Henry Reed, Inc.

I loved the Henry Reed books so much as a little girl that I couldn't resist reading Henry Reed, Inc. again before I gave it to my nine-year-old nephew for Christmas. What a pleasure to read it again! My nephew laughs out loud at Keith Robertson's deadpan descriptions of the innocent but intricate adventures that Henry Reed attracts like a magnet. Henry and his audacious friend Midge provide encouraging role models for children interested in science.

Although I am now 28 years old, I read and loved this series of books in 4th and 5th grade. I encourage parents of 9-10 yr olds who like funny, adventuresome (if maybe a little dated!) books a la Henry Huggins. I now have a 2 yr old and look forward to putting these in his collection!

It is really funny, especially when Jeediah escapes and when Agony gets stuck. Another funny part is when one of the garden club ladies falls in the pond. It is a great book for a fourth or fifth grader because it is a great reading level. Each day is exciting with adventure. It is a great deal! It's one of my favorite books!

Henry Reed, Inc. is the first part of a series of children's books that are sadly underrated and unknown. Henry and Midge are two main characters the reader can truly get to know and fall in love with. The mini-adventures they have in their little pocket of suburbia are just the right mix of realism and absurdity that is sure to delight. Henry and Midge are everyboy and everygirl: ordinary kids who somehow rise above the mundane into the ether of hilarity. Look out Ramona, look out Superfudge -- Henry and Midge are here!

Henry Reed, Inc. is the first book in a whole series, written by the American author Keith Robertson. The story begins when 14-year old Henry Reed,the son of an American diplomat stationed in Naples, Italy, arrives in New Jersey to visit his aunt and uncle. Henrys teacher has given him a summer project; to report on American "free enterprise". Henry combines his interest in biology with business, and together with the 12-year old neighbor girl Midge sets up a business selling worms,turtles etc. During the summer Henry and Midge expand their business and are constantly in search of new products. Their business ventures include drilling for oil, hunting for truffles (an expensive mushroom) and developing a weatherbaloon that they plan to sell to the armed forces! Most of the people in the small town are very positive and cooperative about their business. They do, however, encounter some trouble with the quarrelsome Apples, who complain bitterly about Agony, Henry's dog, interloping on their property, and "Henry Reed, Inc". violating zoning laws. This leads to suspicion by Henry and Midge that the Apples are involved in deep criminal activity, but in the end it turns out that the Apples are only interested in safeguarding their own business interests. Although Henry Reed, Inc.is written in diary form it's not introspective. In each chapter Henry relates the days happenings. Te book takes place during about two months in Grovers Corner, New Jersey. The autor only briefly describes characters, landscape, and setting, but instead focuses on the hilarious stories. "Henry Reed, Inc." is an excellent sink-down-in-bed-and-relax book. The text is easy to understand and once you start the book it's not easy to put down. Please e-mail me with further questions and information about the other books in the series. (I haven't been able to get hold of them yet.