Horrible Harry

Series Title: Horrible Harry
Author: Suzy Kline
Book Series

     I read many books from the Horrible Harry series throughout this semester.  The series is about a young boy named Harry and his second and third grade years in school.  The stories are told from the point of view of his best friend, Doug.  These are easy reads for beginning chapter book readers.  Each book is a compilation of silly stories about Harry, Doug, their teacher Mrs. Mackle, and all their friends.  Some of the books I read include: Horrible Harry in Room 2B, Horrible Harry and the Ant Invasion, Horrible Harry's Secret, Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise, Horrible Harry and the Kickball Wedding, Horrible Harry and the Dungeon, and Horrible Harry and the Purple People.  However, Suzy Kline has written over thirty books in this series.  I tried my best to read the books in order of publication from the selection I had, but I would not say it is necessary.  I would describe these books as a comedy television show that you can turn on no matter what episode it is and know what's going on.  Of course some little things build on each other, for example, in the Secret book you first learn about Harry's big crush on a girl in the class named Song Lee.  Then later in the Christmas Surprise Harry gets Song Lee a Christmas present, and in Kickball Wedding, Harry and Song Lee get married on the kickball field at recess.  I would have to say Kickball Wedding was my favorite out of the few that I was able to read.  I liked the incorporation of Song Lee's Korean culture as the whole group of friends prepared for the spectacular wedding between Henry and Song Lee.  All to have them both run off to play kickball instead of staying with the rest of the children for the marriage arranged by the big tree.
     Though I do not think these are incredibly great books for children, providing little substance other than practice for reading, there are some elements that I did appreciate.  I think, especially for early readers, that these stories would be of great interest to students because they can relate to the everyday problems these students face in school.  Most if not all children can identify with the science projects, classroom pets, substitute teachers, bullies, recess drama, and friendship.  Another part I found interesting and positive about the stories is that in some ways they are open to more real life circumstances that kids really go through.  Sidney, (Harry's rival), goes through a tough time when his mom gets remarried to a new boyfriend.  Song Lee, brings the culture of her Korean family into holidays, and Ida confronts her unique heritage of Asian, African, and Indian.  These more cultural aspects along with the daily classroom drama of second grade, may help to interest students and encourage interest in reading.  This is a very popular series to have in around second grade classrooms.