Harriet the Spy (TV Tie-In Edition)

By: Louise Fitzhugh

Narrated by: Anne Bobby

Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Features an exclusive bonus interview with the Apple TV+ animated series stars, Golden Globe nominee Beanie Feldstein (the voice of Harriet) and Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (the voice of Ole Golly).

Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together?

"What the novel showed me as a child is that words have the power to hurt, but they can also heal, and that it’s much better in the long run to use this power for good than for evil." (New York Times best-selling author Meg Cabot)

©1992 Lois Anne Morhead; 1964 Louise Fitzhugh (P)2000 Listening Library, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A tour de force, Harriet the Spy bursts with life." (School Library Journal)
 

"A brilliantly written, unsparingly realistic story, a superb portrait of an extraordinary child." (Chicago Tribune)

"Finding Harriet as a young writer in the mid 1960s was inspiring. It meant I wasn’t the only one who wanted to tell stories about kids who were real." (Judy Blume) 

“I don’t know of a better novel...that made more readers of my generation want to become fiction writers. I love the story of Harriet so much I feel as if I lived it.” (Jonathan Franzen, author of Freedom and The Corrections) 

Not just for girls

I read Harriet the Spy when I was a girl, and I loved it, but I was worried whether my two active and ALL-boy sons (ages 7 and 8) would enjoy hearing a story with a female protagonist. I shouldn't have worried. They have been mesmerized by Harriet's exploits, and we've had lots of discussions about how Harriet got into the mess she's in, and how she should get out. The narrator is excellent, bringing the vast array of characters to life. I highly recommend this for boys and girls alike!

Listen to the sample

Before purchasing, be sure you listen to a sample. The narrator is very enthusiastic, something that no doubt helps engage child listeners, but may be grating after only a few minutes for the adult reader. If you don't like her intonation in the sample, you'd do better to read the book because she never loses enthusiasm.

The novel itself is a classic, and though Harriet can be spoiled and disagreeable, it's a must-read for any child interested in the arts, journalism, spying, or secrets (and what child isn't interested in at least the last two?). For any adult who used to be such a child, it will bring back memories, and for those who have precocious and observant children, it may bring understanding.

This is a book people either love or hate, but even those who hate it can gain something from Harriet's observations about friendship and growing up.

Best book for a report

It was easy for me to read and the voucher has a beautiful voice I love this book I wrote a report on it only in 2 days BEST BOOK EVER

Harriet the spy review

I really enjoyed this book. Every night I would plead for my mom to let me listen to one more chapter!

I think

I think this book was not only creative but it is a original book. Way to go
Louise Fitzhugh!

great but had an abrupt ending

What made the experience of listening to Harriet the Spy the most enjoyable?

The narrator did a great job being a kid with all the angst and drama that comes with the age.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Harriet the Spy?

The most memorable moment was when Harriet's notebook is discovered and her friends hear what Harriet really thinks of them.

What does Anne Bobby bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She really enhanced the dramatic nature of this character.

Still wonderful

I read this when I was ten and just returned to it at 60. Just as wonderful now as it was then. Maybe even a little more wonderful.

More dated and negative than I'd remembered

I read this in grade school in the 80s and remembered liking it. But when I listened to it with my kids I found it very dated (NYC high society, bridge, nannies, cooks, servants). Harriet is very gossipy...

Up and down

I carried the sky has parts that can be very boring and very intriguing and exciting. Some spots they want me to just put the book down and forget about it. But trust me you will not want to do. I wish it was exciting but as long as you don't put down you'll get through this.

Fantastic Narration!!

Narrator is definitely on point! Worth the money! Thank you for the great reading...