Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered

Drawing on his childhood experiences, Gary Paulsen’s novel for young readers, Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered (1993, 1st edition), contains 12 vignettes chronicling the narrator’s visit to his distant relatives on a farm over one summer. In addition to the culture shock of adjusting to rural life, the book also centers on the narrator’s relationship with his reckless and adventurous country cousin, Harris, and the process of finding acceptance as part of a family. Many events in the novel mirror Paulsen’s own childhood, and the novel is considered a semi-autobiographical memoir. Harris and Me received the South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult Book Award (1997), and the Iowa Teen Award (1997).

Plot Summary

Harris and Me is written in the first person from the perspective of the protagonist, an 11-year-old boy who moves from home to home as the result of neglectful, alcoholic parents. This pattern lands him on the Larson family farm, deep in the wilderness and far from the city he’s accustomed to. A deputy drives him to the farm, dropping him off with a suitcase. The Larson women,

Unlock all 78 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App

+ Printable PDF

+ Literary AI Tools

Unlock Full Library