The 'In Character' Blog
 
 

On Air: Harriet the Spy

» Hear the 'Morning Edition' radio commentary

Book cover: Harriet the Spy.

Good cover: Harriet the Spy was far from perfect -- which helped make her a touchstone for kids who felt different.

Courtesy Louise Fitzhugh Estate

NPR's Neva Grant takes a look at Louise Fitzhugh's kid-lit classic Harriet the Spy this morning. Turns out she's a role model for outsiders of all stripes.

"She gives us permission not to be one of those bridge-players sitting around the table acting like your mom," children's book expert Anita Silvey tells Grant. Much more, including what happens when classmates steal Harriet's spy notebook and read all her secrets, over on the story page.

11:20 AM ET | 03- 3-2008 | permalink

comments | |

11:20 AM ET | 03- 3-2008 | permalink

 

Comments

View all comments »

Add a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

Thank you so much for this. I love this book. another good one is "the girl with the silver eyes"; it was more sci-fi and from the seventies. Also I liked "No Flying in the House"!

Sent by Kelly | 1:53 PM ET | 03-03-2008

Nancy v. Harriet -- my favorite part of the story. The voice overs were perfect. Go, Harriet!
Catherine

Sent by Catherine Gibson | 2:09 PM ET | 03-03-2008

It's an attractive story and i appreciate it very much!

Sent by catheryn | 12:24 AM ET | 03-07-2008

My sixth grade watched the film together as we started our personal journal projects. We loved the music, we loved Harriet, and now we will love the books because the character is so real.

Sent by Patricia Hambrook | 8:39 AM ET | 03-07-2008
   
   
   
null


 
Elizabeth Blair.

Elizabeth Blair

blogger

 
Trey Graham. Photo: Stan Barouh.

Trey Graham

blogger

 
 
 

Who Moves You?

Join the In Character conversation: Tell us about the fictional characters who've told you something about yourself or your world. Your essay may appear here on the blog — or even on the air.

 
 
 

Search 'The 'In Character' Blog'

Search for the word(s):
 
 

Recent Entries

 
 

Categories

 
 

Archives

 
 

What is 'In Character'?

The classic bad girl. The mad scientist. The wise-cracking sidekick. In Character is an NPR series exploring famous American fictional characters, from Atticus Finch to Ugly Betty. What do they say about society? About individual experience? About the comedy and complexity of who we are? Join us, online and on the air, as we ask what makes them tick — and what that means for us.

For more details on this project, read our FAQ and Discussion Guidelines. Or just go ahead and submit your own In Character essay.

 
 

Private Comments

You can contact the In Character team privately if you have comments or questions you do not want posted.

 
 
 

Related News Feeds

More about News Feeds »
 
 

Browse Topics

Services

Programs