Horrible Harry in Room 2B

Horrible Harry #1

by Suzy Kline

Doug discovers that though being Harry's best friend in Miss Mackle's second grade class isn't always easy, as Harry likes to do horrible things, it is often a lot of fun.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, Humor, 2nd Grade, School

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

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

[— nova]

my favorite thing about horrible harry is that he isn't really all that horrible

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading books as I clear off the shelves. This book has been around for ever and I've never actually read it. I'm pretty sure my oldest boy did read it. It's not badly written and held my attention for what it is but there are much better books out there. Harry is not very endearing. He's a troublemaker but I found nothing to make me like him. At least the "Horrid Henry" books are hilarious. This wasn't even funny. Not a bad book, but just ok for an early chapter book.

[Brett W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my 7yr old. She really liked it, but wanted it to be longer. She liked it almost as much as Junie B Jones. 😍👌

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline and Frank Remkiewicz. We've already read a couple of these stories out of order and found them to be funny, short, and entertaining. So we decided to start reading the series from the beginning.

This book introduces us to Harry and his friends and other classmates. We see that Harry does some naughty, some clever, and some downright mean things, but on the whole, he is a good kid and the narrator's best friend. The story takes us through the span of the Autumn months of second grade. Each chapter seems to tell a different tale and our girls could really relate to the characters' experiences. We enjoyed reading this story and I expect we'll be visiting with Horrible Harry again very soon.

[Thatmelosuccs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, it really shows us what occurred in The Canary incident from the eyes of Doug "Dazuhira" Oceller, which in turn led Harry to become codename "Horrible Snake", by the way Sidney was the man who sold the world, trust me.

[Grace Castellucci · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was a good book although very short.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was funny when Harry smashed the banana and shook Sidney’s hand!

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book was fine! I read it because we have a ton of these books and I wanted to see if it was super cringey or crass before I pass it all on to my daughter, but it wasn't. Horrible harry plays a lot of pranks but he also has a kind side. Cute enough!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Horrible Harry. I like the narrator Doug more. The delight he takes in the antics of his friend, and his own honesty in how he sometimes does 'horrible' things too made for a great tale. What I love is that some of these 'horrible' things were actually great actions of friendship and understanding.

And some of them were just horrible.

Still, I laughed. And enjoyed this book thoroughly.

The pacing isn't real fast, but the story is a good one. I'll look for more in the series. And I would definitely recommend it to others.

[Superreader300 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about horrible Harry. He put a snake in front of Song Lee and he pounced on Sydney and made him say, "I love girls" three times. He also shook hands with a slug on his hand. My mom doesn't like the things that Harry did! Something happened to Harry, too. A bee came out of the trashcan and stung him!

[Jazmine Ramirez]

Horrible Harry in Room 2B is a funny book I have read more than once. I remember reading this novel in elementary school and the other Suzy Kline series of books. Many people would not recommend this for elementary aged students, but the reading level is and gasping a since of humor will allow an elementary student to understand.

[Krishnaprasad Chaitanya]

Awesome book for kids. Very funny.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the stuff of 90s Scholastic book orders right here.

[Jeffery Worrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. I used to read all of the horrible Harry books when I was smaller. I just wish there was more in this book. Still, I LOVE HORRIBLE HARRY!

[Hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry let Song Lee shout!!!

[Andrew J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not the intended age for this series, but I discovered them back when I was. I remember hearing some of my classmates saying that "Horrible Harry" was a bully, but I never got that impression from the couple books I read back then (I didn't read much as a kid, so the fact that I read some of these was a miracle). The impression I got was that he was a sneaky and sarcastic, yet typical school-age boy.

What's interesting is that Harry isn't really the main character at all, but rather his friend Doug is. It's written from the first person perspective, and Kline made it clear on page 2 who was the MC. I didn't remember that before picking up one of these again.

While Harry isn't a bully, he can be a trouble-maker... or at least -attempter.

This first installment into the lives of these second grade students introduces Doug, Harry, Song Lee (she has her own spin-off series) a few others, and their teacher Miss Mackle. Each book is a collection of short stories about them. In this one, there's a surprise in a shoebox for Song Lee, a prank concocted by Harry that took weeks to plan, his playful revenge because of a nickname he can't stand, his shenanigans and sarcastic suggestion for a Thanksgiving play (I've never actually seen one of those. Could be interesting in real life), and a field trip that kind of tugs at your heart just a little bit (probably more if you're ten or younger).

It's a cute book.

[Brandi Balzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horrible Harry in room 2B is a book about about a naughty second grader who likes to play tricks on people and get into trouble. It is told through the perspective of his best friend Doug, who thinks what Harry does is horrible but tries to see the best in him even though sometimes it is hard. Although this book is about Harry being a bully he is also bullied quite often himself. Which is why Doug sees past Harry's horrible deeds.
I rated this book a two. This book is an easy read for young students, and may appeal especially to boys who are looking for a laugh or can appreciate the humor in some extreme pranks. Overall the concept of the book is about friendship. However, Harry was not necessarily the kindest of friends to Doug, or anyone for that matter. Because of this, I don't think he is a great role model to have young kids read about.

[Emma Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible Harry's adventures starts in the first book written by Suzy Kline and Frank Remkiewicz. They obviously have a good point of humor! From scaring his classmates with snakes, First Revenge, Double Revenge, even to Triple Revenge, all Harry's friend, Doug, can do is cross his heart, hope to die, stick a needle in his eye![their usual pinky swear ] Harry is the well known nemesis of Sidney, friend of Doug,and, Secret Admirer of Song Lee! [to find out more Information about the love read The Kickball Wedding] Even though Harry flashes his pearly whites, aka his smile, you should know to stay afar for sure! Harry is a loveable boy as long as you don't mess with him! I have never regretted reading this book!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry is in 2nd grade and his best friend is Doug, who also happens to be the narrator of this story. Harry, by Doug's own admission, can be pretty horrible, sometimes. He pulls a snake prank on Song Lee, but then goes out of his way to help her overcome stage fright later on when it comes time to put on a Thanksgiving play. He gets into his own fair share of mischief and there is rarely a dull moment with him.

If Harry were a student at our school, he'd definitely get into some trouble. But all in all, his trouble is harmless enough. This is a fun read, especially for lower grade boys.

[May Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better way to reminisce elementary school days than reading this book? While our elementary school may be different on this side of the world, we all know a Horrible Harry. And a Doug. And a Sidney. And a Song Lee. And a teacher like Ms. Mackle. It is sometimes refreshing to read a book from the POV of a second grader and all the more interesting to read a slice of life like stories fro elementary school kids. I read this while spending time in a second hand bookstore and I am happy to find out this is the first book from the series. I will definitely be on the lookout for this one.

[Villain E · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids were very entertained. Some of this is dated, but my kids didn't notice.

The book is narrated by Doug, Harry's best friend. Harry can be mischievous. Some of the other students don't like him. He has a crush on a girl but in manifests in the usual mixed signals of second graders. Harry's pranks don't always work out.

The text is straightforward. The characters are more well-rounded than I was expecting.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally read the first, and am impressed that this relatively weak entry spawned such a long series. I guess kids (and second-grade teachers) really needed Harry, Doug, and Song Lee.

Unfortunately this has a chapter about the First Thanksgiving that feeds all the stereotypes. Teachers and parents, *please* teach the books that are written by Natives about the invasions from Europe.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found several books in this series at the Good Will. This was such a fun read and my children are really enjoying it. The book was well written and interesting. I am excited to read more in the series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hoot. I checked this out because my niece is reading it in her first grade class. I laughed far more than any adult should. Harry’s behavior is often horrible and always hilarious, but there’s a sweet, creative kid hiding under the mischief. Recommended for Junie B. Jones readers.

[Joy Keil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of a large series of fun stories following the antics of Doug, Harry and their friends in Room 2B. 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!

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel there's a "Horrible Harry" in every class.

Read with my 6 year old daughter via audio because that's the only format I could find, but I think this one would have been better via physical copy.

[Nella Eshbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Unique Feature: This book has funny moments and I think maybe people can think of a "Harry" they know.
Grade Level: K through 2nd grade.

[Effie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mentor text for second grade "Journey to Meaning." LT - I can distinguish my own point of view from that of a character.

[Stephanie Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a class read aloud that all the students seemed to enjoy. Pretty quick read and funny too.

[Malinda Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things start out horrible and end up good.