Harriet the Spy

Module 1, SLIS 5420

Summary

Eleven-year-old Harriet keeps a journal of her important thoughts, especially those about her fellow students and the people she "spies" on in the neighborhood. This was encouraged by her nurse, Ole Golly. Then Ole Golly leaves to get married and Harriet's world begins to unravel. Her relationships with friends, fellow students, and even her parents begin to change. Is it just her or is everyone she knows out to get her? Harriet must examine herself and those around her to adjust those relationships and find her proper place in the world.

Bibliographic Information

Fitzhugh, Louise. Harriet the Spy. Delacorte Press, 1992. ISBN: 0-385-32783-8

My Thoughts

Much of what Harriet writes in her journal about her friends and fellow students is crude, self-centered, and angst-ridden. The observations she makes about the persons on her spy route are rather different, and eventually give her some insight into human behavior. I would not consider Harriet a role model, given her need to spy and report on others, but she does learn some interesting things about herself and the people around her through her activities and their consequences.

Reviews

Gr 3-5. Harriet is determined to become a famous author. In the meantime, she practices by following a regular spy route each day and writing down everything she sees in her secret notebook. Her lif is turned upside down when her classmates find her notebook and read it aloud!
Fitzhugh, Louise. School Library Journal. August 1, 1999.

Awards

Sequoyah Book Award
New York Times Outstanding Book Award

Suggestions for Use in Library

This book could be used as a cautionary tale for readers that are rather blunt-spoken with their peers, showing the possible consequences of such behavior.

Another possible use for this book is to inspire readers to find something they are good at and put it to constructive use.