The Kid in the Red Jacket

by Barbara Park

If you thought Junie B. Jones was FUNNY—catch more laughs from New York Times bestselling author Barbara Park with her hilarious middle-grade novels—just right for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and I Funny!
 
Can Howard SURVIVE life without friends?
Howard Jeeter’s parents have ruined his life. They’ve moved him across the country, and all the kids in his new town act like he’s totally invisible. At least, all of them except for his six-year-old neighbor, Molly Vera Thompson. Howard could use a friend. But a little girl who talks nonstop? Not what he had in mind. Still, when you’re really lonely, you’ll be friends with anyone…right?
 
An IRA-CBC Children’s Choice
A Library of Congress Children’s Book of the Year
A Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner
 
* “Park writes in a witty and bittersweet style about the awkward, supersensitive age of early adolescence. Another first-rate addition to the middle-grade popular reading shelf.” — School Library Journal, Starred
 
“[A] witty middle-grade novel.” — Publishers Weekly

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Childrens, Young Adult, Contemporary

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 1987

About the author

Barbara Lynne Park was an American author of children's books.

Reviews

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any kid from ages 9-12 should read this book. It was my first emotional book when I was 9! Wonderful!!!

[ella ☆ any pronouns · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at page 61

[Deb Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was rolling on the ground, laughing through ever page...I loved this one...recomended to everyone who ever had to move...I've read it to my 3rd graders (who didn't laugh as much as I did) and my 5th graders (who laughed MORE than I did)...

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, kid has to move and make new friends... is afraid of becoming the "new kid" or the "wierd kid" he has never been especially nice to. By the author of the Junie B. Jones books. Working well with my 3rd grade group.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a book project for school. I thought the book was ok because it was more a boyish kind of book. If you are an educator this book is a great learning guide because the are many hands on activities to go along with the reading.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for 5th graders. My classes really loved this book!

[Miss Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

GR Level: O

Elementary: FIC PAR

Same author as Junie B. Jones. Really funny story of a really funny boy.

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hahaha! i laugh just THINKING about this book! LOL

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Not surprised at all that my 4th graders like it so much!

[Jennie MC · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood faves, revisited. This book is so funny.

[Dina McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and funny with a very good lesson for kids of all ages.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cute! I read it with my 5th graders.

[Nafi Camara · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. I like this book because I could relate to it. For example, on page 7 it says, “I’m bored and my leg’s hot,” I whined “Also I think I might be getting carsick.” Just like me, when I don’t want to go somewhere I nag about it to make the place sound bad. Also, on page 61 it says on the first day of school no one talked too talked to him except Molly. Also, like me when I first started ST.HOPE nobody talked to me except Gazelle.

2. I would recommend this book to my older cousin Mory because when he first came from Africa. When he first went to school for the first time. He had no friends and he couldn`t speak English. Another reason is that he was very shy and he had a hard time making friends.

3. One challenge that really was hard for me was when I saw the italics and didn’t know what it meant. It said “Relax” and I read on and it said “I thought to myself.” But before I did that I read before it and while reading before I noticed I had to use contexts clues to figure out what it meant.

4. The character I would like to describe is Molly. Molly is a fun, persevering, and, welcoming character. The reason why I describe her as fun is because, Molly always has something to do like play dress up. Also, persevering because even though Howard (the main character) didn’t want to “hang out” with her, she at least tried to be his friend. Finally, Molly is welcoming because she was the one who “showed” Howard around town. If Molly was a real person she would be a great friend.

[Ashley Toscano · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of UMHB's READ3307, I read "The Kid in the Red Jacket." I remember reading this book in 4th grade & loving it. I read it a few years ago again & enjoyed it & appreciated it just the same, but with a different, older perspective. This book was written by Barbara Park, who also authored the Junie B. Jones series. The Kid in the Red Jacket follows a young boy, Howard, as he and his family move to a new town and he's the new kid at his new school. The book is written in 1st person, so the reader gets to experience all of Howard's thoughts and emotions. Howard feels invisible at his new school (none of the kids know his name,), misunderstood by his parents, and annoyed by his rambunctious and persistent 6-year-old neighbor, Molly. Park brilliantly writes in the honest perspective of a child, & this book is not only heart-warming, but hilarious. Kids could easily relate to Howard & his experiences with school, family & friendships. Barbara Park uses humor to describe the awkwardness of the preteen years, making the problems light-hearted & easier to navigate. Although the book was written in the 1980's, the story is universal & still just as easy to relate to for kids reading it today. The protagonist is a 10-year-old, so I think this book would be most appropriate for elementary students: 3rd-6th graders possibly.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Howard Jeeter and his family have moved thousands of miles from Arizona to Massachusetts. Nothing is going quite right for Howard; he misses all his old surroundings and friends in Arizona, the kids at his new school seems to ignore him, and he's constantly pestered by Molly Vera Thompson, the annoying 6-year-old who lives across the street. Will Howard finally adjust to his new home? Will Molly ever leave him alone?

Barbara Park has a real gift for writing to children. I've read her books before with 1st graders (Junie B. Jones) and 4th graders (Skinnybones), and in both cases, they were a hit with the students. Just like those books, The Kid in the Red Jacket is filled with humor that children will truly laugh at, and it is told from a perspective that a child will be able to relate to (with several asides about the confusing things that grown-ups sometimes do). Adults might even have some laughs with this book, especially if they can remember and relate to Howard's fears about moving and the difficulties of getting used to a new home.

[Brooke Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Howard Jetter and I have something in common we both used to live in the country and then we moved to a BIG!! city.As we go along howard lives next to a light red head named sally,Sally gets on howards nerves but they turn out to be the best of friends there is.When howard started middle school he wanted to make new friends and change his apperance.So by changing his apperance he makes some friends that sorta make a gang that bullies the under aged children like sally.SOOOOOOOOOOOO when howard gets the people his friends they start picking on sally and howard joins the tempet but you are going to halfed to read the book to find out more further on...............................................................................But this was a very good book my 5th grade teacher MR>SEELEY read it too me!!!!!!

[Deidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Barbara Park, illustrated by Jim Warren. Published by Random House, Inc., copyright 1987.

Grade level: 4th and up

Ten year old Howard Jeeter has to deal with a lot of changes in his life when his family decides to move from warm Arizona to chilly Massachusettes. As if his life isn't ruined enough, he soon catches the attentions of a six-year old girl from across the street that just won't leave him alone. Howard does need a friend, but this annoying little girl wasn't what he had in mind.

I thought this book was funny, witty, and packed with life-lessons. I think children will really be able to connect with Howard, I did!

Possible themes or units: being the "new kid," tollerance/acceptance of others, empathy and understanding, friendship.

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much emotionally from this book, and also received a substantial amount of personal validation. Everything good about Barbara Park's writing is here—all-time great humor, meaningful literary wisdom, perfect understanding and expression of the inner workings of the human heart—and comes together to make one of the most memorable reading experiences it has ever been my pleasure to have come my way. The Kid in the Red Jacket holds a very special place in my heart, and I adore it. I think back on it all the time, and I don't see that changing soon. Three words—Molly Vera Thompson—are all it takes, ever, to get a smile out of me. I do so love this book.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great example of voice; this book sounds like it could have been dictated by a ten year old boy. As I read it, I kept thinking how sad it was that Barbara Park died last year. I can see why there are teachers who start off the year using this as a read aloud; many points could be made and discussions ensue. I compared this to my feelings when I moved when I was nine. Although I knew I would miss many good friends (and cried several times) I was thrilled to be moving to the state capital! My friends got mad that I was excited about moving.

I liked the counterbalance with the character of Molly, and the way Howard comes to realize she's not all that bad.

[Maggie Mcateer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a real review written by a 7 year old:

This story is about a boy and his family moving from Arizona to Massachusetts. He discovers changes in this book too.

I liked how Howard changed at the end. He started to have compassion to Molly his neighbor.

I really didn't like the part when Pete and Ollie come over to Howard's house, and start to play keep away.

I would recommend this book to friends who like their feelings brought out. I would not recommend this book to friends who don't like to show people what they feel. [Later she explained that the book made her cry, which is why she wrote that last part.]

[Hasun Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hook: You live in Arizona with your dad, mom, and baby brother. You have two best friends Thornsberry and Roger who you love to play soccer with together. And you are living your best life in the last year of elementary school. Life is good. Boom, you're in Massachusetts. You're the new kid. Bc your dad got a promotion and drove you and all your stuff across the country. The last time there was a new kid at your school, no one knew his name and just called him by the color of his shirt. You don't want to be the new kid. But as soon as you move into your new house, a little first-grade girl barges into your house. This little girl with a BIG personality is Molly Vera Thompson. She thinks you're hilarious and that you and her would be great best friends.
Notes: This is Howard's dilemma. Not only is he the new kid, but a little first-grader is following him around everywhere. This is what the second day of school looks like: read pgs. 61-64. Nevertheless, Howard discovers that Molly is a sweet friend and that maybe he needs her as much as she needs him.

[Lindsey Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a great book for new students or even a student that is having a hard time adjusting to the school or with friends. Honestly this book could be read by any student. Barabar Park really took the time addresses what it is like for students to move and have to find new friends. These new kids don't be labeled as the boy in the green shirt or kid in the red jacket. At one point Howard was ok with being the kid in the red jacket, it was better then not being talked to at all. Howard doesn't just have to deal with being new to town, but the his 1st grade neighbor is a pain to him. Howard's mother tries to get him to see that he needs to be her friend. After only one time of him being mean to her to impress his friends, he realizes he needs to be her friend and that he needs her as a friend.

[Angela Breeze · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students always enjoy listening to this story each year, because they find the story engaging, funny, empathetic, and frustrating all at one time. It is a great novel for helping to make new students feel welcomed and to give them someone to relate to who is also the new kid. Students always make sure to welcome new students with open arms because of Howard. Students also get frustrated with Howard's attitude but then enjoy seeing his growth over the novel from a self-centered individual who thinks others are paying a lot more attention to him then they really are to one who has compassion for others needs and feelings. Students and I will refer back to this novel as we work our way through reading units to make connections between the characters and theme in this novel with other text throughout the year.

[Aimee Bisterfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended by a friend/teacher of mine. I had to read it right away and couldn't put it down until I finished. I think this book would be a great read aloud towards the beginning of the school year. It gives great visuals of the different experiences the main character is going through on his move to a new place and start at a new school. This would be great for students who are adjusting to new schools and also for those students who have been there for awhile. With guidance and skilled questioning this can teach empathy towards new students and could be a good lead into a discussion on how to be a welcoming class to new students. Bonus: Barbara Park is an engaging author and the book will keep students wanting to know what is going to happen next.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book went back and forth between 3 and a 4 stars.

The voice sounded very similar to her Junie B Jones series (only with proper spelling), and I think that was part of the problem for me. Howard just didn't feel real. And everything was just slightly over the top. The over the topness, if that is even a word, works well for Junie B., but not as well here. But...I am not really the audience for the book.

I wish Howard would have really learned a lesson. He learned to tolerate Molly. But only very, very reluctantly. The book seemed to play things a little too safe.

[Kayla Worley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Howard Jeeter's parents has ruined his life. They've moved him across the country, and all the kids in his new town act like he's totally invisible. The only person that doen't he's invisible is his 6 year old neighbor Molly. Howard could use a friend but Molly talks non-stop. That's not what he had in mind. Still, when you're really lonely, you'll be friends with anyone right? The intended audience is 3rd-7th grade and 8-11 years old. I selected this book because it's good to not judge a book by it's cover and everyone has there flaws.

[Mark Harwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those familiar with Park's Junie B. Jones series and Skinnybones novels, this book is sort of a mixture of those. The main character is a pre-teen wisecracker who has moved to a new town. A new neighbor is a six-year-old ball of energy who attaches herself to the older boy, much to his chagrin. The story, of course, has a lot to say about loneliness and making new friends, but it isn't preachy. It *is* incredibly funny, even laugh-out-loud funny on occasion (and I'm an adult reviewing this book - I can only imagine how much I would have loved this novel in middle school).

[Emily Tyree · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/10
I was browsing in the library at my school when I just randomly grabbed this off the shelf and started reading it. I got hooked and checked it out so I could finish it. I could’ve finished it that day if I spent even twenty minutes on it but of course it just sat in my backpack for a week before I actually read the rest of it. It was a cute story if a little predictable. Definitely great for an early chapter book. Reminded a bit of the Ramona books that my mom and I read together when I was little.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Park was really able to capture the perspective for a kid this age. You really feel his emotions, even completely understand him, even when he's being (an age appropriate) jerk. It was a really great job.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with my fifth grader and we both loved it. He related to the characters and story so much.