Horrible Harry Says Goodbye
by Suzy Kline
Penguin 2018
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- change and transition
- moving away
- loyalty
- school life
- empathy
- coping with feelings
About this book
On the last days of third grade, Doug learns that his best friend, Horrible Harry, is moving away—and Room 3B won’t be the same. As classmates plan a special surprise for their teacher, Doug must figure out how to handle a big change he didn’t see coming. Warm humor and authentic school moments make this an inviting read for early chapter book fans. It’s a gentle story about friendship, feelings, and finding ways to say goodbye.
Setting: present-day elementary school, Room 3B
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Horrible Harry Says Goodbye right for my child?
Yes — Horrible Harry Says Goodbye is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.2, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include friendship, change and transition, moving away.
How long does it take to read Horrible Harry Says Goodbye?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Horrible Harry Says Goodbye takes around 59m to finish. The book has 7,900 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Horrible Harry Says Goodbye have an AR quiz?
Yes — Horrible Harry Says Goodbye has an AR quiz available, worth 1 point. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Horrible Harry Says Goodbye?
Horrible Harry Says Goodbye has an AR reading level of 3.2, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.