Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School

by Emily Jenkins, Pete Oswald (Contributor)

A chapter book that follows, day by day, the first hundred days in one first grader's classroom.

In just one hundred days, Harry will learn how to overcome first-day jitters, what a "family circle" is, why guinea pigs aren't scary after all, what a silent "e" is about, how to count to 100 in tons of different ways, and much more. He'll make great friends, celebrate lots of holidays, and learn how to use his words. In other words, he will become an expert first grader.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, School, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2020

About the author

Emily Jenkins is the author of many books for children, including the recent picture books Tiger and Badger, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay, and Princessland, illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Her chapter books include the Toys series, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; she is co-author of the Upside-down Magic series. Emily Jenkins lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Rickele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure what the point of this book was. It was a cute story but Harry felt like he has way to much social-emotional maturity for a first grader. This book was written with simple sentences, which would be prefect or a first grader, but is way to long for their interest. Also, there is no real plot(in fact I found it missing a plot completely) or character development. Certain parts almost read like a demonstration for a teacher guide, but I hope that any first grade teacher who reads this is aware of sight words. I feel this book would have done better if written as a beginner chapter book series, Harry versus the First Grade and each book would highlight a different month. Overall, I found this book to be extremely lacking.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry was happy to have made through kindergarten successfully. Summer is almost over and he’s getting worried about starting first grade. What if he gets lost in the big school building where his new classroom will be? Sure, his sister Charlotte is in fourth grade but she’s upstairs on the second floor! Harry worries that the teachers will be strict, that there will be too many rules, and the kids will be mean. His Mom and sister try to tell him it will be okay, and Charlotte even explains that “sure there will be a few mean kids, just don’t hang out with them.”

Many primary schools (K-2nd grade) celebrate the first one hundred days of school in a grand way. The kids feel like they’ve accomplished something huge, and they have, it’s a big achievement to adjust to school when your new at it and just six or seven years old. The teachers and administrators understand this and celebrate with them.

Usually there are fun crafts, hands-on projects, similar to what Harry’s class does by bringing in 100 small items of their choice, plus games and snacks. The story is told with 100 short chapters counting up to the one hundredth day. It goes quickly and has terrific illustrations by Pete Oswald.

I used to love books like this when I was a kid, it made me feel as if I could step right into the picture and be a part of the book! Such fun!

Emily Jenkins even created toys called ‘Fluff Monsters’ that Harry and his friends love. They’re four different characters, cute and fluffy, each a different color, that are part of a video game. Harry decides to make 100 small Fluff Monsters to bring to school on the 100th Day, which is a whole story in itself. Most kids bring things like 100 pennies, 100 erasures, or even 100 mini marshmallows.

This is the perfect book for any first-grade student, that teachers, parents, and librarians will love.
I highly recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Children’s, and Emily Jenkins.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is absolutely remarkable. Hilarious with amazing illustrations by Pete Oswald. Could win a award in 2022. Definitely possible!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who is this book for? It is to long for a first grader to read, and the kids in the story do not sound like first graders at all. Older kids will not be drawn to it, the cover looks like it is for younger kids. Also, nothing really happens, it's just the same formula every few pages. Something happens Harry doesn't like, a different character helps it see why said thing isn't so bad, and then Harry decides he likes it.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry is beginning First Grade. Even having his big sister just upstairs, Harry is nervous about what will happen. You see Harry and his classmates go through the first 100 days. You see it through his point of view. Why didn't he get chosen to be line leader? Why is one boy telling him he is going to hurt him, but never does? What happens through his eyes in every little portion of the day?
This book would be a great read aloud for the first couple of days and into the new school year. I think it will make the kids see that they are not alone in the newness of a classroom, peers, and teachers.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will recognize themselves in Harry and his first grade classmates, in his refreshingly entertaining, diverse classroom at Graham Elementary School, in Brooklyn. Harry is apprehensive about the idea of starting school in a big unfamiliar building. Full of engaging coloful illustrations by Pete Oswald, Harry's Versus The First 100 Days of School begs to be read aloud. His honest reactions and opinions such as, "I like people who don't pull pants down," he says. "My pants are nobody else's business," is spot on. Because the first 100 days of first grade are so important, kids will feel empowered experiencing the process through the astute eyes of "Harry the Expert." I'd recommend it both as a read aloud, and because of the welcoming text and pictures, some children in younger elementary grades will be able to read it themselves. This is an absolutely charming funny story that both kids, parents, and teachers, will relate to and love. They'll observe the wise teaching methods used to guide the children in Harry's classroom, as they experience some tough and many joyful experiences in Ms. Peek-Schnitzel's classroom.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, this book immediately had me bristling because of the blurb from the author of "Wonder," one of the most overrated books I've ever read. The "versus" has become a kids' book cliche. And I'm not into Emily Jenkins much either. But I tried to be objective:

It is nice that Jenkins is a fan of the immortal Rosemary Wells and that this was inspired by her book Emily's First 100 Days of School, but that book would work even for a first grader, while this one is way too long for kids of this age, despite the plentiful artwork. It's close to 200 pages.
And spare me comments about your own super genius child who was reading Harry Potter in the crib!

I do like books about kids just being kids, and Harry and his classmates are well done. But unless older kids read this in the same nostalgic way they read about Ramona Quimby's adventures in kindergarten, or this is read aloud by a parent TO a first grader, this book really doesn't have much of an audience.

Note: There are some pretty good picture books in the afterword.Try reading those with your 1st grader instead of this.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will enjoy the familiar setting and plot lines of what happens at school.
It bothered me that a situation had one student continually snapping the waistband of another and threatening to pull down his pants happened repeatedly without an adult ever knowing.

[Brandi Rae Fong]

Okay, so this was super cute. While it felt a little long for the intended reading level, I loved the format, with short vignettes highlighting different parts of Harry's day as he learned to navigate friends, feelings, and first grade. And Jenkins referenced so many of my favorite picture books...I really hope we get to visit Harry in second grade too.

[Katie Giordano · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7 year old, 1st grade boys enjoyed this book. I initially didn’t like that in the beginning Harry was exhibiting some poor behavior but my boys said they liked Harry and he was only just learning! I thought about that and agreed. Harry grew by the middle of first grade and really came into himself. I thought it depicted first graders quite well.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first grader and I read Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School together. Emily Jenkins uses 100 short chapters to explore the 100 first days of school. Great way to introduce all the feelings (good and bad) that children have when starting out in school. My son loved the parts where the class floated pumpkins (he did that too!) and he could relate to the friend relationships and family discussions, etc. Harry is likable and faces his challenges well. I liked, best of all, that the book portrayed appropriate relational aggressions normal for first grade (instead of forcing Wyatt into the "bully" label). Kids are all learning to speak up for themselves and get along, and this showed Harry's healthy path in doing that, without ruining Wyatt.

We did wonder why a first grader was turning six. Don't they normally turn 7? It also felt like the author went very far out of her way to include lots of hot topics in an effort to create the most politically correct first grade classroom she could find. It was certainly modern and diverse, but felt a little contrived in that sense (although, I don't live in NYC and teaching and discussions may be more realistic for their community).

Checked out at library and reviewed in consideration for Cybils Award Early Chapter Book shortlist for 2021.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you can probably tell by the title, this book documents Harry's first 100 days of first grade. Each day gets an entry describing something Harry did or learned. Entries are generally a page or two long, and there are illustrations throughout as well. Harry's parents are divorced and he doesn't get to see his dad much, but he has a supportive mom and older sister and a regular baby sitter. He makes friends, learns how to read words with silent "e", gets better at controlling his emotions, and deals with a bully. But will he achieve his goal of becoming an expert at something?

This was cute! Harry lives in Brooklyn, but many of his challenges will be relatable to any kid. Harry is white, but has a diverse class. I liked it, but it will likely have to be a read-aloud, since 2nd grade and up are not going to be as interested in reading about a first grader, and most first graders won't be able to tackle a 200+ page book.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute with 100 short vignettes following Harry's time in first grade. I feel like his voice rings pretty true. Lots of boogers, puking, poems, and Fluff Monsters in the classroom. But also feelings and working through friendship situations. And Jenkins includes a list of all the books different teachers read to the class.

p. 38: "Harry's job is Calendar. That means that today he writes the number twelve in the correct square in the blank calendar on the wall. Calendar is a terrible job. It's just writing in a square. A baby could write in a square. Okay, a baby could not write in a square. But Harry wants to be Line Leader."

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding chapter book about Harry’s 1st 100 days of 1st grade. He learns about classroom rules , how to handle bullies , how to read and count, and most importantly learns how to be a good friend and learner . Loved that books the teacher read to them are listed at the end , along with how to do the class craft projects. This would be an excellent read aloud for 1st graders. Colored illustrations are interspersed throughout the chapters.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I would champion for the Newbery.

[Agata · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not age appriopriate for 6-8 year olds, feels more like middle school drama (main themes being making friends & bullying). Story line is boring. Every day is detailed minutiae of a classroom school day with too many characters to keep track of. No character development at all, just kids saying silly things from time to time. Woke restorative justice teacher has no control of the classroom in terms of discipline but spends a lot of time on words that some people might find offensive (such as the word "weird", so 6 year old kids are instructed to use the word "unusual" instead). A few funny moments here & there, but the rest is very meh. Lots of negative role models & language (kids being mean to each other, the main character calling food "yucky" ALLLL the time, comparing the face of the babysitter to a horse etc). Got bored half way through & struggled to finish. Didn't keep the attention of my 6 & 8 year olds.

On top of that, the book depicts everything that is wrong with woke public schools:
- unrealistic, age inappropriate expectations of 6 yo children (for example, collaboration on a team project),
- lots of attention drawn to descriptions of physical looks of people,
- pushing politics in first grade (with not so subtle leftist bias & Obama snuck in for no good reason),
- pushing history revisionism on little kids who are just learning to read (basically: native people - good people, Europeans - pure evil invaders & murderers, Columbus & Thanksgiving - pure evil, Halloween - verboten because Muslims may be offended etc),
- erasure of American culture in favor of promotion of Native American culture (with some disinformation along the way, for instance that pumpkins were first cultivated by Native Americans, when they actually come from Mexico),
- "stolen" land acknowledgement,
- not a single mention of: the American flag or Veteran's Day, but a whole chapter about Election Day and Indigenous Day (formerly Columbus Day),
- promoting broken & gay families (in Harry's classroom only 1-2 kids have a regular nuclear family, everyone else is either divorced or gay, Harry himself lives only with his mother & is basically raised by his babysitter),
- family "circles" instead of family trees where teacher tells kids to include "any adults you want",
- non stop mentions of "parents and caregivers" language or "grown ups" instead of "parents" (the woke erasure of parents),
- intrusive teacher asking intrustive identity politics questions that should be none of her business,
- teacher calling kids "friends" (the harmful force-friending bad habit that schools have),
- adults ignoring bullying & telling kids they should become friends with bullies (the restorative justice nonsense),
- all the main characters being bratty & smug all the time & a complete lack of discipline at school,
- and the classroom meanie is, of course, stereotypically, the only white boy with blonde hair in the classroom.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapter book invites readers to experience the first 100 days of school alongside Harry. Harry has worries about his first day of school, helped quite a bit by his older sister showing him the way things work. He has a real fear of guinea pigs, a creature he believes is much more like a wild pig than the small furry rodent it actually is. Harry decides that his goal is to become an expert on something, though he isn’t sure what. Perhaps an expert on Fluff Monsters, a video game he loves. Harry quickly makes friends at school, surprising himself by who he actually gets closer to. He learns to set healthy boundaries with classmates who like to play jokes and also finds himself overcoming a lot of his fears along the way. In fact, he turns out to be an expert on quite a lot!

Award-winning author Jenkins sets exactly the right tone here. Throughout the book, there is humor that will have children immediately engaged and that is layered beautifully with empathy for Harry and the others in his class. Harry and his classmates are multidimensional characters who reveal themselves over the course of the book. Readers will laugh out loud at the humor here and be drawn deeply into the story of how Harry survives first grade.

The illustrations by Oswald work well to break up the text and make this a more approachable book for young readers. Oswald captures the diversity of Harry’s class and community. The urban setting is vibrant and colorful while the classroom is warm and inviting.

Funny and clever, this is just the right book for first graders and any others who may need a good giggle about school starting. Appropriate for ages 5-7.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though he went to Kindergarten, Harry doesn't think he is ready for first grade. He has worries. Will he get lost in the big building? Will his teacher yell? What about mean kids and scary classroom guinea pigs? Not even the new Fluff Monster keychain on his backpack makes Harry feel ready.

This absolutely endearing tale chronicles Harry's experiences with school, the Hundred Days lessons and how he becomes an expert at not one but three things! Emily Jenkins masterfully puts readers right inside Harry's head as he takes on the challenges of first grade. Funny, sweet and absolutely dead on authentic, this book addresses the complicated whirl of a child's fears, misunderstandings, and confusions as well as the growth, revelations, breakthroughs and triumphs of that important early school experience.

Harry is a complete delight and thanks to Emily Jenkins, I will never think about first graders in the same way. Loaded with Jenkins' signature wry humor, the book is as insightful of the way a young child thinks as it is funny. I think Jenkins should trademark those Fluff Monsters too ;-)

I read this in galley which included just a few of the promised illustrations by Pete Oswald and I can't wait to see the finished copy. I can't think of a better book to use as a first grade classroom read aloud or one for a parent to read with a first-grader to be. Absolutely stellar in every way.

[Ann]

This book did a fabulous job really getting into the head of a first grader. I thought that the use of short vignettes for each day was effective, showing how relatively small things added up. The mentions of "this happened over the weekend" allowed relationships to build off page while keeping to focus tight on specific interactions. Harry came through very strongly, and I liked that the author mostly used descriptions of what Harry was doing rather than what he was feeling. His worries and concerns about things like finding a book to justify his Not Halloween costume at school felt very real. I wish that Wyatt's comments about pulling down Harry's pants had been discussed with an adult, but I also can see kids being upset but not able to articulate why when adults ask.

Nitpicks - why is Harry only 5 in December, with no mention made of his birthday coming up? My experience says that kindergartners are five, first graders are 6 about to turn seven. The audience on this one is a bit hard for me too - unlike, say, Junie B Jones where the reader is clearly intended to be older and wiser than Junie B and that's part of the fun, this book really speaks to that first grade audience, but could not be read by the target age group on their own. There's nothing wrong with a book that's intended as a read aloud, but I worry that it will be missed by many kids who would love listening to it.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
This is a must read for families as they prepare for first grade. It's also a terrific read aloud for first grade classrooms.
Harry is nervous about starting first grade. His fourth grade sister and mom offer support and make sure he gets to the right classroom. He's not sure about his teacher, making friends or classroom during the first week. Readers see how his perspective changes as the year progresses. Jenkins uses short entries set up for each of the first 100 days of the school year. The simple language will connect with lower elementary readers; they will identify with Harry and his friends as they experience first grade - the fears, excitement, friendship struggles. The world open up for these classmates as they learn to read and grow their brains. Jenkin's pace captures the growth spurts and pauses for students of this age. Plenty of humor mixed with the learning will appeal to families and classes. The informative text at the end offers further resources for parents and teachers.

[Julie Overpeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry loves his mom, his sister Charlotte, his dad who lives in another city, and Fluff Monsters. He also likes his first grade teacher Mrs. Peek-Schnitzel, his friends at the Goat table, and making pom-poms. He does not like guinea pigs, when Wyatt snaps his waistband, or when his dad doesn’t visit like he said he would. Through the course of the first 100 days, though, Harry has ups and downs, but mostly ups.

At first, the format of a chapter for each of the first 100 days of school seemed like it might get tedious, but it doesn’t. The story is cute, and primary students will be able to relate. Making new friends, not wanting to get in trouble, puking at school, and the culminating event of bringing 100 objects to celebrate the 100th day of school are just a few examples of what readers will experience with Harry. There is so much packed in this story. Pete Oswald’s illustrations are delightful and add to the charm. This chapter book would make a good read-aloud.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because it has been mentioned on several Mock Newbery lists. While I agree that there is not much of a plot, it does include many things that are important to first graders and primary students. It has several laugh-out loud moments, alludes to some difficulties, but really has no bad adults and makes some good points without being too pointed. I was afraid that Wyatt would become the stereotypical bully, but he did not. Harry's dad fell short at one point, but redeemed himself later. Harry is not perfectly behaved, but he grows. All of the teachers are well-meaning, but I was disappointed that it typecast with Mrs. Tellicherry's "librarian whisper."
The book goes a bit overboard in being politically correct, and is probably too long for a first grader, but it has heart. And, how many first graders (and their families) have agonized over what to bring for the 100th day? Harry has a great solution!

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

This was stupid. At first, I wanted to be mad about it being so incredibly stupid, but then I realized this is exactly what the idiotic public school system is.

The class works on exactly one thing (counting to 100), does it poorly and to the detriment of any other learning.

The teacher is more concerned over past "injustices" (Thanksgiving and Columbus Day are problematic) but fails to explain any of it, put it into any context, or realize that maybe you should just keep your mouth shut with 1st graders (failing that, then don't even mention the two days, what's it matter).

We mention the kids with two mommies, the Muslims, the Jews, an election, and video game characters. More focused on everything that is not critical to a 1st graders education.

She also teaches sight words, and tries to teach the kids that numbers are relative because their walking strides are all different.

Meanwhile, just to give some context, our main character can't read (and is able to hide that fact); is bullied (more like sexually harassed) and that is hidden from the teacher; is more worried about a Halloween costume because of a teacher's arbitrary rule; and another girl in the class is clearly going through some serious stuff at home.

This teacher must be high or drunk to think that these kids need to "reflect on the indigenous people" who lost their land because of Thanksgiving, instead of teaching them to read.

This is a ringing endorsement of why everyone should be pulling their kids out of public school. (Of course, the book isn't written that way. There isn't an ounce of irony or satire in this thing.)

I simply wasn't willing to give this book any more time.

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic chapter book for early elementary school students! Harry is so incredibly relatable with his adjustment to first grade. This book touches on all of the worries that students face when starting a new school year, told in a way to calm fears and let them know they aren't alone. Each of the teachers in the book are fantastic at problem solving, as are Harry's mom and sister. Through their examples, Harry learns how to cope with changes and expectations in the world around him. This would be a great book for first grade teachers to read aloud to their classes, they could even read it on the matching days! It would also be great for rising first graders to read the summer between kindergarten and first grade.

eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry has a lot of worries as he is about to start his First Grade year. It's so very different from kindergarten. His older sister tries to assure him that he's going to be fine, but Harry just has to experience it for himself.

Though he has some ups and downs, Harry makes some new friends, learns to use his words to express his feelings (even standing up to a would-be bully), and is on his way to becoming an expert on how to be a successful first grader.

It would have to be a read aloud for 1st graders because the reading level is too high for most first graders. You'll have to be ready to read words like booger, puke and other fun first grade vocabulary. There are a lot of good and bad decisions made by the students that would lead to great discussion.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry is afraid of going to first grade, even though he successfully completed Kindergarten. One hundred short chapters follow his growth and learning, friends, teachers, and family members through the first 100 days of first grade. The book would make a good read aloud for the beginning of first grade.
The author tried too hard to include every politically correct topic of the day (e.g. Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day). In providing Harry with an authentic voice, she also used the colloquial "like", which I do not wish to encourage. This review is like getting a little critical now.
Nonetheless, the book may provide many text-to-self connections for students in early elementary classrooms.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Adorable and authentic look at the first 100 days of first grade! Love Harry and his family and classmates, great characters. Love the kidlit books mentioned, a full list in the back. Bless Ms. Peek-Schnitzel teaching at age 63. Love the Goblin the guinea pig, reminds me of the ones I had in the classroom and library. Love the back matter of the book and the illustrations, especially the book character parade. Would love to see a shiny medal on Youth Media Awards day. Only drawback is that the class seems to be more kindergarten than first grade. Would be a cute read aloud for K and other grades that celebrate 100 days!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry is nervous for starting 1st grade, but he knows a few kids from kindergarten. His teacher seems okay, but each day presents a new challenge. Each of the first 100 days is a different subheading within the 19 chapters. Readers will recognize the few illustrations by Pete Oswald scattered throughout from Jory John's The Bad Seed series. It's a long book, but it reads quickly and uses simple or easy compound words that early elementary school students can read. I get why Harry is in 1st grade, but very few 1st graders would be able to read this book on their own. It would be fun if a 1st grade class did this as a read aloud for their 1st 100 days.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so much fun to read! Harry is a lovely character who is learning to be a first grader. The author tells Harry's story as he goes through the first 100 days of 1st grade- how he interacts with his classmates, goes through different emotions and feelings, deals with frustration and success, and learns about so many new things! I also like the Mrs. Peek-Schnitzel's character- she sounds like a good teacher who always strives to be all-inclusive!

I think this would be a nice book to read aloud with my first graders :)

[Jeannie Standal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute daily account of the ups (making new friends, conquering the silent e) and downs (pumpkin cupcakes and puking in class) of Harry's first 100 days of 1st grade. Set in a NYC public school, there is diversity in the students and their parents, but challenges that are universal.

This is probably a read aloud - maybe one day for each of the first 100 days of the school year - since the plot and character would appeal to younger students who may not be reading chapter books independently yet.