Henry 3

Henry 3 follows thirteen-year-old Henry on the precipice of major changes in his life. His father's plan to move the family from their small Massachusetts town to an Arizona ranch forces Henry to confront the prospect of leaving behind everything familiar. Henry spends time helping at his father's hardware store while grappling with doubts about where he belongs. His relationships with his family members, particularly his older brother and father, become central to his journey of self-discovery. Life in his small town during the 1950s provides the backdrop as Henry navigates questions of identity and growing up. The hardware store, local school, and town dynamics all play roles in his story. The novel explores universal themes of finding one's place in the world and the tension between family loyalty and individual desires. Through Henry's perspective, readers encounter the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of embracing change.

Readers appreciate the book's exploration of identity and family dynamics through Henry's struggle to define himself beyond being "the third." Several reviews note the authentic portrayal of a 13-year-old's emotions and thoughts. Positive comments focus on: - Realistic family relationships - Engaging writing style for middle-grade readers - Thoughtful handling of growing up themes Common criticisms include: - Slow pacing, especially in the first half - Some dated cultural references - Less compelling than Krumgold's other works One reader noted: "The story meanders at times but captures the confusion of early adolescence perfectly." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (121 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (14 reviews) The limited number of online reviews suggests this book has a smaller readership compared to Krumgold's more popular titles like And Now Miguel and Onion John.

...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold A twelve-year-old shepherd boy in New Mexico struggles with family expectations and his desire to prove himself in the adult world.

The Liberation of Gabriel King by K. L. Going A boy in 1976 Georgia confronts his fears and learns about social injustice while forming a friendship that changes his perspective on life.

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins Multiple characters navigate the complexities of identity and relationships during one transformative summer in a small town.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen A middle school boy becomes involved in protecting endangered owls while adjusting to life in Florida and finding his place in a new community.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt A seventh-grade boy faces family pressures and social changes during the 1967-68 school year while developing an unexpected bond with his teacher through Shakespeare.

🏆 "Henry 3" won the 1968 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, an honor given to books deemed worthy of sitting on the same shelf as "Alice in Wonderland" 🎭 The book explores the complex dynamics of family relationships through the eyes of its 11-year-old protagonist, who struggles with being the third Henry in his family line ✍️ Joseph Krumgold is the first author to win the Newbery Medal twice, for "...And Now Miguel" (1954) and "Onion John" (1960) 🎬 Before writing children's books, Krumgold worked as a Hollywood screenwriter and documentary filmmaker 📚 The novel tackles mature themes like identity and self-worth in a way that resonated with young readers in the 1960s and continues to be relevant today