Every Dog Has His Day

Hank the Cowdog #10

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

Hank is literally at the end of his rope in his tenth adventure. It’s roundup time at the ranch and Hank is left behind, tied to a post, while a high-bred border collie named Bennie takes Hank's place and runs the show. How can Hank restore himself as Head of Ranch Security and reclaim his fame and fortune? The School Library Journal calls Hank the Cowdog "Rip-roaring fun...[a] marvelous situation comedy."

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

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 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

[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.

[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.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite of all the ones we have read/listened too.

[Damen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty good. But if you don't read the first books before this one u will not understand anything at all. There are a few spots where I think the story could be better but keep it up!!

[Minnesota Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the Hank the Cowdog books were awesome when I was a kid, and I read quite a few of them, but I don't think my local library had this particular one. Yes, the story itself had lots of familiar aspects, including my favorite coyotes. But this particular story wasn't a combination that I remember from back then, so it was either not memorable enough to stick with me, or one I didn't read. It kind of fell short of my expectations based on my memories of the series (mostly from childhood, but I've also read or reread some of these books as an adult), and I feel like this may have been a weaker book in between two stronger ones, since I actually do remember the books that come immediately before and after it in the series.

[Elasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids and I started listening to these. They crack me up! My fourth-grade teacher used to read them to us, and in a Texas accent, no less. So fun, and definitely worth listening to -- the reader does an excellent job. In this one you also get bonus tracks: "Daddy packed his suitcase 'cause Momma's a mean old bag", "Saddle up overture in c-maybe", and Hank's own coyote lullaby. Awesome.

**Just learned that John Erickson himself is the reader for the audiobooks, and he was born and raised in the Texas Panhandle near the town I grew up in! No wonder my elementary school teachers were reading this to us -- I'm sure it was part of the core curriculum. :)

[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.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel so lucky! My kids still enjoy Hank the Cowdog! And being from Texas, I'm really good at Hank's voice.

[Cws]

JM4 Eri

[Vivien&LeoAugustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was funny. Hank was trying to better Benny, and bethe better cowdog. Hank was also trying to impress Ms. Scamper.

[Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benny is such a show off.

[Hillvan]

860L

[Gena Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are such fun stories told from Hank's perspective. He is a rootin', tootin' all Western Cowdog!
Great for 4th grade and older!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the HtCd books I like best.

[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot-although Miss Scamper-what a trouble maker! Also I'm so glad they didn't buy the other cowdog-what a nut! lol!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the part where Hank met girl dog that used to do the roundup.