Harris and Me is a children's novel written by author Gary Paulsen. It was first published in 1993. The book is composed of a collection of vignettes with a subheading to preview each chapter. Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association listed the book as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children."[1]

Harris and Me
Harris and Me first edition cover
AuthorGary Paulsen
Cover artistWendell Minor
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarcourt Children's Books
Publication date
October 29, 1993
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages168 pp (first edition)
ISBN978-0-15-292877-3
OCLC28067113
813/.54 20
LC ClassPS3566.A834 H37 1993

Plot summary edit

Characters edit

  • The "Me" of the title is an eleven-year-old boy who narrates the story. Since "Harris and Me" is a memoir of Gary Paulsen's childhood, The "Me" is Gary Paulsen, Or at least in his point of view.
  • Harris Larson: A hyperactive nine-year-old boy who loves kinetic adventures.
  • Knute Larson: Harris's father, a coffee-guzzling farmer who almost never speaks.
  • Louie: A farmhand on the Larson's place, who sleeps above the barn. He has no teeth and swallows his food without chewing. He also has a hobby of making small wooden sculptures, including a wooden hand sized bust of the main character in the memoir.
  • Glennis Larson: Harris's older sister, who repeatedly slaps Harris for swearing, which happens numerous times a day.
  • Clair Larson: Harris's mother, the cook of the family.
  • Buzzer: A lynx who was found and raised by Louie as a pet.
  • Ernie: An extremely aggressive rooster
  • Vivian: A big cow who doesn't like to be touched or milked.
  • Bill and Bob: The Huge Horses

Note: This is a memoir of a summer in the life of Gary Paulsen. It is said that he never went back to visit Harris.

Motifs edit

References edit

  1. ^ National Education Association (2007). "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children". Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2012.