Hooey Higgins and the Shark - Tapa dura

Already an established series figure in Britain, Hooey appears here in his American debut, and readers who speed through this fast and funny read will hope that more installments quickly become available. Voake's text is both lively and wry and his characters are fresh and believable. Dodson's numerous monochromatic ink and gouache illustrations are equally original. Although this has broad appeal, it might be a particularly good choice for the boys goofing off in the back of the room.
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Mix in some underwear, a World War II sea mine and old guys wearing the Union Jack on their swim trunks, and you've got a romp that might just drag a few eyes away from the Wimpy Kid books. Fast-paced fun.
--Kirkus Reviews

Beginning chapter books typically contain familiar, comfortable situations and characters, so this screwball comedy is clearly charting new literary waters... [A] propulsive read.
--The Horn Book

This is a book that children will gravitate to and reluctant readers will embrace.
--Library Media Connection

Voake is a good storyteller, building plot steadily and toward a satisfying end.
--Booklist Online

The humorous illustrations complement the funny tone of the narrative. Hooey's entertaining antics explode in a rather delicious ending.
--School Library Journal

Meet Hooey Higgins — along with his oddball family and friends — in a laugh-out-loud madcap adventure loaded with boy appeal.

Hooey Higgins is desperately in love — with the humongous chocolate egg in Mr. Danson’s store window, that is. Too bad he and his best friend, Twig, have nowhere near enough money to buy it. But when a shark is spotted off the coast, Hooey and Twig dream up a plan: capture the shark and charge people to view it. Brilliant! With Hooey’s older brother masterminding the foolproof scheme, they set off with ketchup, a cricket bat, a floral quilt, and a rope in tow. What they find is so amazing it blows the shark plan out of the water! Aided by Emma Dodson’s comical illustrations, Steve Voake introduces a hilarious new character in a fast-paced story kids will sink their teeth into.