Henry III

by Joseph Krumgold, Alvin Smith (Ilustrator)

Henry hopes that he will be accepted in Crestview and no one will discover that he is a genius

Genres: Fiction

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

In addition to being a renowned author of books for young readers, Joseph Quincy Krumgold was a scriptwriter for several well-known movies, including "Seven Miles From Alcatraz" (1942) and "Dream No More" (1953). While he did not have a great number of books published over the span of his writing career, Joseph Krumgold became the first author to win the John Newbery Medal for two different books, "...And Now Miguel" (published in 1953), and "Onion John" (published in 1959).

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in elementary school and it was one of my favorites. I identified with Henry as a smart kid who had trouble making friends. I didn't really understand all of the struggles at the time due to my young age. I think I might like to read it again, just to see it in a new light.

[Edy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was written 40 years ago when I was taking an adolescent literature class:

Henry Lovering has decided he will conceal his 154 IQ so that the young residents of Crestview will accept him. The first day of school he is beaten by the rich, social outcast of the city, Fletcher Larkin, who gets the secret from him. Henry is compelled to help Fletch with his homework in return for his silence. Henry 3 is the account of Hank's interaction with Crestview and his search for truth and meaning. Henry is a well-developed character. He is extremely precocious and is constantly dreaming up schemes, e.g., his theory of relativity pertaining to the location of the town and the voyage that the stationary car, the X15, makes around the world; his plan for eliminating war, waring nations will insure each other. The characterization of Henry is consistent. As the novel progresses, the reader is able to see the development and growth that occur in Hank as a result of the events and experiences of his life. The plan that Henry has conceived to conceal his brilliance works well after he beats up and obtains a promise of secrecy from Fletch. He has nothing to do with Fletch after this victorious fight. Everything is great with Henry until Mr. Lovering's boss insists that the family install a bomb shelter and the community asks themselves and the Loverings, "If there is a bomb, what happens to the rest of us?" It is at this point that the novel begins its resolution. Being ostracized by the other boys, Henry begins to see a great deal of Fletch. They go to New York to see Mr. Lovering's boss to propose their plan for eliminating war, hoping the bomb shelter will be removed. It is while Mr. Lovering and his boss converse on the phone that Henry sees the horrible fake that the businessman side of his father is. the encounter is interrupted by a violent hurricane, Holy Hannah. This is the climax of the nove. Hank learns that all of Crestview, except Fletcher, has shrouded itself in fakeness. Ignoring the bomb shelter and huddling together in a basement, the townspeople "cared about you no matter what went wrong. . . .Once we got honest with each other, a good many of us turned out a lot different from what you'd expect. . . .It's only when we're forced. . .that we turn ourselves into something new." After the storm, everyone reverts to what he waa before except the Loverings are no longer ostracized. However, tragedy has strong Fletcher. During the hurricane, his grandfather is killed, and he hides trying to avoid going to LA with a distant relative. During this time, Hank realizes that Fletch is the only honest person he knows. "That's the way it is with Fletch. It's just as honest with him one day as it is the next. The thing is, with Larkin you don't have to wait until it's dangerous to do your best." Fletch is very well developed. He is shown to reveal himself to everyone; he plays no games. His honesty balances the fakeness that characterizes the rest of the community. The tone that he proves is genuine while the adults provide the tone of superficiality and aloofness. Fletcher goes to live with the Loverings. The themes of honesty, reality, security, and style are developed. The action is forced during the storm but drags during some narration. The language is beautiful and clever: "Ma has a laugh like the sprinkle of a hose on a window." the great impact of the book is its social criticism: Accepted dishonesty.

[Bat713]

I read The Most Terrible Turk by Joseph Krumgold. This is a gem of a book, and not well known. It was written in 1969. I taught it yearly because it is so incredible. The kids loved it. I found it by chance on the library's to be sold shelf. Krumgold is a two time Newberry Medal winner, and this book is equal to any he wrote. Goodreads does not recognize it so I had to use "Henry for my link.

[Cooper Renner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine young adult novel about family, community and brotherhood.