Perfectly Horrible!

Horrible Harry. Hmm...is this going to be one of those books where the kid always does something bad and then there's a lesson learned?

Well, sort of, but it's better than that.

How? Does he, like, make fun of everyone, and then you find out he's just such a good kid they all live happily ever after?

Not exactly. It's better than that.

How? I don't believe you.

Okay. Harry Spooger is a third-grader (though in earlier books he's in second grade) whose best friend, Doug, tells the stories. Harry is only "horrible," because some of the kids think he says crazy things, or does gross things. But really, Harry has a great imagination and is really smart, too. His teacher knows it, and so do his closest friends, Doug and Song Lee. The "Horrible Harry" books are about what goes on in Harry and Doug's class. They do special projects to learn about different topics, they go on field trips, they have parties in the classroom, just like you might have in your second or third grade classroom.

So there are a bunch of Horrible Harry books?

Yep--there are. Suzy Kline is the author. She wrote the books.

What's this one about?

After day after day of indoor recess, Harry and his friends are very bored. They become curious about a closet in the classroom that is always locked! By peeking under the door, they try to imagine all the possible things that could be in it. A trap door might be the way in, but will their teacher, Miss Mackle let them investigate? The class of room 3B learns a bit about the history of South School, and finds out how kids used to keep themselves entertained and busy on dreary indoor recess days.

Why we like this book: Harry is the kind of kid that might cause a few headaches for parents, especially with his schemes and dreams. He can surely make some messes, but he is usually out for good. He likes to please his teacher, his close friends, and sometimes gets in trouble trying to do so. Harry, for all his horrible-ness, has the same kind of joys and fears that most kids do. He's not particularly a great student or athlete, but he always tries his best when it matters. His desire to learn more sometimes ends up getting him in more hot water, but when tempered under the watchful eye of his teacher, Miss Mackle, or his best friend, Doug, Harry's escapades help the entire class learn the lesson.

Should I start at the beginning of the series?

Horrible Harry in Room 2B is the first book of the series. It can be a good place to start, but it isn't necessary. But you'll be introduced to the entire class and get to know all the antics of Harry right from the start. Harry isn't so horrible, but his stories are sure fun to read!!

Home, Sweet Home!

"Home" is a powerful word. In light of all the recent natural disasters around the planet, "home" is something that none of us should take lightly. Your home is that place that is all about you: your clothes, your pictures, your dishes, your meals, your bedtime prayers all take place in your home. It's your little bit of sanctuary in an otherwise crazy world.


While it's not really the point of this blog to get serious, I think we can all relate to this book in our own way, either as an adult who has worked all day and looks forward to crashing into our beds at night; or as a child, who looks at his or her home as a cozy den of familiarity. Miss Suzy, by Miriam Young, is the story of a grey squirrel who loves her little home in the "tip, tip, top of a tall oak tree." Miss Suzy definitely has that "pride of ownership;" she knows every last hidden corner of it, from the acorn cups to the maple-twig broom, and she keeps it spanking clean. But alas, the bad red squirrels are lurking about, wreaking havoc on poor Miss Suzy's home, forcing her to move on. She makes the best of things by living in an abandoned dollhouse, and tries to make it as close to a home as she can, yet she still misses her tall oak tree. After telling her story of being thrown from her den, her tin soldier friends rally to her aid, and Miss Suzy finds herself, once again, back in the strong branches of her tree. Miss Suzy is happy to move back in; after all, there's no place like home.

Why we like this book: Miss Suzy may not really be the storybook portrayal of a natural disaster, but it does ring back to the things we love about being home: familiarity, comfort, quiet. Even when we love to travel and explore, it still is nice to come back home. Miss Suzy also shows us that simple living, being content with oneself, really brings true happiness. She lived in the well-adorned dollhouse, with its china dishes and chandeliers, but what she really missed was how the "wind rocked her tree like a cradle," and she fell asleep every night looking at the stars. Simplicity is best. It means contentment and satisfaction. Let us not take it for granted.
One more thing we like: Illustrations by none other than Arnold Lobel, perhaps one of my most favorite children's book authors and illustrators. Happy faces, wide eyes and the picture of Miss Suzy's little house are gentle and sweet, with warm color and aspect. I love personification through his eyes--perhaps Miss Suzy lives in a tree near you! See if you can spot her--at least at your local library.

Coming back, soon!

I have not forgotten, just gotten lazy. I have another stack of great books for kids to share, and it will be coming soon!