Harris and Me

Banned Book Week! Time to read some banned books. First up is this curious little item from the mid-90s, challenged apparently for its language.

A nameless 11-year-old narrator is passed from relative to relative in the 1950s (Probably? Reference is made to a 1949 truck.) because his parents are a pair of hopeless drunks. The latest stop is a farm in Minnesota (Probably? There is reference to someone going 150 miles west to North Dakota.) where we are introduced to Harris, the poster child for The Dangerous Book for Boys. The book flap references Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, and like them, Harris is chock full of mischief, willfulness and life-threatening plans for play that would probably make helicopter parents faint at the mere thought show more of them. He drops racist references to Japanese people as casually as Huck used the N-word. Harris also uses the word "damn" liberally, which I guess some people find offensive? And there are references to nudie pics.

So, should it be banned? No. Might it be inappropriate for young readers? Um, yeah. If I were reading it to a child, I'd feel obliged to have a lot of side discussions to put a lot of things into context of the historical framework.

But, hey, I'm an adult, and I grew up on a farm that was testosterone heavy with two older brothers, a father and a live-in uncle and had my own share of stupidly dangerous episodes of play and work, as well as exposure to racism, profanity, and pornography, so it was pretty easy to relate.

The hijinks are amusing enough in their boys-will-be-boys way with plenty of groin-injuring slapstick. The ending, like the setting and protagonist's name, seems needlessly vague, but its acceptable enough in its what-do-you-think-happened-next way that depends entirely on if you are in a good or bad mood when you finish the book. show less

This is quite possibly the finest piece of writing that Gary Paulsen ever did. I read this a number of years ago, but I've always been disappointed that I couldn't read it aloud to children thanks in large part to Harris being a troublesome young man with a decidedly foul mouth. I have never laughed so hard at any other book in my life, the stories of Patrick McManus included. There are few books that manage to hold so honestly to the true nature of a mischievous boy, unacceptable bits and all, and there is no other book that holds a candle to this for comedic value. It isn't in the surprise of his actions, but in the fact that despite a reader being able to foresee the consequences of Harris's actions long before he does, the reader is show more always so entirely captured in the ride that Harris takes along the way and particularly his reactions after the fact. I found myself laughing at what I knew was coming long before it ever happened only to find myself laughing that much harder by the time it actually came to pass. I'd recommend this to any literate person who doesn't risk bodily injury from the laughter it will unavoidably induce. show less

I read this book several times in my youth. I cherished it. Harris is what every American boy should have the chance to be. Free. Full of wonder. Full of an explorers spirit. Harris' exuberance towards life experiences make for an occasionally risky situations, but his father's strong hand always brought him back to reason.

Paulsen exposes youthful readers to subtle new forms and style of writing. "Me" becomes our lens, we jump into the pages becoming "Me" and get to experience Harris first-hand. I'm glad we never learn Me's real name.

I like to think I partly grew up on my Grandfather's farm, through my bi-annual visits and holiday stays. There is nothing like being young, and having a large swath of land to explore - to run amok upon. show more

I revisit this time-capsule of a book when I need to remember young freedom. Every kid should have a farm to explore and every kid should read this book before they grow up - and learn the true meaning of the word 'responsibility.'

This book is an American gem. show less

This is the best book I have read in a while. It's a story for kids before kids needed vampires, zombies, and the end of the world as we know it. The narrator is spending a summer on a farm of a distant relative and we follow his adventures with Harris, a trouble making, dare-devil, up-for-anything, swearing, breath of fresh air. You like every one of the characters. They are people you want to know with traits you want to have. The words "play" and "playing" were used so often in this book because that is what these boys do; and you'll want your boys to follow their lead and stop staring at a screen (but you'd never let them because every thing they do becomes a near death experience, and in our day and age we would never allow such show more freedom.) I laughed out loud at the situations Harris got this kid into. I cried when I was finished and could cry some more now just thinking about it. I loved this book. I recommend it to everyone and can't wait to read it with my seventh graders. show less

If you are looking for a heartwarming, poignant tale that will make you laugh and cry, then you might want to read this gem.

When studying the author's life, I came across a link that mentioned Paulsen wrote this as an autobiographical tale based on his real life experience of spending a summer on a farm in Minnesota with distant relatives.

Both parents were alcoholics and often he was shuffled from one home to another. By the time he was 11 years of age, Paulsen was relocated several times.

Never feeling as though he belonged, the narrator of Harris and Me tells of a magical time one summer when he learned the joys and the hard work of country living.

His distant cousin Harris was more than adventurous, he was indeed a devil may care, show more seize the moment and grab the gusto kind of person.

This is a magical story of a transforming summer spent with a family that cared and shared.

Paulsen's description of some of the antics were laugh-out-loud funny.

Recommended. show less

City boy meet country boy. This is a story about a twelve year old city boy who gets shipped to live with is aunt and uncle for the summer because his parents are alcoholics. He meets his cousin, Harris, who is a nine year old wild country boy. The two boys embark on the summer of their lives. The main character, nameless, grew up in the city and has never been to the country or to a farm. He spends the summer learning about farm life and the true meaning of hard work. His cousin introduces him to a new life. They have many funny escapades that summer, like performing dare devil stunts, wrestling pigs and roosters, fighting chickens and getting kicked in the head by a cow. The two experience some wild adventures and get in plenty of show more trouble, yet they manage to build a strong relationship along the way.

This book is packed full of funny, laugh out loud episodes of young boys living out their boyish imaginations. This is a heart-warming ,very funny, and entertaining read. Highly recommended for young boys. They will easily be able to connect with the very realistic characters and the theme of finding a true friend and a place to call home. The reader is constantly looking forward to what kind of trouble the two will find next.. Fun book about the carefree days of childhood with some teachable moments throughout, but beware of profanity and crude language.

Grades: 6-8 show less

A young boy of eleven spends the summer at the farm of a distant cousin, and finds himself repeatedly in trouble, at the instigation of nine year old Harris. Very funny, and an enjoyable read.