Harriet the Spy (1964) by Louise FitzhughReading level: Ages 8-12
Sixth-grader Harriet attends school on the New York's Upper East Side along with her two best pals, Sport, the jock (of course!), and Janie, the mad scientist. After school every day, she takes her notebook and proceeds through her spy route. Climbing on milk crates and hoisting herself up dumbwaiters, Harriet observes the rich lady who never gets out of bed, the man with twenty-five cats, and the Italian family who runs a grocery store. She takes brutally honest notes on them all.
Harriet's downfall is that she also writes down her thoughts about people she actually knows. After a game in the park when her notebook is knocked out of her hands and read by her classmates, Harriet's deepest thoughts are revealed.
Harriet is quickly ostracized and all her classmates -- even the Boy With the Purple Socks -- and they all form the Spy Catcher's Club. Even former friends Sport and Janie become members!
After her parents find out what's happened, Harriet receives a final, crushing blow. She can no longer take notes! She is humiliatingly searched by her teacher, her parents, and even the cook every day for a contraband notebook.
Aided by the sage advice of nanny Ole Golly, Harriet is able to get through this difficult period, regain her friends, and get back her notebook privileges. ~ Nancy Matson at www.nancymatson.com/HTHESP.HTM
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