Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Harriet the Spy
Book Review: A Story of a Brat with Very Little Action
Summary: 2 Stars
Here's another book from four decades ago that doesn't hold up well compared to today's superior children's books. I was yearning for way more action. And definitely more wackiness. There are a few wacky and clever happenstances yet I wanted more of that and less of Harriet sitting around thinking, complaining and writing, thinking, writing and complaining. The first half of the book was okay, but after that I lost interest. Harriet was not interesting enough, for me anyway, to care about what happened to her. The pages got harder and harder to turn as the book went on.
This is a work of the early 1960s when many people felt suppressed and angry. That anger, for some, turned into selfishness. This attitude found its way into Harriet. She is a selfish and angry brat. (Whether the author was angry or just commenting on society at the time, I don't know.)
I can only guess that the book's comment on society at the time is what won it the acclaim that it has gotten over the years. For children and adults of 1964, perhaps it was a groundbreaking, gutsy read. But today, it's just a story of an angry, self-centered child that is not very interesting nor exciting to read.
Book Review: A cool mystery book for kids and adults
Summary: 5 Stars
I didn't know this book is old, unless I forgot it, lol, but my siblings and I went to Barnes & Noble and I wanted a mystery book but that didn't have like murders and such hard topics. Something light and fun, and I'm glad I found it. "Harriet the Spy."
This book is a fun and entertaining read. It's original and enjoyable for people of all ages. However, I do recommend parents to read this book first before giving it to a child because this book contains some negativity which could give children bad ideas to use, such as bullying, mimic Harriet's negative writing, etc. As adults, well, no problem because we all know what is right and wrong... and hopefully you do what's right, lol, but this is a good read to pass the time or if you are a book nerd like me. :D
As Levar puts it in "reading rainbow", "You don't have to take my word for it. ;)
Book Review: A fun read for all ages
Summary: 5 Stars
"Harriet The Spy" is my favorite book, and if you read it it will probably become yours, too. Harriet has three true loves in life; her two best friends, spying and writing, and her nanny, Gully. When Gully leaves, everything starts to fall apart from there. Her friends having abandoned her and having been forbidden to spy or write, what does Harriet have left for her? You will find out in this great novel that will keep you flipping through the pages for hours, ending with the message that everything turns out okay in the end.Book Review: A must-read for kids 9-12! Highly enjoyable.
Summary: 4 Stars
As many teachers do, I try to preview and read books before I introduce them into the classroom. This summer I read a slew of books and really enjoyed Harriet the Spy. It was written like nothing I have ever read before. Harriet is a different breed altogether. She is going through great changes in her life and is not even that likable as a person. However, she is very real. Her situations and her explorations are strange, unique and funny. I wish I had read this in the fifth grade! I really think that my students are going to love and enjoy it when I read this book out loud to them this coming school year.
You'll enjoy Harriet's spying escapades, the characters she views and writes in her journal about and her outlook on friends and family. The other characters in the book are equally off-beat, real and hilarious. Harriet the Spy is a masterpiece of children's literature and one to be enjoyed for years to come I hope.
Book Review: A tried and true classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
Boy, the fun one has when they decide to re-read as many books from childhood as possible! The image of this book is forever etched in my brain. It was a present from my grandmother. I remember, at age 8, wondering if I would ever be able to finish such a thick book. I managed and loved it so much that I was delighted to know that there was another Harriet book entitled "The Long Secret" and read that as well.
I went through life from age 8 to the present age of 30 remembering the book "Harriet the Spy" as a book about a girl who lives in New York City who spies on people in the neighborhood and takes notes. I remember her having a nasty edge to her and that everyone got angry with her upon discovering her notebook with her writings. What a difference 22 years makes!
Harriet M. Welsch is the child of socialites who don't appear to be around a great deal. She is usually left in the care of her beloved nanny Ole Golly, a very wise, well-read woman who frequently offers Harriet advice about life and how to behave. Despite her sternness, it is clear how much she cares for Harriet and vice versa. Harriet likes to spend her free time spying on neighbors, taking catty (but often accurate) notes about her observations. Soon, though, Harriet's world as she knows it comes crumbling down. First Ole Golly is let go and then her classmates read her notebook and find out what she REALLY thinks of them. How does Harriet deal with the changes? Well you'll just have to read the book yourself.
As an adult, I seem to be able to read much more into this book than when I read it as an eight-year-old. Now that I actually live in NYC, I *see* children who are a lot like Harriet, whereas the semi-rural Canadian upbringing I experienced as a child was nothing like Manhattan! It is also interesting to note the parallel to Harriet's life with the author's own life. When you read a bio on Louise Fitzhugh, you can see remarkable similarities to her story and that of Harriet. I am now also able to realize why Harriet acts the way that she does and empathize with her.
All in all, it's a very eye-opening experience to re-read favorite books from childhood. I certainly recommend reading Harriet the Spy again!