Hobbadehoy Rising

by Max Willi Fischer

In 1854, orphaned, seventeen-year-old Pencil mastered survival in the Five Points of Lower Manhattan. As a lieutenant of a pack of “street rats”, he chafes under the control of adult scoundrels, who call him a “hobbadehoy”—someone no longer a boy, yet not a man. Trust is a luxury he doesn’t possess. Through a treacherous turn of events, he’s shipped off to Ohio where he must adjust while relying on his street smarts to overcome bias and a domineering guardian. Living in a divided society, he grapples with the right and wrong of issues far removed from his pickpocket touches back in New York City. He learns that trust is an invisible track on which he has to discern where the good or bad lies within each person he meets.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2023

About the author

After four decades in teaching and having authored a dozen teacher resource books, Max Willi Fischer set out to enrich young people's understanding of history via a new career in writing. He believes that historical fiction can better bring to life the people and events of an era as opposed to the dry pages of textbooks. A cornerstone in his writing is that human nature is the common link that binds modern society to the peoples of the past.

Reviews

[Lubov Leonova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great historical novel

This novel portrays a cruel world of America of the early 19-th century. The boy with a funny nickname Pencil gets in the middle of the conflict between the North and the South.

Through the eyes of Pencil, the writer shows the horrors of slavery. His path is thorny but it helps understand such values as human rights and equality.

Even though the subject is uneasy, the writer managed to make this story engaging and easy to grasp. The plot takes place in the past, and I noticed there was a good job on research.

I recommend this book to everyone who loves learning history from fictional books!

[Osvaldo Amador · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weekend read

I couldn’t put it down the whole weekend ! Great writing , great story ! The characters come to live , it reminded me of Mark Twains Huck and Fin . Totally different , yet not . I was engrossed by its story line at every turn of the page . Highly recommend.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]


Holy smokes what a ride!

"Hobbadehoy" takes you on a thrilling journey through the gritty streets of 1854 Five Points (New Your City), and let me tell you, it's a ride you won't want to miss! Pencil, our street-smart protagonist, is a character you'll root for from the very beginning. Orphaned and struggling to survive, he clings to his empathy and budding sense of justice, even as the nation is torn apart by slavery.



When Pencil's luck takes a nosedive, he's shipped off to Ohio on one of those infamous "orphan trains." From there, it's a rollercoaster of challenges as he tries to find his place on a farm and later in Cleveland, where a daguerreotypist becomes his guiding light in the world of glass and copper images.



But hold onto your hats because this novel is not all about photography; it's a tale of survival in a world filled with corpses, kidnappers, and grave robbers. Pencil's sense of justice is put to the test time and time again, making you wonder if he'll ever emerge from the unforgiving streets as the man he's meant to be.



"Hobbadehoy" is a gripping historical fiction gem that will keep you turning pages late into the night. With vivid storytelling and a captivating protagonist, it's a must-read for anyone seeking an adventure through the heart of 1850s New York City and Cleveland. Don't miss out on this historical thrill ride!



Watch out Oliver twist and Huckleberry Finn, you're about to get run off the road with Max Willi Fischer's Hobbadehoy Rising. Well done!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several stories written by this author, and this is my favorite book.

The author’s skillful writing made Hobbadehoy Rising an exciting and unpredictable read. And that’s my main goal as a reader: I want a story that is engaging and will surprise me. Orphaned Pencil is a ‘street rat,’ but a smart one—especially for finding trouble. The stakes and risks the main character goes through to survive keep the reader guessing Pencil’s next move. Initially, I thought, “How much trouble could a kid get into?” then I read more and found Pencil runs into slave traders, kidnappers, and graverobbers. Hobbadehoy Rising is a fast-paced read with intrigue laced throughout the storyline. Ultimately, for me, it was the surprise of how Pencil got out of trouble that added so much relief … that is, until he found it again. Great story ending, too.

I have read several of this author’s stories, and each stand-alone is great in its own way, but Hobbadehoy Rising is my favorite read.

 

[Bill Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for something different, so I downloaded Hobbadehoy Rising by Max Willi Fischer. The book is a compelling coming-of-age novel set in 1850s America. The book vividly portrays the life of 17-year-old orphan Peter Wagner, nicknamed “Pencil” for his math skills, as he navigates the harsh realities of New York’s Five Points district. The story integrates historical fiction with magical realism, bringing depth to the narrative. Fischer’s attention to detail and dynamic writing style immerse the reader in the antebellum period, highlighting societal conflicts, photography’s emergence, and runaway experiences. The novel’s authentic character development and unpredictable plot make it a memorable and engaging read, offering historical insight and emotional resonance.

[Thomas Condon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and interesting read

I enjoyed the way “Hobbadehoy Rising” mixed fiction with a historical background. You feel like you are learning something about that period as you read the story. This authors descriptive narration of events brought you closer to understanding the characters actions, struggles, and emotions which made it more enjoyable to read.