Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom

Horrible Harry #9

by Suzy Kline, Frank Remkiewicz (Illustrator)

It's the last day of second grade, and Song Lee's having a party at the amusement park to celebrate. Harry can't wait to go on all the rides, except for one--THE DROP OF DOOM. Will Harry face his fear, or will he have to put up with Sidney's teasing all through third grade?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Contemporary, School, Friendship, Juvenile

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Suzy Kline, nee Weaver, was an elementary school teacher for 25 years and most of her books are based on the experiences she had while teaching. Suzy and Rufus got married and had two daughters named Jennifer and Emily. Now, more than 24 years after writing her first book, Suzy has traveled all over the United States helping children learn how to enjoy reading and writing.

Reviews

[Jeff hagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry is scared of elevators

[Brooklynn Gookin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good book because he is afraid of elavaders and know he is not

[paige turner ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this Horrible Harry book is one of my favourites in the series.

Harry has one flaw--he's scared of elevators! Getting stuck in an elevator is pretty scary, I mean, I would probably be scared of elevators too if I got stuck in one when I was about four years old.

What made me fall in love with this book was that Harry was first embarrassed, he's the kid that loves all things scary and horrible, but this is his kryptonite. Song Lee doesn't judge him though, neither does his best friend Doug, and they tell Harry that they will help him conquer his fear of elevators.

I love how Song Lee told Harry she would warn him when the elevator is about to drop, and I loved that she was so confident saying that he might like it once he tries it. A lot of things can be scary until you try them out.

Harry didn't just like the ride; he loved the ride.

In the end, it's better to face your fears head-on.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, short, beginner chapter book in a long-running series from the 1990s. I might have read some of these when I was a kid, but can't remember. I know they were probably always there at the Scholastic book fairs.

In this book, a group of kids are invited to this amazing theme park and everybody's excited to go onto the Drop of Doom! Everybody, except Harry, who has a dreadful fear of--not heights--elevators! Because he was once trapped on one in the dark. It's up to Harry and his friends to help him through this fear.

I enjoyed this story because I'm a sucker for theme park books. I wish it had been a little longer. But also that it plays on some out-of-date stereotypes of Asian speech. It was a product of its time. Still, this was a fun read. My rating - 3/5

[Savani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s so weird to know that this book ends their second grade year and know they’re going on to third grade…

This book was different from the previous ones. Set in an amusement that has similar rides to Disneyland. Aside from Miss Mackle, we’re introduced to Song Lee’s mother Mrs. Park. What a sweet lady to offer to take 7 children to the park. That sounds like a stressful day already. Also, how’s her cooler full of food? Haha, those good old days.

Cute story about overcoming your fears.

“...Sometimes you feel different about things after you try them.”

[Patricia McCowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

About Harry, a usually horrible classmate who we find out in this story has a fear of elevators when he and his friends go to an amusement park and they all want to ride the Drop of Doom. This shows a different side to this character. Short chapter book, and part of a series. I think this would be good for readers who may not really enjoy reading because once they get into the characters, there is a whole series for them to read. Very easy beginning chapter book.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doug, Horrible Harry's best friend, tells all about how Harry over came his fear of riding elevators. The story takes place on the last day of second grade when Harry and some of his classmates celebrate at Mountainside Amusement Park, and Harry is challenged to ride the Drop of Doom.

[Joy Keil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of a large series of fun stories following the antics of Doug, Harry and their friends through 2nd and 3rd grades. Excellent to listen to (available on Hoopla), and usually around 30-45 min, these are enjoyable for kids and adults alike. I highly recommend for your next car ride!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

2017 2nd grade

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story of facing your fears and conquering them. My son loved this read aloud.

[Carl Tolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I rate this book five stars is because it was a great book. If you like horrible harry you will like this one. my favorite part was when they went on the drop of doom.

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because Harry overcame his fears. I didn't like this book because Sydney was mean.

[Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this when i was 7

[Malinda Lane]

When your afraid and your good friends are with you, anything is possible.

[Dope Ghost Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for kids about facing your fears, no matter how scary they seem. Plus, the Drop Of Doom ride is bitchin'!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun to see the gang outside of the classroom, as well as Harry being vulnerable with his friends.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry's afraid of what? Who would believe the boy who loves creepy things, slimy things and anything horrible would be afraid of anything. But when Song Lee invites class members to an end-of-year party at Mountainside Park, with the famous Drop of Doom elevator ride, Harry must face his fear of what? What's so scary about an elevator?

[Kristi Feliksik]

Interest level: ages 7 and up
Lexile Reading Level: 410 L
Genre: Comedy and Humor/ Series/ Ralistic Fiction
Main Characters: Song Lee, Harry, Doug, Sidney, Mary

Song Lee invited her friends Harry, Doug, Sidney, and Mary to her birthday party. They are going to an amusement park to celebrate. Harry loves all the scary rides at the park except one, the Drop of Doom. Harry faces his fear with the help of Song Lee. Harry conquers his fear and realizes that he actually enjoys the Drop of Doom.

I would use this story in my future classroom to reinforce the concept of friendship. I would read one to two chapters from the book to the students daily. At the end we would discuss times that they have faced their fears. I would ask questions like "Was there anyone who helped you face your fear?" and "What did your friend do to help you face your fear?" as well as "How did you feel after you faced your fear?" I would use this to help form a close community in my classroom and encourage my students to all act like friends to one another like Song Lee did to Harry.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another interesting story in the Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline and Frank Remkiewicz. We've read several of the books in this series and found them to be funny, short, and entertaining.

I loved that the story handled the concept of fears and offers a way to overcome them with the support of friends. Our girls loved that it featured an amusement park with fun and scary rides and we reminisced for a bit about our most recent trip to a park like this.

We really enjoyed reading this book together and will be sure to read more of the books in this series soon.

[Brooke Birchler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a really good book for a student who is just getting into chapter books. This is a story about a group of children who take a trip to an amusement park. One of the children is afraid to go on one of the rides but does not want to admit it to his friends because he is afraid he will get teased. One of his friends helps him to get through his fear and he rides the ride and loves it. This would be a good book to recommend to a child if they have a fear of amusement park rides or just any child who has a fear that they are trying to get past.

[Kristy Haight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 2.8


Series: Puffin chapters

Included in These Sets/Series:
Horrible Harry Chapter Books


Subjects:
Fear Fiction.
Amusement parks Fiction.
Elevators Fiction.


Illustrator: Remkiewicz, Frank

Notes: On the last day of second grade, Song Lee's party at the local amusement park forces Harry to face his fear of elevators when he is expected to ride the Drop of Doom.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I hated Horrible Harry & The Green Slime, I actually loved this one even though it is NOT age appropriate XD Unlike the last volume I read, the entirety of this book focused on one story. It left room to develop characters and have meaningful plot points. It reminded me of an episode of 'Doug' from the 90s. The plot was almost exactly the same. It's just too cute! I'm glad I finally read it.

*** 3 STARS ***

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a second grader who is challenged by a peer to ride an amusement park ride. He later finds out that the ride is an elevator drop and he is terrified of elevators. The story tells of how with the help of his friends, Harry is able to overcome his fear. I would use this book in class to teach about our abilities to overcome our fears and to reach goals we think are unattainable. This book is a good transitional reader for students starting into chapter books.

[Earline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this story because it features the Drop of Doom (very smiliar to our favorite ride: the Tower of Terror). I enjoyed Harry's struggle to overcome his fears and the backstory of his fear for elevators really seemed to resonate with my stepson. My only reservation is the dialog for Song Lee's mother made me uncomfortable.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

its about Song lee invited a everybody to the end of the school year party and Sid says there is a new ride called the drop of doom it has to do something about elevators which Harry is afraid of so when Song lee encouraged him to go on he went on and survived it.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started this series with my son this week. A perfect transition book into chapter books as it still has some pictures to help him visualize the story.

Funny and sweet and actually real to life feelings for these kids.

[Shellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

End of the year party at an amusement park, Mountainside Parkfor a lucky group of 2nd graders. Fearless, adventurous Harry has a phobia, elavators. He has promised his freinds to ride the Drop of Doom(Disney's Tower of Terror.

Book about the power of friendship and overcoming your fears.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this to my sons because it had a very realistic plot that my boys could really relate to (unlike fantasy books). Harry was scared to go on a ride at the amusement park, but he overcame his fear and enjoyed it.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, and how they all help Harry deal with a fear that he has while one of his classmates makes fun of him over it. It shows just how each of us have fears, and how we can work through them with help from our friends.

[tashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am not done with this book but really liked it