Review of eBook

Fourth grader Henry Horkeminder hates everything about school, especially seventh grader Duncan Myers who delights in making Henry’s life as miserable as possible. Unusually tall for his age, six-foot six-inch Henry isn’t like anyone else . . . and all he wants is to fit in with the other students.

One day Henry cuts his big, puffy hair, hoping his new look will help him make friends. But everyone is in the auditorium, listening to the mayor and the police warn the students about an ogre-beast. And, sadly, Henry discovers that his new haircut wasn't the secret to making friends after all.

And then an ogre-beast lumbers onto the school playground.

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This enchanting children’s chapter book addresses some serious issues facing children: having a poor opinion of yourself, being accepted by others, fitting in, bullying, being different. Young readers will easily relate to Henry and his problems.

Henry's solution --- going outside to talk to the ogre-beast --- helps the young reader discover that being different isn’t a bad thing and encourages them to look at their own differences in a new way. Young readers [and adults] are sure to find much to appreciate in this book that champions both courage and kindness.

Young readers will enjoy seeing the way Henry learns to accept himself as the story unfolds. When Duncan continues his bullying ways after Henry has spoken with the ogre-beast, the action of the other students is heartwarming.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. ( )

There’s an Ogre-Beast in the Playground by Christopher Francis
I loved this upper elementary grade book. Being different is tough. It is even tougher when someone is there to always point out those differences and make fun of you. Henry is that boy. He is a six foot tall fourth grader with red hair. Everyone, including the teachers bully him in some way. He doesn’t like being different. It isn’t until an ogre-monster comes to the school that Henry realizes that sometimes being different is okay. ( )