The Children’s Book Review | January 25, 2016
Harriet the Spy
Written by Louise Fitzhugh
Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Yearling (May 8, 2001, Reprint)
ISBN-13: 978-0440416791
What to expect: Reality Fiction, Friendships, Humor
As the title suggests, Harriet M. Welsch likes to spy. She is a precocious and incredibly curious eleven-year-old that aspires to be a writer. Encouraged by her nanny, Ole Golly, to observe people and write about what she sees to master her writing skills, Harriet follows an afternoon “spy-route” and writes down everything she notices about her friends, neighbors, and classmates in a secret notebook. When Harriet learns that Ole Golly is no longer going to be her nanny her life begins to turn upside down—especially when she loses her notebook during a game of tag at school and her classmates find it and discover all of the truthful, matter-of-fact awful things she has written about them. Harriet soon finds herself an outcast. Could the only way to make amends and find happiness be through her writing?
Louise Fitzhugh is a talented writer and she has delivered an extraordinarily real character that kids just love. And even though this book was first published in 1964 it is withstanding the test of time. Harriet the Spy is an incredibly funny book—anyone who has ever felt like an outsider will certainly relate to Harriet. Everyone, even grownups, can learn from her mistakes and bad manners. Yes, this is a must-read book!
Add this book to your collection: Harriet the Spy
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About the Author
Louise Fitzhugh (1928–1974) was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She attended Bard College, studied art in Italy and France, and continued her studies in New York at the Art Students League and at Cooper Union. Her books Harriet the Spy, The Long Secret, and Sport have been acclaimed as milestones of children’s literature. These classics delight readers year after year.
Harriet the Spy, written by Louise Fitzhugh, was reviewed by Bianca Schulze. Discover more books like Harriet the Spy by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Classics, Humor, Louise Fitzhugh, and Spy Books.
