37 pages • 1 hour read
Louise FitzhughA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
In Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, eleven-year-old Harriet Welsch, an aspiring writer and spy, observes and records the lives of people in her Upper East Side neighborhood in a notebook. When her classmates find and read her unflattering observations, she faces isolation and hostility, prompting her to learn about empathy and the power of words to restore her friendships and harmony in her social world.
Reviews of Louise Fitzhugh's Harriet the Spy applaud its compelling portrayal of a young girl's curiosity and struggles, capturing childhood precocity and complex friendships. Though some critique its outdated social perspectives and blunt character interactions, it remains a beloved classic for its wit, emotional depth, and relatable protagonist.
A reader who enjoys Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh is likely a middle-grade student who delights in stories about curiosity, independence, and personal growth. Fans of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary will appreciate Harriet's adventures and relatable challenges.
Recommended
Lexile Level
760LClassic Fiction
Children's Literature
Realistic Fiction
Relationships: Friendship
Life/Time: Childhood & Youth
Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal