Harriet the Spy
by Louise Fitzhugh [j]
One of the more controversial characters in children's literature, Harriet isn't particularly nice. Harriet runs through the house, slams doors, and yells at adults. She is opinionated, recording blunt facts about her neighbors but also ridiculing even her friends in her journals. She's also rude. Once she interrupted a family dinner to scream. Harriet is no more of a role model than Greg Heffly of Diary of a Wimpy Kid fame, but remains as popular and as loved. In the light of mostly absent parents, the most stabilizing forces in Harriet's life are Ole Golly, her friends, and her notebook. In the second half of the book, Harriet's life is turned upside down when she loses those stabilizing forces. The dominant way I identify with Harriet is that she wants to be a writer. Harriet's practice of observing people and keeping notes has inspired many an author, including me. -- review submitted by Allison H.-F. - a patron of the Bennett Martin Public Library
Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
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