In Search of Goliathus Hercules

This is the fantastic story of Henri Bell, a near-orphan who in 1890 is sent to live with his ancient great-aunt and her extensive button collection. One rainy afternoon, Henri strikes up a conversation with a friendly fly on the windowsill and discovers he possesses the astounding ability to speak with insects. Thus commences an epic journey for Henri as he manages a flea circus, commands an army of beetles, and ultimately sets out to British Malaya to find the mythical giant insect known as Goliathus hercules. Along the way he makes friends both insect and human, and undergoes a strange transformation of his own. Artist Jennifer Angus, known for her Victorian-inspired exhibits of insect specimens, brings her distinctive sensibility to the pages of her first novel.

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  • 9780807529935
  • May 2015

Reviews

  • Angus, an artist who creates installations using bugs, excels with her insect characters. They liven things up with their often-humorous commentary and fierce loyalty to Henri.

    - Kirkus Reviews

  • This book is well thought out and a joy to read. Children will find Henri and all of his insect friends to be relatable characters. It is a grand adventure, one full of excitement and plenty of questions to keep readers engaged.

    - School Library Journal

  • Roald Dahl meets Franz Kafka in this charming and unpredictable debut novel, which is set in the 1890s…With respect and clever characterization, she makes fleas and other creepy-crawlies downright sympathetic, leaving readers to rethink their relationship with the insect world.

    - Publishers Weekly

  • Debuting author Angus builds this fantastical premise with well-placed scenes in which Henri’s own deep skepticism cleverly encourages the reader to join willingly in his discoveries…accessible for new fantasy readers while offering something different to established fantasy fans.

    - Booklist

  • Debuting author Angus builds this fantastical premise with well-placed scenes in which Henri’s own deep skepticism cleverly encourages the reader to join willingly in his discoveries…accessible for new fantasy readers while offering something different to established fantasy fans.

    - Library Media Connection

Common Core

RL.5.1,2,3,4,5,6,9 RL.6.1,2,3,4,5,6,10 RL.7.1,2,3,4,5,6,10

 

  • Accelerated Reader Points: 12.00
  • ATOS Level: 5.40