Harry the Poisonous Centipede's Big Adventure [Library Binding]

Lynne Reid Banks (Author), Lynne Ross (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up

Suddenly the most awful thing happened.Something tightened around Harry's middle.He almost jumped into the air with fright...Something was holding him.Something was dragging him!Something was lifting him into the air!

When Harry the poisonous centipede's best friend, George, goes missing, Harry decides to find him. Not a good move when there are serious dangers outside his next-tunnel, such as flying swoopers, furry biters, and most terrifying of all -- Hoo-Mins!

When he gets captured by a young Hoo-Min, it's the worst nightmare a centi ever imagined. He finds himself in a glass jar. Around him are other captives-dung beetles, scorpions, a tarantula, and-another centi! Yes, it's George. But how can they escape from their hard-air prisons? And if they do, what terrifying events lie in wait for them before they can find their way back to their safe next-tunnel?

This sequel to the award-winning novel Harry the Poisonous Centipede weaves real facts about mini-beasts with an adventure tale that crackles with tension and humor to the very last page.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

After his earlier big adventures (divulged in Harry the Poisonous Centipede), one would think this young centipede would have had his fill of drama and excitement. But that would be a "not-so," in centi-lingo. Harry (technically, his real, Centipedish name is Hxzltl, but we can call him Harry) and his best friend George (Grnddjl) once again find themselves in a peck of trouble when they are trapped in hard-air prisons by the dreaded Hoo-Mins (who might call these prisons jars). They manage to escape, only to embark on an extended good news/bad news-style adventure that spans landscapes (and seascapes) and involves taunting tarantulas, incredibly annoying marine centipede cousins, and a friendly, former-potential-meal lady dung beetle. Whether bravely biting the heads off a veritable army of soldier ants or crackling forlornly to each other about their homesickness for Harry's mother, Belinda (Bkvlbbchk), Harry and George stick together and stick it out.

With tremendous wit and squirmy thrills, Lynne Reid Banks keeps her Hoo-Min readers on the edge of their seats. Prolific illustrator Tony Ross joins Banks again to portray in exciting black-and-white line drawings the surprising range of centi-emotions--and escapades. What next for Hxzltl and Grnddjl? (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In this second adventure, the titular hero heads to the "No-Top World" to rescue best friend George. The bad news: Harry is captured by a "Not-So-Big Hoo-Min." The good news: the same boy has captured George. The pals cut loose but encounter life-threatening rains and a beasts before making it home. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060293942
• ISBN-13: 978-0060293949
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,300,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynne Reid Banks is a best-selling author for children and adults. Her classic children's novel 'The Indian in the Cupboard' has sold nearly six million copies worldwide. She was born in London in 1929 and worked as an actress, writer and TV news reporter. Lynne has written thirty books: her first, 'The L-Shaped Room', was published in 1960. She now lives in Dorset, where she continues to write. Lynne says that writing for children comes much more easily than writing for adults. Tony Ross was born in London in 1938. He has worked as an art director at an advertising agency, a graphic designer, a cartoonist, a teacher, a film maker and as a Senior Lecturer in Art at Manchester Polytechnic.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bug-style rebellion, September 24, 2002

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Harry the Poisonous Centipede's Big Adventure: Another Story to Make You Squirm (Hardcover)

This sequel about Harry (actually, Hxzltl, in Centipedish) and his friend George again takes the bugs out from down-under (ground, that is), into the forbidden Up-Pipe and the world of the HOO-MINS.

Here, the bug boys are caught in hard-air-prisons (jars), meet a tarantula, learn about rain and discover why it's important (sometimes) to listen to grown-ups.

I wasn't at all amused by their antics, but my opinion doesn't count. My 10-year old critter loves Harry and his friend. He likes animals, loves bugs, and adores rebellious characters. More than once, Harry has kept him up at night, reading under the covers. He's plowed through this book three times in the last month.

Perfect for second, third or fourth grade readers who prefer illustrated chapter books, the 180-page further adventures of a many-footed mischief-maker will delight kids of the same spirit.

--- Alyssa A. Lappen

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story That Will Make You Squirm, May 1, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Harry the Poisonous Centipede's Big Adventure: Another Story to Make You Squirm (Paperback)

Harry the Poisonous Centipede's BIG Adventure.

Author:Lynne Reid Banks.

Harry (actually Hxzlt) and George get caught by a Hoo-Min. They plan an escape but get caught by a flying bird who tries to eat them. Then they get thrown into the sea. They manage to hold on somehow. Will they ever make it back to their home. Find out by reading this amazing book. Go on an adventure with Harry and George, two centipede's that will do anything to get home.

Review by: Frances