The Legend of Spud Murphy

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Overview

Best-selling author Eoin Colfer brings us this brilliant new series for younger children, age 7 and up. Acclaimed cartoonist Glenn McCoy lends his wickedly funny illustrations and takes us on an unforgettable trip through the world of Spud Murphy.

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.

... See more details below

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Overview

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer switches gears from his usual fantasty fare, delivering a hilarious chapter book about two boys and their run-in with a legendary librarian. The first in a series about the Woodman brothers, Colfer's book follows William and Marty's antics at their local library, where the two are sent to keep them occupied during the summer. Spending time at the library might not be so bad, but rumors abound that librarian Angela Murphy -- dubbed "Spud" for the potato-shooting gun she allegedly keeps under her desk -- isn't exactly a kid's best friend, so it's up to Marty and William to test her limits. Whether it's someone stepping out of the children's section or talking too loudly, Spud Murphy always knows when shenanigans are afoot, but when one of the boys makes an honest effort to expand his book knowledge, the librarian decides to change her tune. A lightly suspenseful, knee-slapping read that will keep kids glued until the end, this also conveys a great message about library-going and reading that won't hit audiences over the head. If you like Captain Underpants and other series that hit the mark for middle-grade-schoolers, you'll surely want to pick up Colfer's series. Matt Warner

Publishers Weekly

The titular librarian grumbles when two brothers arrive, but softens when she finds them hooked on books. "The story's comic moments, brevity and message are well targeted to reluctant readers," according to PW. Ages 7-11. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

More Reviews (3) Fewer Reviews

Children's Literature

Overwhelmed by the prospect of summer vacation with their five boys ages ten and under, Will and Marty's parents decide the older two will spend several afternoons a week reading at the library. The boys think this is a punishment worse than death, for every kid in town knows that the "lovely old" librarian uses a gas-powered spud gun that can fire a potato half-way across the library to make kids behave, keeping them on the small carpet in the children's area, and limiting them to reading the four shelves of books there. After several boring afternoons of sitting on the carpet, pretending to read, and a couple of run-ins with Spud (although none with her infamous gun), they start actually reading the words in the books. Sucked in by the magic and adventure, the boys become converts to reading and libraries. Narrated by young Will, Colfer's latest is an easy read, with several amusing moments. His skill as a storyteller holds up a rather weak plot. The adroit writing allows young readers to "see" Mrs. Murphy and travel with both Will and Marty as each eventually travels beyond the patterned carpet, although not necessarily for the right reasons. Certainly not a conventional librarian (at least I hope not!), Mrs. Murphy has a rational for her behavior and a sense of humor to boot. Put this in the hands of a young reluctant reader, and he or she may well be a convert too. 2004, Hyperion Books for Children, Ages 7 to 10.
—Peg Glisson

School Library Journal

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 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 Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Being one of five brothers isn't easy on Will Woodman. He's in the upper middle, so he's too young to be in charge and too old to escape blame through strategic use of cuteness. He and his elder brother Marty are mortified when their parents decide to drop them off at the library a few times a week. They're mortified because Spud Murphy is their town librarian, and she hates children. She makes youngsters stay in the children's area, which is in front of a single shelf of kids' books on a small square of carpet. Marty tests Spud and ends up with a very embarrassing stamp in permanent ink on his arm. The boys accidentally discover that reading is fun and quickly exhaust the children's books. When shy Will breaks library rules in search of a new book, Spud's reaction and Will's punishment are nothing like he expected. Colfer aims at a younger audience and hilariously hits the mark. Spud-er, Angela-Murphy is not a stereotypical librarian by any stretch, and young readers will hoot over Will's wry narration. (Fiction. 7-12)

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786855049
Publisher: Hyperion/Miramax Kid
Publication date: 9/1/2005
Edition description: 1 AMER ED
Pages: 112
Sales rank: 119,558
Age range: 7 - 11 Years
Lexile: 0580L (what's this?)
Series: Will and Marty Series

Meet the Author

Eoin Colfer

In the summer of 2001, Eoin Colfer was a teacher in Ireland who had just finished up a book called Artemis Fowl -- about a boy in search of fairy gold. Colfer struck gold himself when his high-tech fairy tale starring the intrepid 12-year old "criminal mastermind" became a blockbuster bestseller that many considered to be the heir apparent to Harry Potter.

Biography

Eoin Colfer is a former elementary school teacher whose Artemis Fowl series has become an international bestseller. He is also the author of The Legend of Spud Murphy, The Wish List, and the New York Times bestseller The Supernaturalist.He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.

Author biography courtesy of Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children.

Good To Know

Some fun and fascinating outtakes from our interview with Colfer:

"My original ambition was to be a comic book artist. I would still love to write a comic one day."

"I have a real hatred of queues. If I see a queue of more than four people, I will leave the building and come back another day."

"I have four brothers and they are the inspiration for several of the sprites and gremlins in my books."

"I did a parachute jump recently and loved it. I would definitely take it up as a hobby if we had more clear sky over here in Ireland."

"I am a big theatre fan, and I go as often as possible with my wife. I actually started out in the theatre, writing plays for my actor friends."

1. Also Known As:
  
  William Eoin Colfer (full name)
2. Hometown:
  
  Wexford Town, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland
1. Date of Birth:
  
  May 14, 1965
2. Place of Birth:
  
  Waterford City, County Waterford, Republic of Ireland
1. Education:
  
  Bachelor of Education, 1986; Education Diploma, 1987
2. Website:
  
  http://www.eoincolfer.com

Read an Excerpt

The Legend of SPUD MURPHY

By Eoin Colfer

Hyperion Books for Children

Copyright © 2004 Eoin Colfer
All right reserved.
ISBN: 0-7868-5501-0

Chapter One

UGLY FRANK

I've got four brothers. Imagine that. Five boys under eleven all living in the same house.

On wet summer days, our house gets very crowded. If we each bring two friends home, then there could be fifteen of us crammed into the house. At least eight will be roaring like lunatics, and the rest will be dying to go to the toilet. The flusher on our toilet snaps off about once every three months.

When my dad came home one day and found three sons and four strangers covered with war paint, swinging on the bedroom curtains, he decided that something had to be done. It didn't help that the war paint was stolen from Mom's makeup box.

"No more bringing friends home!" Dad declared after the warriors' parents had collected them.

"That's not fair," said Marty, the biggest brother, mascara streaking his cheeks. "That punishment really affects me because I'm popular, but Will's best friend is his Action Man."

Will. That's me. I love that Action Man.

Donnie, Bert, and HP started complaining, too. But only because they're little brothers, and that's what little brothers do for a living. I know that technically I'm a little brother, too, but I'm in the big-brother half of the family.

Having one little brother is bad enough, but havingthree is too much punishment for one person. That's enough punishment for an entire housing development. The trouble with little brothers is that they are never blamed for anything. All Donnie, Bert, and HP have to do is bat their blue eyes and let their bottom lips wobble a bit, and they are forgiven for everything. Donnie, Bert, and HP could stick an ax in my head and they'd still get off with ten minutes' no TV and a stern look. The only things that Marty and I ever agree on is that our three younger brothers are spoiled rotten.

"This house is a madhouse," said Dad.

"And he's the chief lunatic," I said, pointing to Marty.

"I'm not the one talking to dolls," retorted Marty.

That hurt. "Action Man is not a doll."

"Quiet!" said Dad through gritted teeth. "There must be something we can find for you to do during the summer. Something to get you out of the house."

"Not my babies," said Mom, hugging the younger-brother squad tightly. They gave her the full baby treatment-big baby eyes, gap-tooth smiles-and HP even sucked his thumb. That kid has no shame.

"Maybe not those three. But Will and Marty are nine and ten now. We can find something for them. Something educational."

Marty and I groaned. Educational hobbies are the worst kind. They're like school during the summer.

Marty tried to save us. "Remember the last educational hobby? The art classes. I was sick for days."

"That was your own fault," said Mom.

"I only had a drink of water."

"You are not supposed to drink the water that people use to wash their brushes."

Dad was thinking. "What about the library?" he said, finally.

"What about it?" I said, trying to sound casual, but my stomach was churning.

"You both could join. Reading. It's perfect. How can you cause trouble reading a book?"

"Yes, of course, it's educational too," Mom agreed.

"How is it educational?" I asked, terrified by the idea. "I'd much rather be outside riding a horse than inside reading about one."

My mother tousled my hair. "Because, Will, sometimes the only horse you can ride is the one in your head."

I had no idea what that meant.

"Don't make us join the library," Marty begged. "It's too dangerous."

"Dangerous? How could a library be dangerous?" Dad asked.

"It's not the library," Marty whispered. "It's the librarian."

"Mrs. Murphy?" said Mom. "She's a lovely old lady."

The problem with grown-ups is that they only see what's on the outside. But kids know the real truth. People forget to be on their best behavior around kids, because nobody believes a word we say. Every kid in our town knew about Mrs. Murphy. She was one of those people that kids steer clear of. Like Miss White, the teacher with the evil eye, or old Ned Sawyer, the tramp with the drooling dog.

"She's not a lovely old lady," I said. "She's a total nut."

"Will! That's a terrible thing to say."

"But she is, Mom. She hates kids and she used to be a spy in the army. Tracking kids from enemy countries."

"Now you're being ridiculous."

"She has a spud gun under her desk," added Marty. "A gas-powered one that takes an entire potato in the barrel. She shoots kids with it if they make a noise in the library. That's why we call her Spud Murphy."

My mother thought this was all very funny. "A spud gun! You'll say anything to avoid reading a book."

"It's true!" Marty shouted. "Do you know Ugly Frank, from number forty-seven?"

My mother tried to look stern. "You shouldn't call poor Frank ugly."

"Well, how do you think he got that way? Spud Murphy spudded him."

Mom waved her hands as if two annoying birds were flapping around her ears.

"I've heard enough. You two are going to the library for the afternoon and that's it. We'll make some sandwiches."

We stood in the kitchen glumly. Sandwiches wouldn't be much use against Spud Murphy and her gas-powered spud gun.

Chapter Two

STAY ON THE CARPET

Of course, the little brothers thought this was hilarious.

"Nice knowing you," said Donnie, shaking my hand.

"Yeth," said HP, the word whistling through the gap where his front teeth used to be. "Nithe knowing you."

Five years old and already a smart aleck.

"Can I have your Walkman?" asked Bert, who was already wearing it.

I swatted them with my Action Man. "Do you hear them, Mom? They're teasing us already."

"Oh, they don't mean it," said Mom. "Do you, my little men?"

"No, Mommy."

Mom gave them a gummi bear each. I thought my head would pop with the unfairness of it all.

"Now, Marty and Will, go upstairs and wash off the rest of my lipstick. We leave in ten minutes."

There was no escape. We pleaded and whined for ten minutes solid, but Mom was not giving an inch.

"The library will be good for you," she said, belting us tightly into the backseat of the car. "You might even learn something."

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Legend of SPUD MURPHY by Eoin Colfer Copyright © 2004 by Eoin Colfer. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Chapter 1	Ugly Frank	1
Chapter 2	Stay on the Carpet	15
Chapter 3	The Test	33
Chapter 4	A Good Book	51
Chapter 5	Off the Carpet	61

Customer Reviews

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Anonymous

Posted January 8, 2007

LAUGH OUT LOUD

This is a funny book. You will laugh out loud. It is similar to the Black Lagoon series because the boys here rumors of the 'spud librarian' and the adventure is hysterical. It's a quick read so treat yourself - all ages!!
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Anonymous

Posted May 30, 2006

It's an outstanding book

How would you feel if you were stuck in the library on a summer day while your little brothers were destroying your favorite action figure? That¿s the Least of Will and Marty¿s troubles. Not only are they stuck in the library but they have to deal with Spud the librarian. This book is very funny! My favorite part was when Spud tricked Marty into putting a Barbie sticker on his forehead. I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading funny and silly books.
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Anonymous

Posted January 26, 2005

Fun book for boy readers

My second grade son doesn't care to read and it is hard to find books that will interest him. He loved Legend of Spud Murphy. He laughed out loud and would reread parts he especially enjoyed. I hope that more stories like this will follow.
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Anonymous

Posted October 11, 2004

Great reading for children and adults!

My son and I have been reading the book every night and we are loving every minute of it. He can't wait for the next book to come out. My son hates reading and this is a book that has finally got his attention.
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Anonymous

Posted August 16, 2004

The Spud Section

This book is one of the funniest books written in a long time. Its for younger kids than Eion Colfer usally writes for, but its very funny and even if you think its babyish, just read it and let the Spud Library take you on a journey.
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The Legend of Spud Murphy

Pick Up in Store

Overview

All Available Formats + Editions

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

More About This Book

Overview

Related Subjects

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Publishers Weekly

Children's Literature

School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

Meet the Author

Eoin Colfer

Biography

Good To Know

Read an Excerpt

The Legend of SPUD MURPHY

Hyperion Books for Children

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

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LAUGH OUT LOUD

It's an outstanding book

Fun book for boy readers

Great reading for children and adults!

The Spud Section