The Humanthropist

by Matthew Bishop

Toby Ramm is the nation’s most highly-touted quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning, and he is beginning his freshman year away on a full-ride scholarship at a prestigious university. Turner Ramm, his high school sophomore younger brother, is given the assignment of chronicling his illustrious older sibling’s every move for the local newspaper, since the small hometown of Cola Lake, California from which they hail is football crazy. Realizing that perhaps he doesn’t always want to be in the shadow of his esteemed brother, Turner embarks down a rocky path of self-discovery, and through an unusual association with Cola Lake’s most enigmatic resident, he begins to learn what growing up really means.

284 pages, Paperback

Published December 10, 2016

About the author

MATTHEW BISHOP is an elementary school teacher and part-time novelist. His first work, "The Humanthropist," is a coming-of-age story about troubled teen, Turner Ramm, and the rocky path he follows as he learns what it means to grow up.

When he's not teaching or writing, Matthew can be found hanging out with his wife, two kids, and extended family, and his hobbies include reading, watching movies, and watching or playing sports near his home in Northern California.

Reviews

[Brady Sherrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello Mr. Bishop! If you are reading this, this is Brady and I had you as a teacher a few years ago. This book was a great book that I really enjoyed and I noticed some things in the story that totally reminded me of you Mr. B! Especially that Mount Shasta reference I spotted in there. At first when I started reading this book I was a little confused as to where the whole story was going but it all came together and it started making sense to me more. I really was confused when you introduced Hoshiro Watanabe, but it started making more and more sense as the story went along. Overall this was probably the best book I have ever read and I normally do not like reading, but this is the first book I have ever read that actually made me want to go back and read more to see what would happen next. I am really excited to see what book you write next and I will definitely be your biggest fan on whatever book you make next! I really hope you make a sequel to this book because dang was it good!

[Matt Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Matthew Bishop's book, The Humanthropist. It's an easy, enjoyable read with themes about youth, knowledge and experience and human nature. The pacing is quick and descriptive where it needs to be and the story unravels at the right times. This is a nice first effort from a young author and I'm looking forward to reading his next book!

[Sally Westfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for upper middle school through adult readers. Matt does a great job delivering an accurate depiction of a teenage boy and his emotional growth throughout high school. I laughed and cried while reading this book, and can't wait to pass it on to others.

[Krissie Wilk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age story which was filled with universal life lessons. There's conflict, love, struggle and inspiration. Here are a few lessons this book reminded me of: (1) Everyone makes mistakes. It's not the misstep you take that defines; it's how you respond that's most important. (2) Remember not to judge a book by it's cover, especially when it comes to people, and finally (3) inspiration can come in unlikely places if you're open to it. Read it. Enjoy it. Learn from it.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Small spoilers***
Turner is in high school in a small town where his brother was the town's football star who has since graduated and gone off to college. As a journalism student, Turner is charged with writing a blog about his famous older brother. When he tries writing a little bit about himself, he is quickly rebuffed by his anonymous readers. Through Turner's interactions with his parents, his friends, teammates and coach, and even a man he delivers pizza to, known affectionately as the Hun, he learns a great deal about himself and the kind of person he wants to be.

I really enjoyed this book. This book is funny and light and yet thought provoking. I wasn't sure what I expected when I started reading it, but must admit that I found my own perspective changing a little bit with each day that I read it. I highly recommend this book for adults, young and old, especially those not quite living up to their full potential.