The Legend Of Spud Murphy (2004) - Plot & Excerpts
Original BookTube review HEREEoin Colfer is best known for his wonderful Artemis Fowl series, but here he deviates by writing a story without fairies or magic. Instead, we get a ninja librarian. I think that’s a fair trade-off. The one consistent thing about Colfer’s writing in any genre is his side-splitting humor. Even writing for a much younger intended audience, he still manages to retain his wit and finesse with wordplay.This is recommended for readers 7 and up, and is definitely one that boys will latch onto. But that’s not really the audience I think should be getting their hands on ‘The Legend of Spud Murphy’.This story is great for kids, but they’ve had it since 2004. I think it’s time to introduce this story to a new generation. The older one. This book’s prime audience, I believe, should be experienced booklovers, I don’t care if you’re 17 or 97.Why?Because this is not just a book about two young mischief makers, forced to spend their summer afternoons in a library, where they can’t possibly cause any trouble. This is not just the legend of a notorious librarian rumored to keep a loaded spud gun behind her desk in case of ill-behaved kidlings.This is about books, and that moment a child first realizes what wonderful and magical things they are.As you read, nostalgia strikes, and suddenly you’re the little kid who hates reading, but you’re parents force you to do it any way, and you remember that moment, that one book, when you realized that you just couldn’t stop. When you realized that reading was fun.While children can appreciate this as a fun little story, older readers like you and me will truly cherish it. Because we lived it.Without a doubt, this is the best of his ‘Legend of…’ series. Clever and hilarious, it is a gem among children’s literature, and should really be considered a cult classic among the bookworms of the world. If you love books, you need to read this, and then re-read at least once a year.‘The Legend of Spud Murphy’ by Eoin Colfer has won five stars, two thumbs up, and a special place in my heart for all eternity.
The Legend of Spud Murphy is about a young boy, Will, and his four brothers. Will and his brother Martin, being the elder brothers, are blamed for the mischief and noise within the house during a long boring summer holiday. Their parents think it best to get them out of the house and decide upon an educational based pursuit for the remainder of the holidays, deciding that they should attend the library each day. As with all young imaginations, the boys know that the library is inhabited by the terrifying and legendary ‘Spud Murphy’ the elderly librarian whose favourite hobby is to shoot noisy and naughty children with her hidden spud gun, so are initially apprehensive about their sentence. The story develops very quickly and is full of humour, both physical and verbal (with some great banter between the brothers). Although based in a library, there is an element of adventure for the young members, and we see their desire to cause mischief change into a desire for reading. There is an underlying message that books and libraries offer escape into the imagination, and that judging people from rumour and hearsay usually results in false perception, as Spud Murphy turns out to be a caring a friendly women. At around 90 pages long, the book has great illustrations to break up the text, but will be quite demanding for very young readers who may have shorter attention spans. Overall I found the book an excellent, fun read and would definitely recommend for children over the age of 8-9.
What do You think about The Legend Of Spud Murphy (2004)?
Will and Marty are boisterous kids. And their parents have had it. So they decide they're going to spend the summer going to the library instead of outside playing. They're devastated! Why would they want to spend the summer READING? Well, even worse than that, the librarian is a totalitarian executioner--er, well, a strict woman with a reputation for shooting kids with a potato gun if the so much as step off the children's section carpet. Will they outsmart her? Or . . . will she help them understand why they actually want to be on that carpet?I like that the book starts with the assumption that reading books is evil and boring and then pushes the kids to not only appreciate books, but not judge by appearances and rumors. The story ran just a little young for my personal level of appreciate (even though I generally like reading a step above this to middle grade), but it's perfect for that age level and it's definitely a fun little book with a lesson that doesn't seem too grafted on. The kids are relatable and don't lose their charm after they start liking reading.
—Julie Decker
Featured at An Abundance of BooksPoor Will is one of 5 boys (all under the age of 11) who are demolishing the house during summer vacation. His parents decide that Something Must Be Done, and that Something is sending him and his older brother Marty to the library three times a week. His mother is convinced that they'll love it, Will is convinced that they won't survive it. Their local library is home to the terrifying Spud Murphy, the meanest spud-gun-toting librarian in the universe. Of course Marty and Will can't convince their parents of the danger that they'll be in and the next day their dropped off at the library.The boys try to test their limits, but Spud Murphy catches them every time. After a few days and suffering from terminal boredom, they pick up a book. They read it, they finish it, and they pick up another book. Without even realizing it they're enjoying themselves. But eventually they've read every book in the tiny children's section three times. Finally Marty dares Will to defy Spud Murphy and get them a book from another section.A very short chapter book but a fun read aloud to 1st-3rd graders. A bit corny at the end, but there's enough good humor that the kids will be willing to over look it. This is a good one to pick up from your library.Read full review HERE
—An Abundance of Books
i really enjoyed reading The Legend Of Spud Murphy. It is a book that is likely targeted at an audience of 8-12 (I'm guessing), but it is still accessible to students older than that who might be reluctant or struggling readers. Unlike other titles that I have read that aim at this audience, this book develops its storyline. It might be a short read, but Colfer is skilled at developing a narrative and every brushstroke and piece of dialogue counts. Even though I am a long way off the audience age group, I was immediately drawn into the story, recognised the normality of the character's traits and smiled at the humour. The Legend Of Spud Murphy is one book that I will be happy to use with middle-school aged students.
—Carla
