Henry Reed's Big Show

Henry Reed #4

by Keith Robertson

1 SOFTCOVER BOOK (pocket size)

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Juvenile, Middle Grade, Novels

Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Keith Robertson was born on May 9, 1914 in Dows, Iowa. He joined the Navy in 1931, and served as a radioman on a destroyer. Later, he attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating with a B.S. degree. He attributed his initial decision to study at the Academy to a "fanatical aversion to washing dishes." He said, "When I discovered that midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy did not wash dishes but were gentlemen by act of Congress, I promptly applied for entrance." Robertson served in World War II as captain of a destroyer. He was awarded five battle stars. He retired from the service as a captain in the United States Naval Reserve.

Robertson published his first book, Ticktock and Jim, in 1948. His writing career spanned 40 years. As a member of the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature, he was active in encouraging aspiring authors.

He was married to Elizabeth Woodburn Robertson, a rare-book dealer, and had four children. He died of cancer at his home in Hopewell, New Jersey on September 23, 1991, aged 77.

Reviews

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, I think I read this in my youth, maybe 40 years ago? The whole episode where Henry has an awkward moment horseback-riding that winds up mistaken for a murder scene, or Galileo the B&E horse? These scenes seem really familiar.
This is a fun romp for my generation of YA, or maybe 'juveniles', as Heinlein used to call them from that era. This is the summer journal of on Henry Reed, on his third summer vacation in the somewhat rural Grover's Corner, NJ, in the days before massive amounts of television, videogames and computer entertainment for young people. Henry's age is never quite specified, although he appears to be early high-school age. His family lives overseas (his father is in the diplomatic corps) but Henry is allowed to spend his summers with his aunt and uncle. This summer, lighthearted adventures follow Henry as he has decided to explore a career as a theatrical producer and he works to stage several summer productions.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Henry Reed series is my favorite childhood collection. I read these with my girls, only in summer, because reading them is like being on summer vacation. Keith Robertson created, in Henry and his friend Midge, two of the most likeable book characters I have ever found. Their stories, their antics, are entertaining to me now, perhaps even more than they were when I was 10. I love every one of these books, I only wish there were more.

[Kathryn]

Could not get into this one, despite the "Music Circus" at the beginning (summer theater in a big tent -- which I totally attended and loved as a kid!) but it seemed like the putting-on-a-show aspect was encumbered by other plot threads that didn't appeal to me as much. It was an ILL with a too-short return window so we left it unfinished. Big fan of the other books in the series, though.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kicks off with one of the funniest scenes!

Your horse lovers will enjoy this sequel as there’s a lot of summer activities having to do with a horse… and actually more about the horse than a big show.

Hence the three stars from me. I was more excited with where I thought the title would go then where it actually went. Less show and less entrepreneurship than other titles.

Ages: 12+

#Summer #Entrepreneurship

Cleanliness: Gosh, Gee, Golly and the like are used a few times. Mentions someone smoking a pipe. At different times, two individuals take their clothes off (wearing only their underclothes) to wash their clothes in the river - someone “in the nude” is referenced to this but that’s not really the case. The word “bl**dy” is used a number of times to describe lots of blood. A girl is annoyed that her cousin is coming to visit and complains about this and makes a comment about moms not understanding.

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[Drew Raley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and The Hippies, Or: small town living livens up with an injection of youth culture that will instantly date the story despite its subtext of Henry learning to get "with it." May cause paroxysms of either nostalgia or hippie-hate. You have been warned.

[Anne Francia Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Things Are Not Always What They Seem."

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will forever be the book I read to my kiddo in urgent care in the age of Covid (he's completely fine and healthy, everyone is fine, all tests negative.) A worthy end to a series that holds up remarkably well. We were both giggling like crazy at that last scene. I'm so grateful to revisit this series with him. We're going to go back and hit the ones we missed now.

[Leah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the others but still a great read

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all the Henry Reed books. They are so full of fun and adventure! I also love how Henry's father is a diplomat, which means he's lived in different countries his whole life, which makes him a third culture kid like ... me! These are definitely some of my favorite books!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the frank way Keith Robertson writes. This is a story of a precocious kid who keeps a diary every summer he spends at his aunt and uncle's in Grover's Corner, New Jersey. His best friend is a knobby-kneed girl named Midge, and in this book they get a funny looking horse named Galileo (he's great!). The Henry Reed stories are always loads of fun, and a good, quick read. The writing style is kind of dated, but in a way that's what makes the whole thing timeless. In one part of the book Henry and Midge wind up in a protest, and in this other part a band of long-haired hippie/punk kids drive through and give a concert in their pasture, and the way all that stuff is just woven in with the kids figuring out how to put on a 'show' you can kind of see how childhood remains unchanged even though the world is changing very quickly.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Reed's Big Show is probably the book of this series that I have re-read the least, as the enjoyable craziness of the situations feels a bit toned down here compared to the other books. But I still really enjoy this story. Henry and Midge are every bit as entertaining as I remember, and the eccentric horse Galileo is just as fun as any of the human characters.

Despite the references to Woodstock, tape recorders, and an aspiring hippie band, Henry Reed's Big Show has the same timelessness as the rest of the series. The fun characters and bizarre situations hold appeal for all ages, and never fail to brighten my day!

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this is the fourth and last one by Keith Robertson about the exploits of Henry Reed and Midge his best friend. When I want to time travel I read these books and I'm a child once again.

[Jeandana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, as I have come to expect for Keith Robertson, was awesome! I just love Henry and Midge-- I wish I could join them on their adventures! I love how ingenious their plans are... anyway, I really enjoyed this book :)

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy continuation of the original Henry Reed series of books. A delightful read. In the same vein as the Great Brain series and the Henry Huggins books, among others. Enjoyed this installment a lot.

[Cws]

JF-Rob

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE these books about the boy Henry Reed and his summers in rural New Jersey. Absolute favorites from my childhood and ones that I will make sure my girls read. : )

[Colleenish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

all of the Henry Reed books are good and deserve a 5 star rating but this one is probably my least favorite one. It was still very good though.