Day 9: Horton Halfpott or The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of M’Lady Luggertuck’s Corset by Tom Angleberger

I was excited to read this book. The author wrote The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, a hilarious story. Horton is a funny story but it takes a bit longer to get into. Horton is the pot scrubber in the worst manor in the land. The noblemen who live there are awful people. Horton is resigned to his awful life because it is the only job he can find and he supports his parents and siblings. Things start to change at Smugwick Manor when M’Lady does not want her corset strings tied so tight. This sets off a chain of events that no one expected. All of sudden everyone in the manor is in a better mood, the cook doesn’t hit as hard with the wooden spoon, everyone gets to eat cake, and the Lady of the house agrees to host a ball. But a horrible thing happens, the Luggertuck Lump, the most valuable possession of the manor, has been stolen. Could Horton be responsible? Horton sets out to prove that he is innocent and it is a very funny trip. The story is unique tale. It will not be one that students pick off the shelves on their own. This would be a good story to read a chapter from the book to highlight the hilarious story. Then I think you will have a lot of interest in this book. I would recommend this for third and fourth graders.