Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Horrible Harry #18

Horrible Harry and the Goog

Rate this book
A secret teacher party is happening in the library, but who is the party for? Harry and Doug plan to find out, but when they discover Harry's pet cat, Googer, skulking around their classroom, they have to catch him before anyone else does! They chase The Goog all over school—even into places students (and cats) aren't allowed. Will the boys capture The Goog without being caught themselves? Or will Harry's cat get him into the most horrible trouble ever?

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

8 people are currently reading
168 people want to read

About the author

Suzy Kline

147 books58 followers
Suzy Kline, nee Weaver, was an elementary school teacher for 25 years and most of her books are based on the experiences she had while teaching. Suzy and Rufus got married and had two daughters named Jennifer and Emily. Now, more than 24 years after writing her first book, Suzy has traveled all over the United States helping children learn how to enjoy reading and writing.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
101 (37%)
4 stars
67 (25%)
3 stars
73 (27%)
2 stars
25 (9%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Adrianna.
88 reviews11 followers
April 26, 2016
Elianna's first chapter book, or as she called it-- "my big kid book." She loved it, and I was so proud that she not only sat through a book with chapters and limited images but that she enjoyed a series from my own childhood. Pretty good for a two and a half year old. I used to love this series, and she already checked out more books to read from the Horrible Harry series.
Profile Image for Savani.
641 reviews36 followers
December 23, 2025
Horrible Harry and the Goog is a fun and lighthearted story that adds a surprising new twist to the series: Harry has a pet and it’s a scruffy old cat.

Googer, also known as Goog or Googie, quickly became my favorite part of the book. He’s a one-eyed, scruffy cat with a mind of his own, and I really hope he appears in more stories. Who would’ve thought Horrible Harry would be a cat owner? That alone makes this installment feel fresh and entertaining.

The story takes place during a strange afternoon at school when the library is closed. Harry knows why, his grandmother, Grandma Spooger, is bringing in a cake. While she’s distracted, Harry and Doug discover that Goog has snuck into her truck and is now exploring the school grounds, including the dumpster outside. When a loud noise scares him, Goog takes off, leading Harry and Doug on a chaotic chase through the school hallways.

Things get especially exciting when Goog runs into the teachers’ lounge (a strictly off-limits area for students). Harry and Doug sneak in to rescue him, which adds humor and tension as they try not to get caught. Just when Harry manages to grab Goog, Doug sneezes, sending the cat racing off again, this time into the basement. The chase ends with the help of the custodian, Mr. Beausoleil, who scolds the boys but ultimately helps them safely get Goog into a cage.

The book wraps up with a bit of school gossip when Grandma Spooger reveals that Miss Mackle is getting engaged. Since Harry and Doug spotted three different men around her, they’re left guessing who the lucky person might be, ending the story on a playful and curious note.

Overall, Horrible Harry and the Goog is an enjoyable and humorous read, especially for fans of the series. Googer steals the show with his scruffy charm, and the school setting, mischievous adventure, and gentle humor make this a delightful story for young readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for paige turner ♡.
292 reviews9 followers
January 10, 2019
Harry has an adorable cat that he has named The Goog. I think it's a clever, cute name. It sounds similar to Harry's last name; I feel like that's why his name is Googer. The Goog gets into silly situations that keeps Harry on his toes, so when the Good follows Harry's grandmother to the school, that cute little one-eyed kitty takes Harry and Doug on an adventure to places they are forbidden to go.

I wish I had read them in order because I already knew who Miss. Mackle was going to marry, but it's still a charming and entertaining read.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
13.3k reviews485 followers
September 22, 2021
I like the forwards in these books, in which Kline thanks kids for giving her ideas.
Great series, so heartwarming and funny. As I've said, every potential primary teacher should read at least a few of these... they are short & easy! And though they're not amazing and I seldom give them four stars, even the three star ones are recommended for children and parents.

I do also recommend reading them in order if you can. Sure, they stand alone, but there are arcs, and references to previous episodes, etc.
Profile Image for Amanda Novak.
199 reviews5 followers
Read
April 8, 2022
"It was funny that they chased the cat around the school. I wish I could see teacher places at my school"

It was a cute short chapter book. I remember loving this series when I was younger. Purchased at the Twinsburg Friends of the Library Sale.
Profile Image for Lesley.
354 reviews26 followers
July 21, 2016
I read this with one of the reading groups in a first-grade classroom and I think I enjoyed it more than the students did. We all laughed out loud at so many parts of it - the aerosol can in the bathroom was probably our favorite funny part.

My only complaint is that I wasn't overly happy with the way the pages were set up space-wise. On practically every page, there was at least 1 or 2 words that had to be hyphenated and carried over to the next line and I noticed in our reading group that this caused reading issues for several of the children. They can generally tap out any unknown words but to have the visual confusion of a single word on two lines was something that they definitely struggled with.

But based on the writing and the flow of the story alone, I'm hopeful that we'll read more in the Horrible Harry series!
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book669 followers
June 14, 2013
This is another interesting story in the Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline and Frank Remkiewicz. We've read several of the books in this series and found them to be funny, short, and entertaining.

This book features Harry and Doug chasing Harry's cat, Googer, all over the school. The story is short and entertaining and we really enjoyed reading it together. We will be sure to read more of the books in this series soon.
Profile Image for Kimberli.
144 reviews
November 13, 2007
In Horrible Harry and the Goog, by Suzy Kline, Doug, Harry and his one-eyed cat named "Googer" go on a wild goose chase to find out why the school library is closed. The Goog leads Doug and Harry to the teacher’s lounge, the boiler room, and for one embarrassing moment the girl’s bathroom. Finally, the custodian puts a stop to all of Goog’s mischief and leads the kids back to the library where they discover what the secret is all about. Read this lovable tale to find out what happens to two best friends on their wayward adventure at school.
Profile Image for Ethan.
95 reviews
August 11, 2010
This book is really funny because Horrible Harry calls his cat, "The Goog" or Googie. One time his grandma comes over to his school to give out a cake because one of the teachers is getting married and so Horrible Harry has to wait outside of the doors. The Goog runs away and then he has this huge tour around the school. He even goes in the places that he's not supposed to.
Profile Image for Christy.
Author 17 books67 followers
July 6, 2013
A secret teacher party is happening in the library, but who is the party for? Harry and Doug plan to find out, but when they discover Harry's pet cat, Googer, skulking around their classroom, they have to catch him before anyone else does! They chase The Goog all over school—even into places students (and cats) aren't allowed. Will the boys capture The Goog without being
Profile Image for Marlee.
2,020 reviews
September 9, 2016
My children both really enjoyed this Horrible Harry book. They are hoping that in another book we will find out what was left unknown in this book. My children especially liked that this one was about a cat, though they felt sorry for the Goog. This book was just as short and easy to read as the others we've read in this series. They are simple, yet fun for young children.
Profile Image for Katt Hansen.
3,865 reviews111 followers
August 11, 2012
This has got to be one of my favorite Horrible Harry books. When Harry chases his cat through the school after hours, we get a good look in all the forbidden areas - the Teacher's Lounge and the Boiler Room. A fun story, with a really interesting twist at the end.
Profile Image for Sydney.
1,115 reviews14 followers
November 15, 2013
when the library closes at school an harry and his friend doug get to stay after school they soon know why the library was closed in the
10 reviews
October 18, 2011
It was funny. They even went in the teacher's lounge!
70 reviews
Read
October 20, 2011
I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooed it.
18 reviews
November 24, 2016
This book was fun, I love it so much. I loved the part where Harry thought the rags were a ghost.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews