Henry And Beezus

“‘Gangway, everybody!’ It was Scooter’s voice. Leaning over his handlebars and pumping as hard as he could, he tore down the street behind the three dogs. He passed Henry and Robert and, swerving to avoid the dogs, caught up with Ribsy. He didn’t stop for the curb, but rode right over it with a tremendous bump. Then he flung himself off the bicycle and on top of Ribsy before the dog knew what was happening.”

Scooter’s heroics stop Ribsy from running away with the Grumbies’ barbecue meat and getting into a dogfight. This passage shows how Scooter’s bike allows him to be more independent, grown-up, and mobile than the other kids, adding to the bike’s symbolic nature in the story (See: Symbols & Motifs).

“Ribsy dropped the meat and Scooter snatched it. He sprang on his bicycle, wheeled around in the middle of the street, and started back towards the Grumbies’ house, holding the meat above his head with one hand. The three other dogs and Ribsy all chased after Scooter, barking and growling as they jumped up and tried to snap at the meat. Eluding them all, Scooter pedaled triumphantly down Klickitat street.”

Using the speed of his bike and his own ingenuity, Scooter is able to wrestle the meat away from Ribsy and return it to the Grumbies. This funny action scene also adds excitement to the story and solidifies Scooter as a cool and capable character whom Henry envies.

“‘It sure was a good thing I caught that dog of yours when I did!’ boasted Scooter. Henry glared. ‘You think you’re smart, don’t you!’ ‘Well, somebody had to stop him.’ Scooter threw his leg across his bicycle. ‘You just wait till I get my bike,’ said Henry […] ‘And it’s going to be a better bike than yours. You just wait and see.’”

Henry’s humiliation at Ribsy’s escapades prompts him to make a plan and begin saving for his own bike, and his competitive relationship with Scooter motivates him to achieve his goal. Henry’s competitive relationship with Scooter adds to the stakes in the story, reflecting The Dynamics of Friendship and Community: Henry enjoys the boy’s company but also feels a sense of rivalry with him.

“Henry saw that this was a situation that must be handled carefully. ‘I’ll give you a piece of bubble gum.’ He blew a bubble for her to admire. ‘OK,’ agreed Beezus. ‘Give it to me and I’ll get the wagon.’ Henry knew she had him there. He hadn’t put any loose gum in his pockets. He should have known better than to ask a favor of a girl, anyway. ‘I’ll give it to you when I get back,’ he said. Beezus was firm. ‘Not unless I go, too.’”

Beezus is a firm negotiator and manages to join Henry’s adventure in claiming the abandoned boxes of bubble gum. Beezus’s insistence on joining Henry shows how she wants to be included in his plans and enjoys spending time with him. Henry’s fumbling attempts to avoid Beezus add humor to the story as well as irony—though Henry initially does not like Beezus very much, she often tries to help him. This passage adds to the story’s theme on The Power of Creative Problem-Solving, as both Henry and Beezus must use their creativity to get what they want.

“The bike was too large for him, and he teetered from one side of the walk to the other before he got started. Then Henry began to enjoy himself. This was the life! And if Scooter let him ride around the block for one piece of gum, there was no telling what he could get with the rest of the gum.”

Henry enjoys borrowing Scooter’s bike while planning how he will make the most of his boxes of bubble gum. His quick thinking adds to the story’s theme of The Importance of Resourcefulness and Independence as he plans to earn money by selling the gum to his classmates.

“The next day, Henry left even earlier and took another box of gum to school. He found business more complicated, because he not only had to sell gum and write down the names of the boys and girls who would bring him their money the next day, he had to cross off in his comic book the names of those who had remembered to bring the pennies they owed him. He was glad when Beezus arrived and helped him keep the transactions straight.”

Henry learns accounting on the go during his entrepreneurial venture selling bubble gum to kids at school. This passage supports the story’s theme of The Importance of Resourcefulness and Independence, as Henry must figure out his business on his own to save for a bike. It also adds to the friendship between Henry and Beezus, showing that Beezus is the more organized and authoritative of the two friends and that Henry relies on her for this reason.

“When Beezus and her little sister came to the door, Henry stared at Ramona. ‘Jeepers!’ he exclaimed. ‘What happened to her?’ Almost all the hair was cut off the left side of her head. The right side was jagged. ‘Doesn’t she look awful?’ asked Beezus. ‘After mother cut the gum out of her hair, she got hold of the scissors and cut it herself. She says she wants to be bald like our uncle Jack.’”

This humorous scene reveals one of the consequences of Henry’s amateur gum business. This passage adds to the story’s theme of The Dynamics of Friendship and Community, as Henry continues to deepen his friendship with Beezus and, by extension, her little sister, Ramona.

“‘Aw, you’re not old enough […] You don’t have a bike,’ said Scooter, ‘And I could only pay a dollar.’ ‘I could walk,’ said Henry. ‘And it’s all right about the dollar too.’ He wouldn’t admit it to Scooter, but he thought a dollar would be a lot of money to add to his bike fund all at once.”

Henry’s relationship with Scooter continues to dance between friendship and rivalry, adding to the book’s theme of The Dynamics of Friendship and Community. This passage also adds depth to Henry’s character, showing his hardworking nature and continued determination to earn enough money for a bike, even if it means begging his rival for a chance.

“Henry scowled at Ribsy, who looked puzzled because he hadn’t been praised for retrieving all those papers. Henry knew he had to think of something, and fast, too. Then he remembered that Klickitat Street was the beginning of Scooter’s route, and because it was so early, Scooter was probably still delivering papers.”

Henry has to think quickly when his dog, Ribsy, messes up Scooter’s newspaper route. This misadventure adds to the book’s theme of The Power of Creative Problem-Solving, as Henry decides to secretly put the papers back on Scooter’s doorstep.

“He had to think of something fast if he didn’t want to lose a dollar from his bike fund. ‘I’ll tell you what, Scooter. You make me a list of your customers and I’ll deliver the papers tomorrow night free of charge. And if I do it right and Ribsy doesn’t take any, I get to deliver the papers while you’re gone. How about it?’ Henry waited anxiously for Scooter’s answer. ‘That’s fair,’ said Beezus. Scooter scowled and thought over Henry’s offer.”

Henry makes a panicked offer to Scooter, who is angry about Ribsy’s misbehavior with his newspapers. Beezus’s supportive attitude shows her interest in being friends with Henry, who often needs her help. This passage shows Henry’s earnest attitude to work and his commitment to earning money, advancing the story’s plot and its theme of The Importance of Independence and Resourcefulness.

“‘I guess I did a pretty good job delivering papers,’ bragged Henry. ‘You won’t get any complaints tonight.’ ‘That’s right,’ agreed Beezus. ‘I checked every address on the list with him just to make sure.’”

Henry and Beezus triumphantly tell Scooter that they have successfully done his paper route as planned. This passage adds detail to Henry’s friendship with Beezus by revealing that she enjoys acting like a big sister to him. Henry is also figuring out how to negotiate with Scooter and complete the paper route so that he can earn some more money, which shows him once again adapting his plans to achieve his goal.

“‘Aw, mom,’ said Henry, ‘why did you have to go and say they could come with me? I don’t want to drag a couple girls around all morning.’ ‘Now Henry,’ said his mother firmly, ‘Beezus was nice enough to come and tell you about the auction, and it won’t hurt you to let her go with you.’ ‘Oh, all right,’ muttered Henry.”

Henry resents his mother for inviting Beezus and Ramona to join him at the bike auction. Even though Beezus often helps Henry, Henry does not like socializing with girls. This quotation shows Henry’s immaturity and desire to appear grown-up. Henry’s complicated friendship with Beezus adds nuance to the book’s theme of The Dynamics of Friendship and Community.

“‘Wow!’ exclaimed Henry, when they finally turned a corner and came to the Glenwood police station. The steps of the building swarmed with children. The driveway beside the station was crammed with boys and girls, and grown-ups, and dogs, too. Other children perched on the fence between the driveway and the apartment house on the other side. More children were getting out of the cars that jammed the streets.”

The author describes the frenzied scene at the police station bike auction (See: Symbols & Motifs). This passage creates suspense by raising the question of whether Henry will be able to fight through the crowds and bid on a bike. It also adds to the book’s theme of The Importance of Independence and Resourcefulness by showing that Henry bravely navigates the auction on his own without the help of an adult.

“‘Did you never hear that it is against the law to tie anything to a parking meter?’ the first officer finally asked. So that was it! ‘No, sir,’ said Henry politely. ‘I just tied him with a thin piece of twine. It wasn’t a big rope or anything.’ Chuckling, the policeman put the ticket in his pocket and patted Ribsy’s head.”

Henry asks a police officer for advice about Ribsy’s “parking ticket” and realizes that he cannot tie him up to parking meters. This scene adds to the book’s lighthearted tone and shows Henry’s innocence and naivety. It also bolsters the story’s theme of The Power of Creative Problem-Solving, as Henry has to quickly sort out his ticket so that he knows how much he can spend at the auction.

“Beezus grabbed her little sister by the hand. ‘Ramona Geraldine Quimby,’ she snapped, ‘you’re coming with us and you’re going to behave yourself!’ ‘Yes,’ agreed Henry, ‘I’m pretty tired of being pushed around by a little kid like you.’ Beezus glared at her sister. ‘And if you don’t behave I’ll…I’ll tell mother about the time you waited until she went to the store and then tried to give the cat a bath in the Bendix. Then you’ll be sorry!’”

Henry and Beezus scold Ramona for being so disruptive at the auction. This humorous scene shows how Beezus uses her authority as an older sister to keep Ramona in line so that they can stay to support Henry’s goal of finding a bike. By showing how the kids try to solve problems among themselves, this passage adds to the theme of The Dynamics of Friendship and Community.

“‘Where can she be?’ Beezus was frantic. ‘Maybe she’s kidnapped.’ Jeepers, thought Henry. I hope she isn’t going to cry. He had enough troubles without Beezus crying all over the place. He knew Ramona couldn’t be far away, and he was sure no one would ever kidnap her. Especially not if they knew her.”

Beezus’s panic over Ramona’s disappearance at the auction shows her love for her little sister, as well as her sense of responsibility for looking after her. Henry’s humorous inner thoughts show his own private feelings about Ramona, whom he considers a nuisance. Nevertheless, Henry helps Beezus find her sister, which shows that he knows how to reciprocate in his friendships.

“Beezus, who was holding a place in the line of people paying for bicycles, looked pleased and excited. ‘Henry, I got you a real good one with wheels and handlebars and everything. It’s in that pile. I had the man write your name on the tag.’”

Beezus shares the good news with Henry about her successful bid for his bike. Her excitement at her success shows that she cares about Henry and is happy to have helped him, yet her vague and amusing promise of “wheels and handlebars and everything” hints that the bike may not necessarily be exactly what Henry would have wished for.

“‘There’ll be something wrong with it. You just wait and see,’ said Scooter. ‘There will not,’ said Beezus. ‘At least not anything important.’ The officer finally untangled Henry’s bicycle from the rest of the pile. Scooter and Robert began to howl with laughter. Henry groaned. What else could you expect when you went to an auction with a girl? The bicycle had two wheels and handlebars all right, but there was something else wrong with it. It was a girl’s bicycle.”

Henry is devastated to learn that Beezus purchased a girl’s bike for him at the auction. This misadventure shows the competitive attitude that Henry feels toward the boys in his neighborhood, particularly Scooter. Henry’s desire for his bike to be an expression of his masculinity adds humor to the passage, as he cannot believe his bad luck to have bought a girl’s bike. Henry now has a new problem to confront.

“After lunch Henry made a quick trip to the Rose City Bike and Trike Shop. His mother had given him the money for the twenty two new spokes he needed […] as Henry left the shop, he could not help noticing a shiny new bike with a racy red frame and a built-in headlight. If only his bicycle looked like that!”

Henry longs for the beautiful red bike in the shop window. This passage foreshadows the end of the story, in which Henry finally buys the “shiny new bike” when his used bike does not work. By describing Henry’s dream bicycle, the author once again raises the stakes for him.

“‘Hi!’ said Henry. He wondered what Scooter, who knew a lot about bicycles, would say. Scooter laughed. ‘What have you got that old broom handle tied to the frame for?’ Henry, who was beginning to feel sensitive about the broom handle, went on pumping. Scooter walked around the bike and studied it carefully. He tried the bell, which pinged feebly. He wiggled the seat and examined the chain. There was no doubt about it. Scooter was an expert on bicycles.”

Scooter examines Henry’s used bike from the police auction. Henry is embarrassed that he has tried to convert the girl’s bike into a boy’s bike using a broom handle. This scene demonstrates Henry’s continued rivalry with Scooter, whom he envies and admires. Scooter’s expertise on bicycles confirms his status as an older and more independent boy.

“‘Are you still going to ride it in the parade?’ asked Scooter. ‘No,’ said Henry coldly. He wheeled his bike into the garage, came out, and closed the doors. ‘I hope you’re satisfied Scooter McCarthy,’ he said crossly.”

Henry’s disappointment in his used bike from the auction layers another problem into the story. This passage affirms Henry’s rivalry with Scooter, as Henry continues to resent Scooter even as he offers to help Henry improve his bike. By emphasizing the tension between neighbors Henry and Scooter, this passage adds to the story’s theme of The Dynamics of Friendship and Community.

“They were going the long way past the Rose City Bike and Trike Shop so Henry could look at what he had come to think of as his bicycle—the one with the racy red frame and the built-in headlight. The only thing wrong with it was the price—fifty-nine dollars and ninety-five cents. It was exactly what Henry wanted, and he looked at it every time he had a chance.”

In this passage, Henry covets the new bike in the shop window. This passage reminds the reader of Henry’s new dream, foreshadowing the happy ending to the story in which he gets to buy the new bike.

“‘Henry Huggins, it gives me great pleasure to present you with fifty dollars’ worth of work at the Colossal Market’s own Beauty Shoppe!’ Henry’s mouth dropped open and he felt his ears turn red. The crowd was a blur of pink faces in front of him, and laughter roared in his ears.”

Henry is horrified when he wins an expensive—but unwanted—prize at the mall opening. Like many of Henry’s misadventures, this adds humor to the story while also creating an unexpected plot twist, once again invoking The Power of Creative Problem-Solving.