The Case of the Halloween Ghost

Hank the Cowdog #9

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

Hank the cowdog has one of the scariest adventures of his life when he and his cowardly companion, Drover, find themselves in a strange and spooky place on Halloween night.

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Fiction, Halloween, Audiobook, Adventure, Animals

131 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1987

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

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1993/1994 someone donated a "box" set of Hank the Cowdog books to the group home I lived in. I remember well that the set included 22 books and I remember flying through them one by one. I'm not sure I was in the age range of the target audience, but I loved them nonetheless. It is a fond memory in a sea of uncertainty. I can honestly say that these books got me through a rough time.

[Alberta Madrid Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure what got into my husband but he wanted to read this 😂😂 He grew up reading Hank the cow dog and let me tell you, it’s hilarious! Such a fun and funny read! I was cracking up! I would def read this with the kiddos but be warned shut up is used a few times and moron. But this was so fun and I have a feeling we will be reading more of these. (Highly recommend the audiobook)

[Sahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess it's the power of Hank, the head security of the ranch, that I ended up reading this book a day before Halloween , such a pleasant coincidence, trick'r tree😄
I also guess Junior and Vallace are the best Buzzard ZZ-Top kind of a band ever if they come to peace and sing together 😍

[Mya.s · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book because I love halloween and I love scary books and mysteries.I want to remember that he said I hate halloween and ghost can't come in my ranch.When I was little I thought ghost were real.I have a big question why does hank not like halloween.I predict that the ghost will pop out at night and scare them.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was hilarious! It’s for little kids but I was the only one laughing! I listened to it with the girls on our drive to dance each week. They still enjoyed it though because once we were done they wanted to listen to another one. It’s about a ranch dog Hank and he tries to solve mysteries. The narrator is the author...I believe. It’s super fun!

[Pantheios · Rating 4 out of 5]

"می خواستی یه چیزی رو بگی که قبلا هم صد دفعه گفته بودی."
"آره. آره. شب به خیر، دراور."
"همین؟"
"شب به خیر، دراور و اون دهن گاله ت رو ببند."
"اوه. شب به خیر، هنک."
"شب به خیر، دراور."
"شب به خیر."
"شب به خیر."
"شب خوش، هنک."
"شب خفه شو، دراور."

[DocHolidavid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank the Cowdog (HTCD): #9 The Case of the Halloween Ghost***

In this one Erickson has taken terror to a new level.

During the scariest time of year, All Saints Eve, John R. Erickson’s #9 takes place near one of the most petrifying places on earth – a bois d’arc forest.

To ease its creepy character, a pause page is provided to dismiss your prepubescents. Although, be warned that inconsistently and bared in raw uncensored prose is an earlier tryst between a dusty desert flower, petunia, and the hired man, Slim.

Late in the narrative, J.R. invokes a holy spook in the cakehouse – differing but similar to the Holy Ghost in the Christchurch. This a serious impartation within the HTCD serial – not to be confused with cereal, or cake for that matter.

Don’t read this one to just any nipper.

Doc Holidavid

[J Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several chapters. Well done. They pray before they eat. Good sound effects and music, mostly. Some music I don't care for, but not too much of this. Background music is pretty good -- "I Dream of Jeannie", "Suwannee River" and much more. There is a lot of background music throughout. Uses "darn" and "heck" frequently. Clean and wholesome stories for children. Corny humor both adult and childish. Kids would like it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8 year old son is absolutely loving this series! This was a really fun one to read leading up to Halloween. I love the stories too but even more wonderful is watching my son's reactions as we read. Warms a mother's heart! :)

[John Stults · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Grand daughters loved the story
Hank and Drover find tricker trees 😀 and meet a ghost
Great fun
Hank saves the day with Slim’s cowboy round steak.
Great fun I highly recommend

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all love Hank and we've read a number of the books in the past. The youngest took this out from her school library to read as a bedtime book. It was good, just like all of them. Hank's been a personal favorite of mine since I was young.

[Mersedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my FAVORITE of the series. I giggled all the way through it and was even a little spooked by it. Fantastic read for fall! :D

[Gabby Kasnowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth grade and above. Mystery. I absolutely loved this book. There is humor, action, and always a mystery in Hank the Cowdog that the kids just love!

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to skip forward to the scary hank for October

[Julia Orr · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a ghost. A real one. Miss Viola fed wieners to Hank because she didn't want to eat them because they were burnt.

[Meredith Nunley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious and such a fun read!

[Kelsey Hermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Juniper Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these audiobooks. So fun!

[Minnesota Boy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt short.Good Book

[Lesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even having read 3 Hank the Cowdog books just today, I still enjoyed this one pretty well (take my word for it when I say that it's a little tiresome to read such concentrated HtCd).

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my boys' favorites of the Hank the Cowdog series. We had a lot of fun listening to it this past Halloween season.

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank and Drover hear strange voices after they are offered a night inside Slim's house, which is unusual in itself. But Slim herds them into his bed to warm it up while he warms his bottom next to the stove. It goes downhill from there as Slim prepares for a date with Viola.

[Raine Rucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's me again, Hank the Cowdog."

So begins the ninth installment of John R. Erickson's Hank the Cowdog series. And I'd like to note right at the beginning of this review that the series does not have to be read in order -- any and every book in this series is a good stand alone story.

Hank the Cowdog is Head of Ranch Security in ranch in Texas. As the Head of Ranch Security he ensures the safety of the ranch and deals with any trespassers, whether they be human, animal, or ghost. Except, he doesn't believe in ghosts. Or does he?

In this book you will meet Drover, Hank's loyal if somewhat cowardly side kick, who does seem to have slightly more sense than Hank. You'll also meet a ranch hand named Slim Chance, a couple of lost buzzards, five trick or treaters, and a ghost who doesn't care that Hank doesn't believe in it.

All these characters, added to the fact that Hank can never keep his nose out of trouble (and is always wondering why he keeps getting in trouble) makes for a great read. I would like to recommend, however, that you either read it aloud or get the audio book version of it. It seems to me that this particular book is just better when it's no longer just words on a page.

[Lisa Delaine Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook, like all the others in the Hank the Cowdog series, is hilarious. Hank believes that he is the head of security at a ranch. He misinterprets his surroundings into a delightful adventure full of humor, mystery, and fun. Of course the mystery is only for Hank since readers and listeners easily determine what is really going on. This is one of hte few series sucessfully read by the author of the book.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this and other Hank the cow dog books in grade school and I loved them. They definitely were part of the reason why I enjoyed reading so much then and now. I passed my books onto my 11 year old brother not long ago and he loves them too. I can't believe that there are so many of these books and that the last one was published so recently. Brings back memories! I hope they make these into movies for kids.

[Ripken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about the Halloween Ghost.

There were three things I liked in this book. I liked when Hank was so scared at the end he flew on Miss Viola's lap. Also Drover thought the kids were saying Tricker Trees when its Trick or Treat. And once Slim opened the door Drover and Hank dashed into the bedroom and went under the covers to go to sleep, well except Drover because he wanted to talk.

At the end Miss Viola, Drover, and Hank believed in the Ghost except Slim.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cat, in "Hank the Cowdog" has explained to Hank all about Halloween. Hank is annoyed by the thought of ghost and goblins. He freaks himself out trying to stop himself from believing in ghost and such(I can totally relate to that rascally dog). In the end we find out what the rukus was all about and Hank goes on to protect the ranch from the next security breech.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for elementary-aged kids. My 6 yr loved this, especially the book on CD. Kids will love hearing the story from the dog's perspective. One thing I didn't like is that Hank the Cowdog is kind of rude to his sidekick Drover and at one point even tells him to "shut up," which is a no-no in our house.

[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.