Hamstersaurus Rex vs. Squirrel Kong

Hamstersaurus Rex #2

by Tom O'Donnell, Tim Miller (Illustrator)

SQUIRREL ATTACK! Sam Gibbs and his super-strong tiny buddy, Hamstersaurus Rex, are back in this hilarious classroom comedy, perfect for fans of Dog Man and Stick Dog—and for anybody who might be entertained by a mutant rodent showdown. Sam and Hammie Rex discover a terrifying giant squirrel hiding in the woods behind Horace Hotwater Middle School. But nobody else believes Squirrel Kong is real. Then Hammie Rex takes the blame for Squirrel Kong’s destructive rampages, and the principal threatens to send him away to home for dangerous, troubled small pets. To save his hamster friend, can Sam prove that Squirrel Kong is the true menace? Expect mysterious mutations, deliciously gross snack foods, and an epic battle with the world’s most fearsome squirrel in this outrageously funny second installment in the Hamstersaurus Rex series.

Genres: Juvenile

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 27, 2017

About the author

Tom O'Donnell has written for The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, and several TV shows. Tom lives with his wife and kids in Brooklyn, NY.

Reviews

[Veronika Pizano]

Ďalšia časť o zmutovanom škrečkovi s celkom dobrými zvratmi deja. Oproti jednotke sa aj niektoré nesympatické postavy stávajú lepšími, na scéne sú noví nepriatelia a pôvodné priateľstvá sa utužujú.

[Mehsi]

Een nieuwe Hamstersaurus Rex en ik was echt superblij dat er meer delen uitkwamen in het Nederlands. Het was weer heerlijk om te lezen, om onze Hamstersaurus Rex te zien en zijn obsessie voor lekkers. Dan is er ook nog een grote eekhoorn die losloopt, mysterieuze gebeurtenissen bij Glimlach BV., onze schattige hamster wordt gezien als crimineel, en dan is er nog iets wat ik enerzijds best leuk vond, dat de pestkop een doel had en toch niet zo slecht was. En er is nog meer en lag dus weer heerlijk dubbel en genoot enorm van dit boek. Natuurlijk was het af en toe een beetje eh, vooral hoe dom mensen zijn (hey, er zit een 4 meter groot gat in de muur, maar het moet wel door de hamster gedaan zijn *proest*).
Ik vind het nog steeds hilarisch dat de kleuren van de covers in het Nederlands voor deel 1 en 2 zijn omgedraaid. Weet je hoe verwarrend dat is?
Ik kan niet wachten op het volgende boek!

[Tyler]

HAMSTERSAURUS REX ROCKS! Hamstersaurus Rex does not make it easy for Sam to keep him a secret at school. Hammie Rex was a normal hamster until he ate some mutated protein powder. Now he has super hamster strength and is always hungry. He will "rage" if he does not get fed which is getting himself and Sam into a lot of trouble at school like the time when Hammie Rex crushed a car.
Nobody believes that Hammie's enemy, Squirrel Kong, is real but Hammie gets his chance to save the day and prove he was not to blame for school damages when he battles Squirrel Kong in the woods behind the middle school.
Hamstersaurus Rex vs. Squirrel Kong is a great book for anyone who likes funny stories and roots for the underdog (or hamster).

[Carson]

I admit it: I was wrong.

A couple of weeks ago, I was dreading reading Hamstersaurus Rex vs. Squirrel Kong, the second in a series of four books about a mutant hamster.

I enjoyed this novel better, but much of that is due to a change in my perspective.

Sure, O’Donnell could have done more to complicate SmilesCorp—especially given than our protagonist’s mother works there. Yet O’Donnell does craft more character development in the second installment, and he encourages his readers to question authority when something feels “off.”

My son and I finished it in the middle of the night in the middle of an icy week that shut down our schools. He was still sick with a nasty GI bug that was sweeping through our house, and I felt exhausted but had yet to catch it.

When I look back at this strange winter, so full of disruptions—weather, utilities, illness, and school—the memory of his laugh that night acts as an anchor, stabilizing us amidst a tumultuous world.

Just like Sam, there’s so much that we can’t control, but as long as we can laugh, then we’ve got a fighting chance to reach better days.

[Teresa Reads]

Readers who like silly hamster stories might like this book. Sam and his super-pet Hamstersaurus find themselves on another adventure when a 12 foot squirrel wreaks havoc on their school. Hamstersaurus gets blamed for the destruction and is going to be sent away. Sam is determined to save his little friend. In the process, he makes a friend out of an enemy, almost loses a best friend, and solves the mystery of Squirrel Kong. There are a few funny parts, but mostly it is silly and formulaic. You do not have to read the other books in the series to follow this story.

[Margie]

This follow-on to Hamstersaurus Rex pits Hammie, as he's affectionately called by owner Sam Gibbs against a 12 foot tall squirrel at, in and near Horace Hotwater Middle School where Sam is in the 6th grade. Sam along with friends and some former enemies, combine brains, talents and resources to find a way to defeat the large, destructive creature. This book stands alone just fine. The humor is wild and crazy, the action non-stop. Readers in elementary grades 3-6 will thoroughly enjoy the riotous and hilarious goings-on, most of which make adults look quite dumb.

[Eric]

Another delightful installment (ok, the second one) in the Hamstersaurus Rex series. Looking forward to my son being old enough to read these. I teach elementary school and think these would be good for any young readers.
This one started a little slower than the first book, but it really ended well. I particularly liked that I didn't see it coming. None of my predictions about the end of the book came true, so kudos to the author for avoiding the formula and what not.

[Shelly]

This is a middle grade series directed towards boys. Very cute for girls too. I enjoyed this one more than the first and it does continue and make references to the first. Our villain in the first book actually helped out to catch a different villain in this one which was nice. Leaves you at a cliff hanger so definitely want to read the next one.

[Lauren]

Cool urban adventure for kids Y4 - 6. Second in series.

[Leah Gannon]

My boys (ages 7 & 8) absolutely loved this book. My oldest says it even funnier than the first Hammie Rext book. I enjoyed reading it with them. Great laugh out loud boy read!

[MagistraDuff]

Recommended for people who like funny books.

[Arash]

This book was very good it was similar to the prequel

[Gideon]

beefer's a good guy?

[Lies]

Heerlijke whodunit op kindermaat.

[Collin]

was very silly but funny

[Claire Spahr]

My 10 yo son loved it. We even got up early before school to finish the last 2 chapters together!

[Savannah]

3.5 stars

[Marie]

This is a fun follow on to book one, enjoyed by myself and the boys (8 and 11) as a family read aloud.

[Susan]

A giant squirrel? YES!!!!! There IS a giant squirrel, but nobody believes it, or Sam! Will Hammie save the day again?

Great book for mid readers, 8 to 12. I'm an adult, and I totally enjoyed it!

[Sara]

Super cute. I read this with my son. It might be a little old for a six year old because the chapters are long. But I thought it was paced fine. Good story and some funny bits.

[Yatin Alla]

j3jw3kj3

[Emilio]

Good series with some plot twists and funny parts. Have fun with the Boakeet!

[Lindsey]

My 5 year old and I read this together and we liked it even more than the first book. It was a little easier to get into and a bit easier for him to follow, I think. Cute series, I’m sure we’ll be getting started on the next book soon.