Fitzhugh,
Louise. Harriet the Spy. Yearling
Books, New York, 1964. 300 pages. Tr.
Pbk. $6.50 ISBN 0440416795
Plot
Description:
Eleven year old Harriet likes routine, playing with
her best friends Janie and Sport, spying on her neighbors, and writing in her
notebook. The only person who
understands about Harriet’s notebook is her nurse Ole Golly who told Harriet
that if she wants to be a writer she should start now by writing as much as she
can. Harriet is blatantly honest in what
she writes in her notebook, but when her friends and classmates read what she
has written about them they are not appreciative of Harriet’s honesty. Besides having her friends angry with her,
Harriet also has to deal with the fact that Ole Golly has left to go get
married and is no longer there to help guide and advise Harriet. With a little help from her parents, her
teacher, and a strongly worded letter from Ole Golly, Harriet turns her
situation around and learns a valuable lesson about friendship.
Review:
Harriet is a honest, spunky, and intelligent
character. Tweens will relate to
Harriets struggles to communicate and get along with her parents. They will also sympathize with her friendship
troubles, being at an age when friend are particularly important support as
tween are beginning to develop their own identities. Harriet is blatantly honest and a keen
observer of those around her, however she learns the hard way that not everyone
appreciates brutal honesty. At first I
didn’t think Harriet learned a lesson, but after further thought I think
Harriet learned that sometimes she has to apologize and choose her words
carefully, but at the same time she refused to give into peer pressure and
change herself to be accepted.
Classic
Realistic Contemporary
Reading
Level/Interest Level:
Grades 4-6
Similar
Books:
Liar
& Spy by Rebecca Stead
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