I've been devouring MG books lately. Have I ever mentioned that I love libraries? That libraries are a wonderful, amazing gift for all? Well, they are. Thanks to the South Orange Public Library, I came home last week with a giant stack of awesome MG from the past 20 years, including Horrid Henry, the debut of Francesca Simon's classic chapter book series from 1994.
Horrid Henry by Francesca SimonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Horrid Henry cover promises "4 laugh out loud stories," but still, I was surprised when I totally LOL-ed at Henry's capers. My favorite of the four is the first story, "Horrid Henry's Perfect Day." It's a fantastic story about what happens when a rotten kid decides to abandon his horrid ways and mimic his perfect brother for a day.
As you can imagine, confusion ensues. Mom, Dad, and Perfect Peter are befuddled by Henry's sudden change of attitude. As the day wears on, Peter can hardly stand it, and eventually he cracks, completing the reversal of roles in a spaghetti-splatting finale that elicited giggles from this reader.
The subject matter of Simon's stories is inherently funny, but it's her masterful prose that makes these book so delightful. She smoothly interjects rhythm and repetition, making the words as fun to read as the story. She adds layers of hilarious and revealing consonance with every proper name. She sneaks in a life lesson or two. And in the end, she delivers sweet and funny stories as timeless as classic fables.
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Author Claire Legrand joins the MMGM fun with an awesome new series called Middle Grade Memories. Click HERE to see librarian Rita Meade discuss a book she loved growing up--with a GIVEAWAY!
I tent to consider Horrid Henry more of an emergent reader title-- actually discussed this today on my MMGM post! If MG goes all the way up to 8th grade, does something like Squish still come in at this level? Glad you are enjoying middle grade books. They are my very favorite!
ReplyDeleteI'll go check your post out!
DeleteI know, HH is really a bit too young to be considered MG. It's in between an "early chapter book" and an easy reader. Some of the sentences are too complex for easy reader, but it's not long enough for chapter book. But, I love it, and I've decided to only review books I love . . . and I didn't love the MG book I picked!
I'll have to aim a little higher with the readership age next time. Thanks for stopping by :)
Yay for Middle Grade! Great post.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to MMGM! I haven't heard about these, and books that make readers laugh are so important. And masterful prose...love that combined with humor.
ReplyDeleteHi there!
DeleteHorrid Henry was so popular in the UK, it was made into a TV show and a film, which blew me away as I'd never heard of the series. My 6yo really loves them.
welcome to the MMGM group! new follower here :)
ReplyDeletei'm a sucker for that cartoonish cover art. looks sweet!
The illustrations by Tony Ross are delightful, inside the book as well. They have just a touch of Roald Dahl, which is what drew me to the books.
DeleteMaybe not true MG, but what fun! I've been trying to think of a good series to recommend for my nephew, and he'd love these.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth!
DeleteThey really are delicious little bites. I'm checking out the rest of the series from the library next week!