Horrible Harry and the Missing Diamond
#30 of 37 in Horrible Harry Series
What’s inside...
When the diamond on Miss Mackle's engagement ring disappears, the kids in Room 3B are determined to help her find it-especially Harry. The third grade talent show is coming up, and he wants to show off his skills as South School's greatest detective. Meanwhile, Doug has no idea what to do for his act. He can't sing like Dexter, or dance like Ida, or solve mysteries like Harry. Now the best friends have to find both Doug's talent and the teacher's diamond, or else the talent show will be a horrible disaster for everyone! Celebrate more than 25 years of Horrible Harry with the 30th book in this beloved classroom chapter book series!
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Horrible Harry to search for the missing diamond?
How did the characters in the book show teamwork or solve problems together?
Can you think of a time when you had to work with others to solve a problem? How did it compare to the story?
What would you do if you were in Harry's place during the discovery of the diamond?
How did the characters change from the beginning of the book to the end?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by sharing similar instances when they faced challenges or worked in a team.
Ask your child to describe their favorite character in the book and why they liked them. This can lead to deeper discussions about character traits and moral choices.
Discuss the importance of honesty and collaboration as shown in the book. Highlight how these values help in real-life situations.
To enhance comprehension, ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story or how the story would have changed if a character made a different decision.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty and Integrity
Explanation: Throughout the story, Harry faces choices that test his honesty, especially when it comes to dealing with the missing diamond. His decisions reflect the importance of being truthful even when it's difficult.
Real-World Application: Children can learn from Harry's example to always tell the truth, even when they may be afraid of the consequences. This helps in building trust with parents and peers.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: Harry uses critical thinking and deductive reasoning to solve the mystery of the missing diamond, demonstrating how effective problem-solving can be achieved through careful analysis and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these skills in everyday situations, like resolving conflicts with friends or tackling challenging school assignments.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Harry learns the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions as he navigates through the mystery, understanding that his actions affect others around him.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of accepting responsibility for their actions and understanding the impact they have on others in their community.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As Harry interacts with different characters who are also affected by the missing diamond, he learns to understand and empathize with their feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate the feelings of others and foster a sense of empathy and compassion in their interactions.