Song Lee and the "I Hate You" Notes

I've liked these stories for quite awhile, but this is the first one that made me say Wow. Love the bibliotherapy, and that Song Lee finds her backbone. Highly recommended, and not just to fans of Suzy Kline.

I loved reading the “Horrible Harry” series growing up, and I really enjoyed reading this particular book again. The first reason I liked this book is because it has meaningful yet simple illustrations mixed in with the text. These illustrations are small and black and white, and do a good job at breaking up the text so it is not overwhelming to new readers that are transitioning to chapter books. For example, the last page of the book has a small illustration of Song Lee and Mary holding hands, showing that they have become friends again. The second reason I liked this book is because of the plot. Song Lee, a third grade student, receives mean notes from a mysterious person in the classroom. Harry and Doug work on solving the show more puzzle and come to the conclusion that it is Mary, a girl who hates being wrong and who Song Lee has inadvertently outdone in class recently. Song Lee and Mary resolve their conflict with the help of their teacher and in the end, they become friends again. The plot is very relatable to everyday issues that the reader could be going through and teaches them how to solve a problem with a friend. I also like that the plot didn’t just surround Song Lee and Mary’s issues; it also highlighted Harry and Doug’s relationship and different school activities like gym class and story time. The big idea of this story is that being mean to others could result in others being mean back to you, but friendship is the most important thing. show less

This is a realistic fiction book that takes place in a third grade classroom. Many children, when reading this book, will be able to relate to it. Almost every child goes to school and can think of one person they might not like. This story teaches children to be kind to one another. Words can really hurt someone. Song Lee is receiving "I hate you" notes from someone in the classroom. Harry and Doug play investigators and figure out that Mary is sending these notes to Song Lee. This book reflects on the idea that what goes around, comes around.

This is a good example of realistic fiction. Sometimes, kids are picked on and sometimes kids do the picking on and then feel bad about it. This story is, thus, very relate-able for a lot of kids. They can see themselves or their friends in each of the characters. Also, the characters are made to be very realistic. It is set in present day in a very realistic classroom. There isn't anything fantasy about it- I can easily see my future classroom being set in up in a similar fashion- with the reading time and different stations and such.
Mary is a flat, dynamic character. We don't learn very much about her specifically, but we are kind of indirectly shown her impatience and need to be the best. But we never hear about her home life, or her show more likes and dislikes, etc to an extent that would really matter to the story. But she changes a lot when she learns her lesson about how hurtful it is to be sent I Hate You notes.
Media- pencil
Age Appropriateness- Intermediate show less

This realistic fiction book takes place in a third grade classroom, where there is tension and hurt feelings between the students. This is a very realistic story, and while being fiction, still has the ability to teach children a lesson about being kind to one another and not passing "hate" notes. The setting being in a classroom is important because the readers as children can relate to the story and it helps with the story's validity. Media: Pen and Ink

This book is a good example of realistic fiction because it is a made up story that comes across as being very real. It can relate to readers through the social values that are displayed in the story.
A teacher could use this book in the classroom for pure enjoyment and for also teaching kids about being kind to everyone in the classroom, even when you're having a bad day. This book gives good morals to readers to watch your actions and to put yourself in the other person's shoes before you hurt someone.
There was no media in this book.
The setting was important in this book because it all took place inside a classroom. The descriptions of the classroom build on the storyline and is necessary to create a good plot as well.

This book is a good example of realistic fiction because people can imagine themselves or people encountering the same situation and it gives them insight into human nature and interactions that can be applied to real life. This book took place in a classroom. Mary was not getting enough sleep and was rude and grumpy. She wrote a mean noted that said "I hate you" to the "nicest" girl in the class. The story then is about effects the classroom and how the two girls made up. The character of Mary is a round character because we get to know her through her interactions with the other students, the illustrations, and the narrator's thoughts of her. She is also a dynamic character because she changes from a grumpy and rude girl to one that show more is in a better mood and learns her lesson.
The media used was pencil
The age appropriateness is intermediate show less