Meet New Books
Book Cover

Ribsy

Book 6 in the series:Henry

Save:
Find on Amazon

Who Would Like This Book:

This heartwarming adventure from Beverly Cleary takes readers on a journey through a dog's eyes - literally! Ribsy's misadventures are packed with humor, excitement, and touching moments that are perfect for animal lovers, young readers age 7-11, or anyone who enjoys classic, family-friendly stories. The dog's-eye-point-of-view gives the story a fresh twist, making it appealing for both children and nostalgic parents alike. Cleary's storytelling sparkles with empathy, ensuring readers cheer for Ribsy with every twist and turn.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If stories about lost pets make you anxious or frustrated - or if you just want the boy-and-his-dog to be together already - this book might not be your cup of tea! Some found the repetitive cycle of Ribsy getting lost and found a bit tedious, and kids who are sensitive about animals being lost or separated from their owners might find parts of the story a little too stressful. Also, readers expecting nonstop laughs may notice this entry is more heartfelt than hilarious compared to other Henry Huggins books.

A lovable adventure told from a dog's perspective, Ribsy is a timeless, gentle read that delivers both fun and feels - perfect for young readers and fans of Beverly Cleary's charming stories.

About:

Ribsy, Henry Huggins' dog, embarks on a journey filled with misadventures after getting lost in a shopping center parking lot and ending up with the wrong family. Throughout the book, Ribsy navigates various challenges and encounters, all while trying to find his way back home to his beloved boy, Henry. The narrative is told from Ribsy's point of view, offering a unique perspective on the events that unfold, showcasing his loyalty, determination, and charm.

Readers are taken on a heartwarming and humorous journey as Ribsy faces obstacles like getting a bubble bath, attending unexpected events, and navigating through different households in his quest to reunite with Henry. The story captures the essence of friendship between a boy and his dog, while also providing insights into the lives of the diverse characters Ribsy encounters along the way, making for an engaging and enjoyable read for both children and adults.

Characters:

The characters include Ribsy, an adventurous and loyal dog, and Henry, his caring owner, along with a series of quirky families that Ribsy interacts with.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style presents the narrative from Ribsy's perspective, combining humor and emotion to engage young readers and offer a heartfelt experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Ribsy, who accidentally gets into the wrong car and finds himself on a journey to reunite with his owner, Henry, facing different situations and families along the way.

Setting:

The setting takes place primarily in Portland, capturing various urban environments as Ribsy seeks to reunite with Henry.

Pacing:

The pacing includes engaging peaks of excitement and some repetitive elements, as the story alternates between Ribsy's adventures and searches.
“So long,” said Henry to Beezus, as his mother and father came out of the house and climbed into the front seat of the station wagon. Henry threw the ball down the street and started to climb in after...

Notes:

Ribsy is Henry Huggins' dog and a central character in Beverly Cleary's series.
The story is told mainly from Ribsy's perspective as he tries to find his way back to Henry.
Ribsy accidentally gets lost in a shopping center and enters the wrong car.
Throughout the book, Ribsy experiences various adventures while searching for Henry.
In one part, Ribsy ends up attending a high school football game, adding excitement to the story.
The book also gives insights into the lives of different families Ribsy meets along the way.
One reader found the story to be emotional and heartwarming, even more enjoyable as an adult.
Beverly Cleary aimed to create a story where the dog does not die, differing from other well-known dog stories.
Ribsy's character is described as friendly and enthusiastic, despite being portrayed as middle-aged.
Some readers noted that they found their children losing interest in Ribsy compared to other characters like Ramona.

From The Publisher:

Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary gives Henry's dog, Ribsy, center stage in this dog's eye view of the adventure of a lifetime. This classic story about a dog and his boy is as fresh and funny as ever!

Good ol' Ribsy's ever-curious mind has always gotten him into trouble, but this time he may have gone too far. After a comical turn of events, Ribsy finds himself in the wrong station wagon with the wrong children.

Ribsy will do anything to find Henry, but there's plenty of excitement to be had along the way—and scoring a touchdown for a local high school team is only part of the fun! For kids looking for a fast, funny dog story, Ribsy is a winner.

This timeless favorite works well for independent reading.

1964
231 pages

Ratings (4)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (10):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (1)
Not Interested (4)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
9 months

“Ribsy” is a quick read that presents the story of Henry Huggin’s dog Ribsy and his journey to be reunited with him owner after being lost for a month.

The novel is divided into seven chapters be begins with an introduction to Ribsy who is a good well adjusted dog who is liked by all. Although Ribsy is well liked and likes everyone, he is plagued by a flea that constantly attacks him in a hard to reach spot.

After receiving a ride to the mall in the Huggin’s new green station wagon, Ribsy is content to sit in the car and wait for his family to return. Although Ribsy enjoys bark at people passing by the car, after being yapped at by a small Pomeranian named Fluffy, Ribsy escapes from the car.

Ribsy runs through the mall parking lot in an effort to find the Huggins can but due to rainy weather and colorblindness, he gets disoriented and is unable to find his family.

In the second chapter, Ribsy is taken in by the Dingly family and Ribsy gets an unexpected bath. After chaos occurs during the bath, Ribsy runs away. During this time, Henry is sick with worry over Ribsy being missing. Henry’s father tries to get Henry’s mind off of Ribsy being missing by getting another dog but Henry refuses to give up on Ribsy returning home.

In chapter three, Ribsy meets Mrs. Fawley. Although Mrs. Fawley treats Ribsy well, he soon misses life with Henry and he eventually run away.

In the fourth chapter, Ribsy follows a group of children and ends up becoming the a mascot for a second grade class. After a raucous encounter with a squirrel during a show and tell, he is removed from the school.

In chapter fifth and sixth chapters, Ribsy goes to a football games and in the process, he becomes famous. During this time, Ribsy stays with a boy named Joe Saylor and at this time, Henry has regained hope of finding Ribsy.

The seventh and final chapter has Ribsy taking his first elevator ride as well as his first encounter on a fire escape. By the end of the novel, Ribsy and the Huggin’s family have a deeper appreciation for each other.

This was a entertaining book and a very quick read. The storyline is easy to follow and has colorful characters.

 
 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.