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Summary: A gallant sucess in writing a book about a problem she gets
Review: It was a truely touching story about a sixth grade girl by the name of Harriet M. Welch. One of the points I like in the book are when Harriet is writing her spy notes. She gets in fun trouble while spying. Her friends get mad at her she they read her spy journal. She learns that she tended to take friends for granted. This book has lessons that everyone can use.It's a great book
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Summary: A young girl who wants excitement in her life!
Review: Harriet, a young girl in the changing world of society, is always on the run! But nothing's going to stop her from getting the most of her childhood. Filled with excitement, laughter, pain, and sorrow, Harriet never gives up. She knows what she wants and how to achieve it, and has the time(s) of her life while at it. No matter how old you are/get, no matter sex or personality, Harriet the Spy is a story you are not soon to forget
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Summary: Not generic like many children's books
Review: I notice from reading the reviews on this page that many readers (1) read this book many times and (2) kept a notebook similar to Harriet's. I literally read this book about thirty times and still pick it up once in a while. And I loved having a notebook with all of my opinions, which I seldom expressed out loud. I love this book because it's more real and original. Many books about sixth-grade girls have a character who is always following the rules and is never sad for more than an hour. Harriet, though, has a unique and risky hobby and real feelings. By the way, if you saw the movie, I must tell you that the book has a much darker mood, and Harriet is not cute like the actress is. Despite those two main flaws, the movie actually is pretty accurate with the book. But to get the real flavor of the story, you must read the book
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Summary: A timeless story of creativity, heartbreak and friendship
Review: When I was in the second grade I saw the book "Harriet the Spy" sitting on a shelf in my local library. Even though it was a bit above my reading level, I took it and went home and read it. I instantly fell in love with it and to this day, almost ten years later, I still enjoy picking it up once in a while to remember. It was Harriet's attitude towards life, writing and others that made me fall in love with the book, for she was the kind of person that I wanted to be. I can remember feeling very sad for Harriet when I was younger, because I experienced many of the same issues that she dealt with in the story. "Harriet the Spy" was a book that stayed with me all through my childhood and I know that I will read it to my kids also
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Summary: Harriet the Spy: The Innocence and creativity of our youth.
Review: Upon reading Harriet the Spy, I found myself feeling the same kinds of emotions that I had as an eleven year old. Fitzhugh seems to capture the environment of the pre-teen world, with its insecurities, its need for belonging, and its mountain of creativity. Harriet, with her notebook and her dream of becoming a writer, Is put through terrible trauma at the loss of her Nanny, Ole Golly, and without her lifelong companion, the events that follow are almost impossible to overcome. When her notebook is stolen, and her peers read everything she has written about them, even Harriet's own best friends turn against her. What comes to follow is the solitude that Harriet faces, and worse than solitude, she must face the scorn of all of her classmates. In the end, Harriet learns the value of a few different things. She learns to apologize, and that in some cases, it's okay to lie. And, most importantly, she learns the value of a good friendship.
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Summary: Harriet was a role model for me. And she still is!
Review: Harriet was a good companion since I didn't have that many friends at the time. I read it for Battle of the Books when I was in the fourth grade. She was this kid that you could cling to. She gave me lots of confidence because she wasn't afraid to speak out and be eccentric. I don't think I could have survived the fourth grade. This book is an extremely good one so buy it
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Summary: I memorized entire chapters: "Harriet" is amazing.
Review: My aunt gave "Harriet" to me when I was seven years old. I instantly fell in love. I took the yellowed hardcover with me everywhere. I memorized entire chapters. To this day, it's one of the best books I've ever encountered. It inspired me to keep writing into a stronger place. I was the kid with the notebook when I was little, estranged by my one-time friends, busy with a leaky fountain pen. To love is to truly accept. "Harriet the Spy" continues to amaze me. Truly the best buy for aspiring writers who need a little extra. Loneliness is everywhere in this society, and the vivid descriptions and observations of this eleven year old are so full of advice and wisdom that all ages can benefit with a little understanding. If you have not read this book-- do it. The loss of friends, growing up, being alone, coping are so usual that they don't receive enough attention. This was the book I plunged into when I was depressed. Find room on your bookshelf. This is a real keeper. Harriet is not only a very accurate character, but a loveable and intense young woman. We've all been misunderstood-- this is the path to understanding.
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Summary: A realistic book that teaches children important things
Review: This book has many realistic details describing both happenings and feelings. Each of the people and families Harriet spies on has their own story that makes you think.
You can also think about other people, such as Mrs. Golly, as their behaviour isn't always commented or rated.
I think this book teaches children to accept differences and to dare to be different themselves. Her nurse, Ole Golly tells Harriet that there are lots of ways to live, and
she should find out about them, so that when she grows up, she can live the way she wants instead of the way her family does. This book introduces the readers to some ways. Ole Golly also says that eleven is old enough to start growing up into the person you want to be.
I liked this book because it made me feel I could do anything I wanted to and be really different. I think this might be useful for other children who are too shy or think that they are allowed too little.
I also recommend this book's sequel, The Long Secret, written in the same style. It is about religion, and again--different ways to live. (Of course, both books have good plots, too.)
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Summary: A great, and subversive, book
Review: One of the best books for girls ever written - after reading it I walked around with a notebook for years. In some ways quite subversive - the portrayals of the adults from Harriet's perspective are right on, and devastating. Perhaps the first book to portray adults without sentimentality or false respect. Far superior to the movie, which fails to capture the class nuances in the book
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Summary: Should be on every preteen's reading list!
Review: When I was in 5th grade, this book made the rounds of every girl in the class -- and many of the boys. Recently, after seeing the movie, I was prompted to go back and reread the book. (I cried this time too!) Even after nearly 30 years, very little of it seems dated; the subjects of divorce and social alienation are possibly even more pertinent today. I can also highly recommend this book's sequel, The Long Secret
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