Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. There is no electricity in it. (Chapter 1)

2. Louie (Chapter 2)

3. He throws up. (Chapter 2)

4. Vivian the cow (Chapters 2-3)

Short Answer

1. He shifts from house to house, as his parents both suffer from alcoholism and often are not able to take care of him. The Larsons are distant cousins. (Chapter 1)

2. Ernie is Harris’s sworn enemy, and when they meet, they wrestle and attack one another. (Chapter 3)

3. The family works together to turn the separator and make milk and cream by each taking turns and doing their part. (Chapter 3)

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. The pigs (Chapter 4)

2. From Louie when he was discussing the war (Chapter 4)

3. The family’s pet lynx (Chapter 5)

4. Tarzan (Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. When Harris has an idea to jump on the pigs and ride them, the protagonist decides he will follow Harris no matter what, and the two are instantly bonded as best friends. (Chapter 4)

2. The family mows the field together, and Harris is excited to catch mice because Louie will pay for them. (Chapter 5)

3. Louie uses the mice to make coats for his miniature figures that he carves out of wood. The protagonist admires his creations and goes to look at them often. (Chapter 6)

Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. Orange pop (Chapter 7)

2. Gene Autry (Chapter 7)

3. Bill bucks him off and sends him flying. (Chapter 8)

4. The protagonist (Chapter 9)

Short Answer

1. Harris is kicked by the bull and falls unconscious while the family wonders if he is dead. He ends up being unable to work for several days. (Chapter 9)

2. The city turns out to be a couple of small buildings rather than an actual city. (Chapter 7)

3. Harris is inspired to ride Bill by the Gene Autry movie. This indicates that Harris is still very young and does not understand that he should not try to imitate everything he sees in movies. It also shows that he is risky and daring, as well as calculating. (Chapter 8)

Chapters 10-12

Reading Check

1. Elaine (Chapter 10)

2. A motor from the washing machine (Chapter 11)

3. Cob Wars/G.I. Joe (Chapter 12)

4. The pictures are inappropriate. (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1. Harris tells Elaine, the protagonist’s crush, that the protagonist is “slow,” embarrassing him. The protagonist takes revenge by daring Harris to pee on an electrical fence, and Harris ends up electrocuting himself. (Chapters 10-11)

2. The protagonist feels sorrowful as he leaves the Larson farm because he finally feels as though he belongs somewhere. He wonders if he will see them again. (Chapter 12)

3. Knute shows that he is sad by disappearing from sight when the protagonist has to leave. This demonstrates that Knute finds it difficult to show his emotions and cares about the protagonist deeply. (Chapter 12)