Sunday, March 23, 2014

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh





"My name is Harriet M. Welsch. I used to be a spy."

Or perhaps Harriet, now 61, still is a spy and right now is sitting in a coffee shop sipping on a latte and recording in her notebook the conversation of the couple at the next table and making note of what the man at the counter is wearing.

Harriet, of course, is the creation of author and illustrator Louise Fitzhugh. When the book Harriet the Spy was published fifty years ago, Our Harriet was an 11-year-old girl living and going to school in New York City. Her father had some sort of job in television, her mother played bridge, and they both pretty much left Harriet alone to be raised by the nanny Ole Golly and the cook. 

Harriet spends her afternoons after school going along her spy route and writing down her observations. First there is Dei Santi's grocery, then Harrison Withers and his 26 cats, the Robinsons with a house full of things they like to show people, and Agatha Plumber, a woman who spends her days in bed.

Harriet lives on tomato sandwiches, egg creams, and her afternoon treat of milk and cake. She has her specific spy clothes (jeans and hooded sweatshirt), her notebook, and a tool belt holding her flashlight and extra pens.

She has two best friends: Sport, who tends to his father who spends his days and nights holed up writing the Great American Novel, and Janie, who wants to be a scientist and blow up the world. 

The life of a spy holds certain dangers. Harriet is not above writing about her friends and classmates and this is where she really gets into trouble. Her classmates find her notebook and read about themselves through the eyes of a spy. Harriet is truthful if not always complimentary in her observations. 

Ms. Fitzhugh has created an intelligent, energetic Harriet. She also gives the reader - young or old - a glimpse into different lifestyles of the adults in the story and teaches Harriet a few lessons about life.  

Harriet the Spy is another book I missed reading when I was younger. I wish I had made Harriet's acquaintance sooner. 

12 comments:

  1. I, too, missed reading "Harriet the Spy" when I was younger. When it came out, I was already in high school. I read it about six years after it was published, in a children's literature class in college (I was an elementary education major). Since then, I've re-read "Harriet the Spy" several times, Belle, enjoying it anew each time. With your posting, I may just have to pull it down from the shelf and visit with my favorite spy once more.

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    1. Harriet is a fascinating young girl. I found her mood swings to be hilarious and oh, so, real. I am planning on renting the movie to see how Hollywood handled her story. Have you seen it?

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    2. I have not seen the movie, Belle. I'd be interested in your "take" on the adaptation.

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    3. I have rented the DVD, Penny, and will watch it this week. Stay tuned for my comments on it...

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  2. I haven't read this yet, but I do think I should as there seem to be so many cultural references to it around. It's like missing out!

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    1. I think there has been a resurgence of interest in Harriet due to her 50-year anniversary. There is also a movie which I plan on renting. I would like to see her on the screen while the book is still fresh in my mind.

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  3. I don't think I've read this, either--or at least I don't remember reading it. I think maybe I should have a "read children's books you missed as a child" project!

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    1. Kathy, I think your project of reading books you missed as a child is a great one. I have been trying, over the past five or six years, to do just that.

      Here is a link to a post I wrote recounting my childhood reading misadventures. Maybe we should compare notes.

      http://bellebookandcandle.blogspot.com/2012/06/childhood-reading-history.html

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  4. Somehow I missed Harriet, but I think I would like her. I was a devout Nancy Drew fan and spent a lot of time hanging around old book stores, deserted mansion, and other places I thought looked like they might harbor a mystery.

    By the way, I've started my own blog (http://planetjoan.blogspot.com/), if you think you'd like to know a little more about me. Also, I'm a novice blogger, so adding bells and whistles will take me some time. I consider it a major accomplishment to have posted a photo!

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    1. Oh, yes. Nancy Drew was one of my favorites. She started me on a lifetime of reading mysteries!

      Welcome to the blog world, Joan. I look forward to reading what you are thinking about. And don't worry, I still have trouble getting the layout just right. It takes a bit of experimentation but soon almost all the tricks will be revealed!

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  5. Belle, I am absolutely thrilled that you liked Harriet the Spy. It was one of my favorite books when I was growing up. Yes, we've still got our notebooks, don't we? I haven't written down any conversations, but that sounds like fun.

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    1. Well, Kat, it was your post that sent me to Harriet and her notebooks. Thank you for that. She is a fascinating character. Have you seen the movie version? I plan on renting it soon before I forget what happened in the book!

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