low self-esteem and a high IQ. The kind of junior-high student bullies look for- and find- daily!
Howard's description of the "in crowd" are those superstars of middle school who can utter "a single word and plunge another student to the bottom of the popularity ladder or raise you to that glorious place where even the eagles get nosebleeds." He dubs these chosen ones the UP's, the "uber-populars." At the beginning of the story Howard wants to be one. At the end of the book, he knows he had a close call with being one, but thankfully, he now knows the meaning of being a true friend--thanks to Franklin Stein.
Franklin Stein was the name Howard gave to the friend and monster he created out of spare parts and the DNA of various animals, (thanks to his animal catcher dad) and his natural ability to invent things. Secretly hanging out in his make-shift lab in the garage along with lab assistant, Reynolds Pipkin, the experiment became larger, literally, than Howard could have imagined. A creature began to take shape and with the help of a computer inputting information, a walking, talking friend emerged. Fortunately for Howard, as a last moment decision, he had thrown in some blonde follicles belonging to Winnie, one of the nicest, kindest seventh graders at school.
From Winnie and a few other kind characters in the book, Franklin morphed into Howard's true friend, not like one of the UP's he used to worship. A true friend doesn't have fun at the expense of others, coax others to do their work for them, use friends for selfish gain, or abandon friends in need.
Hopefully, this book will not only entertain but help readers define what a true friend is and how to be one!
The book is hilarious and a good read for all ages. Pre-teens should find it funny, I often found it hilarious. (reviewed by Carly D. Karns, Teacher at Alamance Christian School)
DISCLOSURE: Zonder provided a complimentary copy on behalf of the author for the purpose of this review. No compensation was received for this review.
Written in first person, and with Howard being prone to talk to himself, (a necessity since he has no friends to talk to), much of the book reveals Howard's character and thought processes to the reader. He is a creative boy trapped in an awkward, skinny body with a low self-esteem and a high IQ. The kind of junior-high student bullies look for- and find- daily!
Howard's description of the "in crowd" are those superstars of middle school who can utter "a single word and plunge another student to the bottom of the popularity ladder or raise you to that glorious place where even the eagles get nosebleeds." He dubs these chosen ones the UP's, the "uber-populars." At the beginning of the story Howard wants to be one. At the end of the book, he knows he had a close call with being one, but thankfully, he now knows the meaning of being a true friend--thanks to Franklin Stein.
Franklin Stein was the name Howard gave to the friend and monster he created out of spare parts and the DNA of various animals, (thanks to his animal catcher dad) and his natural ability to invent things. Secretly hanging out in his make-shift lab in the garage along with lab assistant, Reynolds Pipkin, the experiment became larger, literally, than Howard could have imagined. A creature began to take shape and with the help of a computer inputting information, a walking, talking friend emerged. Fortunately for Howard, as a last moment decision, he had thrown in some blonde follicles belonging to Winnie, one of the nicest, kindest seventh graders at school.
From Winnie and a few other kind characters in the book, Franklin morphed into Howard's true friend, not like one of the UP's he used to worship. A true friend doesn't have fun at the expense of others, coax others to do their work for them, use friends for selfish gain, or abandon friends in need.
Hopefully, this book will not only entertain but help readers define what a true friend is and how to be one!
The book is hilarious and a good read for all ages. Pre-teens should find it funny, I often found it hilarious. (reviewed by Carly D. Karns, Teacher at Alamance Christian School)
DISCLOSURE: Zonder provided a complimentary copy on behalf of the author for the purpose of this review. No compensation was received for this review.
January 26, 2014
In How to Make Friends and Monsters, Howard is your typical geeky character, unable to make friends and more interested in science than anything else. So, when his mother buys him a book about making friends, he takes it literally and decides it is time he made himself a friend. Needing to find some DNA to help with his project, he starts to consider the kids at his school. Although the popular students are popular, he finds that they may not make the best friend for him. Using some hair from local animals that his father works with, some of the popular kids from school, and that of a girl named Winnie (who seems pretty cool…), he creates Franklin Stein, who seems to be the perfect friend.
Not only is Franklin popular, athletic and easy to get along with, he seems to care for Howard and acts like a true and loyal friend. The only problem is, that as Howard and Franklin become more popular, he starts to see Franklin as a pain and starts to not want to hang out with him. Franklin disappears after Howard has left him behind and treated him in the worst way. It's then when the popular kids figure out how to use Howard – to make their own friends.
The problem is, their monsters do not turn out to be as great as Franklin and cause a lot of problems. Howard is eating up his sudden popularity and seems to push aside the help that Winnie, Franklin and even his nerdy neighbor Reynolds offer him. Howard learns a deep lesson in what it is like to be a true friend as this book goes on.
I really like Howard as a flawed character. He suddenly has everything he wants and thinks he can just get rid of his true friends to become even more popular. Luckily, his true friends are more forgiving and caring and accept his faults and problems.
Final Verdict: How to Make Friends and Monsters is a humorous way with fantastical elements that reveals what it takes to make a friendship truly work. I think a lot of my students would get a kick out of this book.
Not only is Franklin popular, athletic and easy to get along with, he seems to care for Howard and acts like a true and loyal friend. The only problem is, that as Howard and Franklin become more popular, he starts to see Franklin as a pain and starts to not want to hang out with him. Franklin disappears after Howard has left him behind and treated him in the worst way. It's then when the popular kids figure out how to use Howard – to make their own friends.
The problem is, their monsters do not turn out to be as great as Franklin and cause a lot of problems. Howard is eating up his sudden popularity and seems to push aside the help that Winnie, Franklin and even his nerdy neighbor Reynolds offer him. Howard learns a deep lesson in what it is like to be a true friend as this book goes on.
I really like Howard as a flawed character. He suddenly has everything he wants and thinks he can just get rid of his true friends to become even more popular. Luckily, his true friends are more forgiving and caring and accept his faults and problems.
Final Verdict: How to Make Friends and Monsters is a humorous way with fantastical elements that reveals what it takes to make a friendship truly work. I think a lot of my students would get a kick out of this book.
August 16, 2013
Advanced Reader's Copy was provided by Zonderkidz. Howard Boward is a bully magnet. He’s familiar with all the ways of bullies; he’s small, and he’s nerdy. His name is easy to mangle, too, in a wide variety of ways. He makes light of this bullying, and yet it’s clear to the reader that he really just wants to know what it feels like to be popular, to be liked. Because, let’s face it: Howard Boward is lonely.
Howard’s descriptions of the cool table in the lunch room, the slights in the hall, that feeling you get when you’d heard your name re-designed yet again, that emptiness when eyes look right through you, though veiled in humor, really did speak to what some kids truly feel in middle school.
When Howard decides to create a friend, he doesn’t do things by halves, either. His new friend, Franklin is a delight! When he paves the way for friend connections Howard never dreamed of, Howard is lured by popularity to make some bad decisions. We cringe and sigh and shake our heads at some of the choices he makes, but really, all he wants is to be liked! In the end, the reader learns alongside Howard just what makes a true friend.
The author’s characterization of Franklin Stein is particularly skillful, and the story line is engaging throughout. Andre Jolicoeur’s delightful spot drawings enhance the experience. All in all, How to Make Friends and Monsters is a satisfying book with a great ending; it will delight middle grade readers with its less than perfect characters and their less than perfect schemes, and might even make them stop and think about how we treat those around us.
You can support independent bookstores and authors by purchasing indie: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978031...
Howard’s descriptions of the cool table in the lunch room, the slights in the hall, that feeling you get when you’d heard your name re-designed yet again, that emptiness when eyes look right through you, though veiled in humor, really did speak to what some kids truly feel in middle school.
When Howard decides to create a friend, he doesn’t do things by halves, either. His new friend, Franklin is a delight! When he paves the way for friend connections Howard never dreamed of, Howard is lured by popularity to make some bad decisions. We cringe and sigh and shake our heads at some of the choices he makes, but really, all he wants is to be liked! In the end, the reader learns alongside Howard just what makes a true friend.
The author’s characterization of Franklin Stein is particularly skillful, and the story line is engaging throughout. Andre Jolicoeur’s delightful spot drawings enhance the experience. All in all, How to Make Friends and Monsters is a satisfying book with a great ending; it will delight middle grade readers with its less than perfect characters and their less than perfect schemes, and might even make them stop and think about how we treat those around us.
You can support independent bookstores and authors by purchasing indie: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978031...
November 18, 2013
Meet Howard Boward, a fully fledged stereotypical nerd who has a knack for getting bullied. He is super skinny, has braces and nerdy glasses, reads Goosebumps by R.L. Stine in the bathroom, and is a thimble collector. All throughout middle school he is known as How-Lame or How-Weird. Until an amazing mistake happens that turns some Wonder Putty and animal fur into an amazing monster named Franklin. Franklin is innocent, polite and finds his way rising to the top of the popularity ladder. Howard’s best friend Franklin is the only reason why he is hanging out with the UPs (Uber Popular), but when things take a turn for the worst, and all the UPs want a monster of their own, Howard must decide between his best friend or popularity.
Such a cute book! I didn’t like Howard as much as some of the other characters, maybe its because I know that friends are more important than popularity. I can’t really relate to Howard, because I (thankfully) have friends. My favorite character was a girl named Winnie, who Howard befriended, only to end up losing her as a friend. I liked her because all her words got through to Harold. I don’t know, I feel like she would be a great friend.
The ending bothered me a bit, I mean it was tied up nicely, but some details were thrown in randomly (details which would be spoilers, so I won’t say) which I didn’t appreciate. Thats the only thing that really bugged me. Can you guys guess what kind of POV this was? Thats right! First person!! Immediately, I liked this book much better. How to make Friends and Monsters is a cute and fairly quick read, and would totally recommend this book to kids ages 11-14. Bye!!
Such a cute book! I didn’t like Howard as much as some of the other characters, maybe its because I know that friends are more important than popularity. I can’t really relate to Howard, because I (thankfully) have friends. My favorite character was a girl named Winnie, who Howard befriended, only to end up losing her as a friend. I liked her because all her words got through to Harold. I don’t know, I feel like she would be a great friend.
The ending bothered me a bit, I mean it was tied up nicely, but some details were thrown in randomly (details which would be spoilers, so I won’t say) which I didn’t appreciate. Thats the only thing that really bugged me. Can you guys guess what kind of POV this was? Thats right! First person!! Immediately, I liked this book much better. How to make Friends and Monsters is a cute and fairly quick read, and would totally recommend this book to kids ages 11-14. Bye!!
July 23, 2013
I received this book at ALA Chicago 2013 from the publisher. This was an Advanced Reader Copy.
How To Make Friends and Monsters is a unique, fun read with very relate-able characters.
The main character, Howard Boward, is a middle school student who is not part of the UPS crowd. The UPS are the Uber Popular Students. Howard is a science geek and due to this, he is teased and picked on at school. Howard is lonely and doesn't have any friends. Desperate to change this, he sets up a secret science lab in his families garage. Howard decides that he is going to make/create a friend/monster.
The story follows Howard, as he goes about creating this monster/friend he names Franklin Stein. The two become great friends. Franklin attends school with Howard and becomes part of the Uber Popular Crowd, skyrocketing Howard along with him. This is a dream come true for Howard. All he ever wanted was to fit in and have friends. However, Howard realizes being popular isn't everything he dreamed of.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend this book. This book is perfect for ages 9 and up. The main character is a middle school student but the story line and content are appropriate for younger readers as well.
How To Make Friends and Monsters is a unique, fun read with very relate-able characters.
The main character, Howard Boward, is a middle school student who is not part of the UPS crowd. The UPS are the Uber Popular Students. Howard is a science geek and due to this, he is teased and picked on at school. Howard is lonely and doesn't have any friends. Desperate to change this, he sets up a secret science lab in his families garage. Howard decides that he is going to make/create a friend/monster.
The story follows Howard, as he goes about creating this monster/friend he names Franklin Stein. The two become great friends. Franklin attends school with Howard and becomes part of the Uber Popular Crowd, skyrocketing Howard along with him. This is a dream come true for Howard. All he ever wanted was to fit in and have friends. However, Howard realizes being popular isn't everything he dreamed of.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend this book. This book is perfect for ages 9 and up. The main character is a middle school student but the story line and content are appropriate for younger readers as well.
July 14, 2013
Would you like to go through life with the name Howard Boward? Can you imagine the grief you would get from other kids at school? They call him "How-lame" or "How-weird" and even less complimentary things. He is great at school work and he's a science genius - but he has no friends. When his mom gives him a book called How to Make Friends, Howard decides to take it literally and creates a friend for himself out in his lab. You can imagine all the problems that might cause, but Howard does learn about how to make and keep friends.
If you have ever felt invisible because you're not one of the "popular kids," or ever thought that nobody understands you and appreciates you - then you will understand Howard. This book reminded me a lot of the Origami Yoda series and the way Dwight tries to fit in at school.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy Origami Yoda, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and other humorous school stories about kids trying to fit in and make friends.
I read an e-book version provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
If you have ever felt invisible because you're not one of the "popular kids," or ever thought that nobody understands you and appreciates you - then you will understand Howard. This book reminded me a lot of the Origami Yoda series and the way Dwight tries to fit in at school.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy Origami Yoda, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and other humorous school stories about kids trying to fit in and make friends.
I read an e-book version provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
October 10, 2013
This book is a delight in every possible way.
When I received this book in the mail, my first reaction was, "So cute!" and then "Perfect size!" and then "Perfect cover material!" and then "I sure hope it's good!" It was not a disappointment.
Howard Boward is a brilliant little nerd with a streak of passive sarcasm and probably one of my favorite main characters ever. Oh, and Franklin... Franklin Franklin Franklin. He's the BEST. Oh my gosh he's freaking (franklin'?) adorable. And then Reynolds and Winnie are great supporting characters, not to mention everyone in Howard's family. How often are ALL of the characters so well done? Very rarely, is the answer to that question.
If anyone dares say that the plot is too crazy and farfetched I might punch them in the face, because that is hardly a big issue in this book. I think the plot is perfect. Howard makes plenty of stupid decisions, but he learns his lesson in the end.
And the illustrations are franklin' adorable (can I coin that phrase?).
It's basically just an adorable little book.
When I received this book in the mail, my first reaction was, "So cute!" and then "Perfect size!" and then "Perfect cover material!" and then "I sure hope it's good!" It was not a disappointment.
Howard Boward is a brilliant little nerd with a streak of passive sarcasm and probably one of my favorite main characters ever. Oh, and Franklin... Franklin Franklin Franklin. He's the BEST. Oh my gosh he's freaking (franklin'?) adorable. And then Reynolds and Winnie are great supporting characters, not to mention everyone in Howard's family. How often are ALL of the characters so well done? Very rarely, is the answer to that question.
If anyone dares say that the plot is too crazy and farfetched I might punch them in the face, because that is hardly a big issue in this book. I think the plot is perfect. Howard makes plenty of stupid decisions, but he learns his lesson in the end.
And the illustrations are franklin' adorable (can I coin that phrase?).
It's basically just an adorable little book.
March 5, 2015
This is a preteen novel, about a smart little boy named Howard Boward, who is bullied in Middle School and does not have any friends. His mother buys him a book, “How to Make Friends” and he takes it literary and in a chemical lab, he makes a Monster, which he names Franklin Stein, who becomes his friend. And the story takes us through their adventures. I liked the book a lot because it did touch some on the topic of bullying, which is happening now not only in schools, but in the corporate world. For a short while, he becomes friends with the bullies because they like Franklin, as he is good at sports, since he is huge and strong. Then Howard ignores Franklin, wanting the bullies to like just him. The bullies want Howard to make monsters for them, and he does and they are mean just like the bullies. So, Howard learns that his real friend is Franklin. In the process he also becomes friends with a few other kids in the school, who learn to appreciate Howard’s intelligence and creativity.
July 22, 2013
How to Make Friends and Monsters is the story of Howard Boward who is a geek (not like this is a bad thing, mind you!) and a genius. The problem is that in junior high, being a geek and a genius won’t help you make friends, as Howard quickly learns. When his mom decides to step in and give him a book on how to make friends, well… Howard puts an interesting spin on the suggestions in the book, deciding that it means he needs to be a scientist, complete with experiences that don’t quite end well...
Full review on my webpage.
Full review on my webpage.
May 29, 2014
I really loved this little book. Bates is a great writer. He's extremely witty and funny, and I laughed at this book a lot. Bates effortlessly gets his themes across without being heavy handed (surprising for a middle school book), discussing the ideas of loneliness and fitting in. The book also teaches a good amount of science, which was interesting. Ultimately, Bates teaches us that monsters might not always be what they seem, and that everyone feels a little lonely sometimes. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves witty narrators, books about science, or just a good old story about making friends and monsters.
February 19, 2015
As some people Howard wanted to make a friend but Reynolds threw his wonder put through the electric stand and into the electric and he created a monster so he keeps taking the monster to school then he put his friend in Facespace (which is facebook in the book) because he made friends.
October 30, 2016
Possible read alike for Wimpy Kid. It's a little long for reluctant readers if they have a reading disability. Otherwise, fun book that makes a point about popularity, bullying, and being a good friend.
June 26, 2013
Cute, fun middle grade book.
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July 14, 2013Update 4/14/13- Review coming soon as I have to wait for it appear at it's original review site listing.
December 20, 2013
Loved this book! I literally laughed out loud many, many times! If you like to laugh (who doesn't??) and enjoy a book with a message, then this story is for you!
February 4, 2016
Asher (9yo) ALMOST read. (He got to chapter 58 of 62). "Very cool and I want to know which chemicals he used and how to get wonder puddy to make my own monster friend."
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September 30, 2018The 13-year-old read this and he says it’s pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews