Amy Wummer

In this early chapter book, Harry falls in love with Song Lee, when she brings her water frog to school. Harry's friend Doug is horrified by this turn of events. At first, Song Lee does not have the same feelings for Harry, but as the story progresses Song Lee's feelings change and Doug thinks that things go from bad to worse. The story line in this book is entertaining and the dialog is funny and witty. Throw in Sidney, who is a bit of a prankster, and this is a book that children will show more enjoy reading again and again.

This book and others in the series would be good books to have in the classroom for independent reading time to help children with the fluency and reading stamina. These are mostly lighthearted books, but there are some areas where the plot exposes deeper issues, such as divorce and being aware of other people's feelings and emotions. I like that these deeper subjects are included in the text without feeling preachy. This might be a good avenue for students to make personal connections to the book and reflect on the deeper topics without feeling vulnerable. show less

Kline, Suzy. Horrible Harry and the Scarlet Scissors. New York: New York, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2012
Characters: Harry, Doug, Mary
Setting: South School Elementary, snow region
Theme: Friendship, art, different point of views
Genre: Children’s humorous realistic fiction
Golden Quote: “There is still something missing”
Summary: This chapter book is about three friends in a fifth grade class being introduced to art and an art teacher. The story is told through Doug’s perspective since show more he enjoys writing stories about his friend. Harry is a care free fifth grader whom most classmates see him as eccentric and boarder line annoying. Mary is a very competitive girl who knows exactly what she wants. The new art teacher, Mrs. Matalata is attempting to introduce the fifth graders to art and tells them that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” To promote the new art program at South School Elementary, the local news station has decided to host an art competition where one poster will be featured on their news program. The accounts in this book discuss how the students come to a decision on what they would like to draw and it also describes the struggles the students went through to complete their poster. At the end of the competition Harry is determined to be the winner and Mary throws a tantrum. She is so upset that she takes a pair of scarlet colored scissors and stabs two holes in Harry’s poster. In the end, Harry forgives her and the two end up becoming good friends.
Audience: 3rd to 4th Grade
Curriculum: Art, friendship, forgiveness
Personal Response: The story is written in a way that the reader feels as though these events could take place in their own school. As a result of this, the book can provide a very engaging environment for the young readers. The story is very moralistic, hitting a few key concepts: friendship, art, forgiveness and having a positive outlook. Harry is a very care free and optimistic individual, while Mary is an uptight know-it-all. However, when Mary pokes holes in Harry’s work due to her jealousy, Harry simply uses those holes to incorporate it into his poster. Mary expresses how sorry she is for her shameful action, but Harry understands that she did it in the heat of the moment, and as Mary grows, she will be able to control those outbursts better. This is a perfect book to show kids that even though someone could ruin something you have worked very hard on, if you keep an optimistic view, you could turn that to work toward your own benefit. I especially like that the author shows that two people who did not like one another and have gone through some rough and hurtful experiences can still be friends. show less

Not your typical "Horrible Harry" story. In this one, the kids begin at recess, and they go under the fence where the kickball has landed. Harry discovers that the land, owned by the Jordans, is up for sale. But Harry has a "top secret hideout" on the property, and Mary thinks this would make a great science and nature center. So the kids talk to their teacher and their principal, and ultimately, the school board, because it would not only be a great piece of land for the nature center and show more preserve the wildlife on it, but the school needs to expand (just a bit) to add two portables. No spoilers! show less

I really enjoyed the morality and kindness that was displayed in this book. It was a very enjoyable read, and something that I would be comfortable allowing my 8 year old to read on his own.