Status
Available
Local notes
PB Col
Collection
Series
Genres
Publication
Miramax (2005), 112 pages
Description
When their mother starts dropping them off at the library several afternoons a week, nine-year-old William and his brother dread boredom and the overbearing librarian, but they are surprised at how things turn out.
Awards
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2008)
Great Stone Face Book Award (Nominee — 2006)
Sasquatch Book Award (Nominee — 2008)
Buckaroo Book Award (Nominee — 2006)
Charlotte Award (Winner — 2006)
Flicker Tale Award (Nominee — 2006)
Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award (Honor Book — 2005)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Intermediate — 2005)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005-09-01
Physical description
112 p.; 5.19 inches
Media reviews
Ali Qutab
Ali Qutab
Summer Reading Book Review
Mr. Bronson
September 13th 2012
Eoin Colfer’s Adventures of: Spud Murphy
Young readers will hoot over Wills cynical narration. The legend of Spud Murphy is a great book to motivate kids to read and represents humor. No matter how old, this book is
Show More
perfect for someone looking for a light atonement and the story's comic moments, brevity and message are well targeted to reluctant readers. The legend of Spud Murphy is not intimidating, but it tells a good story. The bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series introduces a brilliant new chapter book series, and acclaimed cartoonist McCoy lends his wickedly funny illustrations to take readers on an unforgettable trip through the world of a "kindly" librarian with a secret. According to me, all these characteristic of this book are exactly why I chose and loved reading it.
“Suddenly a shadow fell across my brother…….. It was Spud. She had appeared without a sound, like a ninja librarian.”
Spud Murphy is a story of a story of a young boy who meets many obstacles along the path of his life. Will (the main character) is one of five brothers, which would be a nightmare for any mother. Especially HP, the smartest of them all. However, the brother who uses being gleeful as a trump card deliberately. The problem is, Will is too young to be in charge but too young to escape blame through strategic use of cuteness. In this particular book by Eoin Colfer, Will meets the “most terrifying librarian ever”, who is his old nemesis as well, Spud Murphy. They call her the only librarian to have ever had a “Spud” gun. Will, along with Marty (the oldest brother) were abased to here that they would have to spend two hours every week at the library (day dreaming).
Surprisingly, after weeks of day dreaming, Marty finally found a book. Seeing this, Will went looking for a book of his satisfaction. So, they kept reading and reading books, the two brothers. Oh, they were enraptured by the books. From reading Horror to reading comedy, Will and Marty read them all. They had read each book a multiple amount of times However, one day; the two brothers were all out of books to read!
Therefore, one day, Will went to divulge his adrenaline by going to the restricted section for a new book. Will didn’t even think twice, not even once, but a hundred times. All Will wanted was to get a new book and get his action figure back (which Marty had taken). It would be like killing two birds with one stone. The results were perceptible yet execrable. But no, this incident had led to the end of disparity between Mrs. Murphy and Will. I would give this book five stars.
“Colfer aims at a younger audience and hilariously hits the mark.”
- Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will laugh out loud at this clever book….. A good choice for fans of Dav Pilkey, Jon Sciezka, and Ian Whybrow.”
-School Library Journal Show Less
Gr 2-4-This hilarious offering is the first in a new chapter-book series. When their parents become fed up with their boisterous behavior during summer vacation, Will and Marty Woodman are forced to do something educational: "Reading. It's perfect. How can you get into trouble reading a book?" The
Show More
brothers will spend time at the library, despite their worries about the librarian, Mrs. "Spud" Murphy, who is feared by all children. According to the rumors, she uses a gas-powered gun to shoot potatoes at kids who make too much noise. When Mom drops them off later that afternoon, Mrs. Murphy leads them to the children's section and warns them that they are not to venture off of the carpet. Readers will immediately pick up that Marty has a problem following the rules and trouble ensues when he steps off the rug to cause some mischief. However, he has met his match in Spud, who silently appears on the scene like a "ninja librarian." The cartoon illustrations enhance the funny mood of the story. Youngsters, especially reluctant readers, will laugh out loud at this clever book, which can also be read aloud. A good choice for fans of Dav Pilkey, Jon Scieszka, and Ian Whybrow.-Christine McGinty, Albany Public Library, NY Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member soliloquies
Great, fun story for children about two brothers and one librarian. I love Colfer's writing style and this is a perfect quick read.
LibraryThing member emhromp2
An amusing story for children. The author obviously has Roald Dahl as his example. The story is about children who have to go to the library. They are very afraid of the librarian.
LibraryThing member bibliophile26
Funny tale about two brothers' encounter with a nazi librarian.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This is a fun and amusing read. Two older children are banished to the library during the summer holidays as they're being disruptive. The Librarian (Spud Murphy) has an evil reputation in the village for being intolerant of children. It's fun and amusing and there were times I really did
Show More
understand the librarian's motives! Show Less
LibraryThing member laf
Misunderstood librarian and two boys who got into a lot of trouble in the library.
LibraryThing member stoog
spud guns in libraries, now this is going to get ugly
LibraryThing member macfly_17
I loved this book. It was so funny and entertaining that my nephew and I took turns reading it. We loved all of the trouble that Will and Marty got into while they were stuck at the library. We could not stop laughing.
LibraryThing member divaqueen456
In the beginning, I thought they were going to get spuded, but at the end Mrs.Murphy was actually nice to Will(not Marty):).
LibraryThing member vickyf
Fantastic book. Being a librarian, I wish I was Spud Murphy. My street cred soared when the kids in the library reading group read it!
LibraryThing member mrmcfluff
This book was short, odd, and bad!
LibraryThing member Marylee1973
Great read..kids can relate, has a lot of funny scenarios so you can get a good laugh, as well as read. This one was one I could even get my non reading son to finish. Has a lot of pictures, kids don't get too overwhelmed with it.
LibraryThing member ycinto1
Summary:
This book is about two brothers, Will and Marty, Their parents decide they should do something better with their time than destroy the house during the summer. So their mom drops them off at the library 3 times a week so they can spend sometime reading.
The boys are terrified of the
Review:
I think this is really fun book that will encourage reluctant readers to read. The book itself tells a story about a blossoming love for reading . The book is easy to read. The characters are relatable. The two little boys are mischievous and want exactly what every other little book wants, to have fun. They think reading is boring but soon discover that they love it. It is a lesson learned within the context of fun jokes and the stories concocted by the wild imagination.
The illustrations also part of what makes this book so inviting. There are many of them and they are all funny and depict many of the boys wild imaginings.
The book is a great transition book from picture books to chapter books.
This book is about two brothers, Will and Marty, Their parents decide they should do something better with their time than destroy the house during the summer. So their mom drops them off at the library 3 times a week so they can spend sometime reading.
The boys are terrified of the
Show More
library because they think it is boring and also because they believe a rumor that says the librarian will shoot them with potato guns if the they misbehave. They do misbehave at first, not staying at their designated section, specially Will's older brother Marty. They go to the library for weeks and pretend to read until on day they start reading for real. They eventually read all the books in the children's section. Will then risks being shoot at with a potato for leaving his designated area, but when he explains to the librarian that all he wanted was more books to read. The librarian then rewards him with a library card for adults and becomes his friend.Review:
I think this is really fun book that will encourage reluctant readers to read. The book itself tells a story about a blossoming love for reading . The book is easy to read. The characters are relatable. The two little boys are mischievous and want exactly what every other little book wants, to have fun. They think reading is boring but soon discover that they love it. It is a lesson learned within the context of fun jokes and the stories concocted by the wild imagination.
The illustrations also part of what makes this book so inviting. There are many of them and they are all funny and depict many of the boys wild imaginings.
The book is a great transition book from picture books to chapter books.
Show Less
Similar in this library
Pages
112