Warm-hearted story, great narration

I found this to be a sweet, warm-hearted little adventure, perfect for kids and entertaining enough for adults, with a powerful message and a host of colourful characters. The narration by Damien Alameda was spot on and very easy to listen to.
I’m very much hoping this will turn into a series - Harold’s friends and neighbours have only just begun to show their potential - and mum could do with some good news, too, maybe a better job, even a new man? I’m definitely ready for some more Caribbean magic!

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1 person found this helpful

An enjoyable story of growing and maturing.

I enjoyed Harold's experience and courage as he grew into a good friend. Loved the accents.

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A lovely short story

A delightful tale about bullies and being the best you can be. This is a great story for any child who has been bullied.

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Fabulous

I’ve read this now listened to the audiobook and it is fab! Great narrator who really gets the story going. I really do love this tale & its a great gift whether audio, ebook or paperback for the kids in your life!
A good story about bullying & its effects & how to deal or not deal. Kids & adults will adore this boy

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A wonderful book!

I'm a Primary teacher and as such am always on the lookout for great books to share with the youngsters. I listened to this as an audiobook and absolutely loved it.

The narrator is perfect for the story.

There are lots of themes running through the book - bullying, loss, friendship, moving house, single parents etc so it is perfect for discussing issues with slightly older kids. That aside it is just a really well-written and enjoyable story. I will look forward to reading (or listening) to more books by this author.

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How sweet is revenge?

There is no shortage of books about bullying and teaching bullies a lesson; where this book is different is that it recognises that revenge is not necessarily the answer, that there is a fine line between that and becoming a bully yourself.

The books I've previously read (listened to) by Dawn Kopman Whidden were crime novels, so this is an interesting diversion from that, an excellent children's book with a powerful moral. Aimed at age 8 and up,
The central character, Harold is a bit insecure and has to wear thick glasses, without which he is almost blind. He has recently lost his Dad, a navy SEAL, and he and his mother have to leave the forces accommodation and move back to her home town. It's a lot for a young boy to handle and he is very nervous about starting at a new school.
Happily, he makes some great friends at his new school and he settles in well, but there is a small group of bullies who start to notice him. You will have to read the book to find out what happens - or find a youngster to read it to and share the pleasure.

I was listening to the audiobook, and enjoyed the narrator, Damien Alameda, who made an excellent job of all the voices. I also had the opportunity to see the cute illustrations at the start of the chapters in the printed copy, which would be great if this were being read out loud.

This is a book that should find its way on to the shelves of school libraries and be shared by teachers with their classes. It would certainly make for some interesting discussion.

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great story

This is a great short read about a boy called Harold who has had to move with his mum from California to Louisiana as his Army dad has passed a\way and the army have kicked them out of their house. They move back to where his mum used to live and move into an apartment where his mum's old babysitter lives.

The book is a bit slow to start with as it has to build the scenes and show that Harold is getting bullied, but still makes some nice friends. Once the book picks up it is great as you aren't sure how it will end.

Overall it is a good read, which kept me hooked, although more could have been done involving his strange neighbour. Hopefully a sequel will come out with him getting into more adventures.

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not just for teens

Harold dreams of being a hero like his father, a Navy SEAL
laugh so much I really enjoyed the story its not just for teens

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