Harold's Tail [Hardcover]

John Bemelmans Marciano (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Harold is a squirrel living a happy if sheltered life in his park on New York City's Upper West Side. But when a streetwise rat persuades him to take part in an experiment, Harold suddenly finds himself without his tail fur-and without a home. Mistaken for a rat and forced out on the unfamiliar streets of New York, Harold encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, including a neurotic pigeon, a vain cat, and a tribe of hostile squirrels. But it's not until Harold discovers allies in an unusual trio of rodents that his adventures really begin. . . . By turns funny, poignant, and suspenseful, Harold's Tail will appeal to fans of Stuart Little and The Cricket in Times Square as it celebrates the courage of an unexpected hero and the resilient power of friendship.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Harold, a squirrel, lives in a New York City park, tours the area daily, and samples nuts offered by his human friends. Life is good until a rat suggests that it is only Harold's bushy tail that separates him from the lowly and loathed rat world. To test this hypothesis, Harold agrees to having his tail shaved. The rodents break into a barbershop, the rat glues Harold's tail fur onto his own spindly tail, and the two trade places. Sure enough, Harold is treated cruelly by his former benefactors and chased out of a nearby park by haughty squirrels. He finally finds shelter in a cellar with other outcast but friendly rats. By the story's conclusion, the counterfeit squirrel gets his comeuppance, Harold's fur has grown back, and he's made new friends. Frequent black-and-white line drawings move the tale along. Children may have a difficult time getting by the believability factor and caring about Harold and his predicament. George Selden's Cricket in Times Square (Farrar, 1960) tells a better friendship story and E. B. White's Stuart Little (HarperCollins, 1945) is a more compelling adventure.
Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. Gone are Harold the Squirrel's cushy, nut-feasting days in Manhattan Island (a real park on Manhattan's west side) after a conniving rat talks him into shaving the fur off his tail. Now, because he looks like a common rat, he's forced to hit the streets, where he hooks up with an unusual trio of rats, learns how to sleep during the day, scavenge for food at night, and escape unleashed dogs. Harold also discovers that the only difference between food and garbage is a matter of opinion. Told in first-person, often in a rather adult-sounding voice, this clever, urban animal survival tale is New York-centric in a fun way: the places are real and the observations ("New Yorkers are always late to parties and never pay attention") ring true. Black-and-white drawings add zest to the entertaining satire about humans in fur, which has read-aloud potential. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; Second Printing edition (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670036609
• ISBN-13: 978-0670036608
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,470,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Bemelmans Marciano is the grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans, author of the original Madeline books. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and entertaining for Parents and Children, October 16, 2003

By 

Lew (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harold's Tail (Hardcover)

My son(8 years old) and I just got this book recently.
It is a great book to read together with your children.
Very funny and cute! You'll never look at a squirrel the same way after reading this book.
What are you waiting for, just go buy it! You will not be disappointed!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shannon's Review of Harold's Tail, October 6, 2004

By 

Shannon Butcher "Review" (Harrodsburg, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harold's Tail (Hardcover)

Harold's Tail is an adorable "tale" of a friendly little squirrel who loses his naivety within the harsh streets of New York City. Marciano uses rich language and vivid details which children can relate. This book teaches moral lessons having to do with peer pressure and treating others equally. Teachers can easily use this book as a springboard to teach and discuss these morals with students. Students will find humor in some of the antics in which Harold is involved. Students will also empathize with him. This book is a great read-aloud!

4.0 out of 5 stars The hairless tail, November 29, 2007

By 

Student From Mrs. Williams' Class (Lake Tapps, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harold's Tail (Hardcover)

Will Harold survive with out food, warmth or his tail and try to live with rats? Find out in the book Harold's Tail by John bendmans Marciano.

Harold was sitting up in his tree then someone was like a rat in the grass. The next day the rat came up the tree and told Harold to come to a hair cutter's place. The rat wanted Harold's tail hair for himself so he could get macadamia nuts for himself.

My favorite part in this story was when Harold had his tail examined by a rat at black rock.

I think the author's purpose was to try to make the best of life. For example the little charters had barely any food and had to eat garbage.

I Recommend this book because it is a easy comprehend chin book and for early readers. I rate this book 4 stars

by jerimyah