School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-- Harry's hiccups cause all kinds of problems in his first-grade classroom, and finally, indirectly, cause the fire alarm to go off. The natural humor of hiccups in school is pushed to extremes and falls flat, while the fact that Harry's teacher thinks he is hiccupping on purpose is troubling. As part of a series designed to attract ``children who are just beginning to enjoy reading,'' the text is minimal--just two to six sentences per page. There are several cartoonlike drawings on each page; they are descriptive, but hardly distinguished. It's a mediocre effort with forced humor and slight plot development that most children won't find particularly funny. Stick with the many other better written school stories. --Carolyn Jenks, Oyster River Elementary School, Durham, NH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
This silly book tells of the dilemma of a hiccup victim who, while doing a handstand, sets off the fire alarm in his school. A feeble effort for the reluctant reader. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 1-3. Kids just beginning to read and older, reluctant readers will find this book funny. Harry gets the hiccups and before he can get rid of them, the entire school is in an uproar. Only when Ms. Cadett, a sympathetic principal, takes him in hand do the irritating disruptions finally end. Children will empathize with Harry's plight and be amused by all the antics. Powling's British import crosses the Atlantic well and is styled like the Speedsters series, with drawings and conversational balloons interspersed with the text. --Barbara Elleman
