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Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest
A highly illustrated fiction series about a determined young inventor, from award-winning author Vashti Hardy.
Join Harley, her robot dog Sprocket and best friend Cosmo for problem-solving adventures and mysteries in Inventia, a world where science rules and technology grows in the forest; and where exploding science projects, giant slugs and runaway robots are all part of a normal school day.
The Iron Forest near Harley’s home is unlike any other – plants and trees grow cogs and hinges and other mechanical parts – and all of Inventia depends on it. So when a strange fungus is discovered, there’s a race to find a solution. Without essential parts for inventions, the town is quickly falling apart…
But just who or what is behind the mysterious infestation? Harley decides it’s up to her to save the day – with chaotic results!
Join Harley, her robot dog Sprocket and best friend Cosmo for problem-solving adventures and mysteries in Inventia, a world where science rules and technology grows in the forest; and where exploding science projects, giant slugs and runaway robots are all part of a normal school day.
The Iron Forest near Harley’s home is unlike any other – plants and trees grow cogs and hinges and other mechanical parts – and all of Inventia depends on it. So when a strange fungus is discovered, there’s a race to find a solution. Without essential parts for inventions, the town is quickly falling apart…
But just who or what is behind the mysterious infestation? Harley decides it’s up to her to save the day – with chaotic results!
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Vashti Hardy
36 books164 followers Vashti Hardy is a children’s book author who lives near Lancashire, England, with her husband and three teens. She has an honors teaching degree and an MA in creative writing from the University of Chichester.
Vashti Hardy est une auteure jeunesse. Elle a enseigné pendant de nombreuse années à l'école primaire. Après avoir quitté l'enseignement pour se consacrer davantage à l'écriture, elle devient conceptrice-rédactrice et cadre dans le marketing numérique. Elle est titulaire d'un M.A. en création littéraire de l'Université de Chichester. Elle compte également parmi les diplômés de la Golden Egg Academy, une école destinée aux auteurs de livres pour enfants et aide régulièrement les nouveaux élèves de l'institution. Vashti Hardy vit avec son mari et ses trois enfants près de Brighton dans le Sussex de l'Est.
Vashti Hardy est une auteure jeunesse. Elle a enseigné pendant de nombreuse années à l'école primaire. Après avoir quitté l'enseignement pour se consacrer davantage à l'écriture, elle devient conceptrice-rédactrice et cadre dans le marketing numérique. Elle est titulaire d'un M.A. en création littéraire de l'Université de Chichester. Elle compte également parmi les diplômés de la Golden Egg Academy, une école destinée aux auteurs de livres pour enfants et aide régulièrement les nouveaux élèves de l'institution. Vashti Hardy vit avec son mari et ses trois enfants près de Brighton dans le Sussex de l'Est.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 22, 2021
This was so much fun! The Iron Forest near Harley’s home is unlike any other – plants & trees grow cogs & hinges & other mechanical parts – & all of Inventia depends on it. So when a strange fungus is discovered, there’s a race to find a solution. Without essential parts for inventions, the town is quickly falling apart…But just who or what is behind the mysterious infestation? Harley decides it’s up to her to save the day – with chaotic results! I always love the worlds Vashti Hardy creates. They always speak to my steampunk loving heart in some way. This early MG is no different. I mean, a Forrest that grows mechanical parts? Fishing for mechanical fish for “inspiration”?! This is like my dream world! Lol It also makes other parts of my heart happy with other things that I love-like a good mystery, a strong female lead, & an amazing friendship. I loved the friendship between Harley & Cosmo, & seeing it grow..how they learned from each other, & helped each other in some way. I couldn’t stand Fenelda! So page 224 made me very happy!😆Even in a shorter book than I’ve read from her before, the author manages to still have all the creative, descriptive details that make her worlds come alive. If that wasn’t enough, this is FULL of amazing illustrations by the super talented George Ermos, who of course also did this stunning cover. Great lessons/messages on friendship, admitting when you’re wrong, how kindness goes a long way, asking for help is ok, & making mistakes or taking risks is ok-it’s how you learn & grow. Highly recommend! Don’t know if this will be a series, but I hope so!💜
April 5, 2021
I love Harley Hitch, a strong female lead, who isn't perfect. She makes mistakes, will she learn from them?
This is a wonderful book to share with younger readers with a great pairing of illustrations throughout the text - a great partnership which adds so much to the story.
A book which touches on STEM, conservation, learning for sustainability and definite links to the global goals (no spoilers here.)
Find out how Harley tries to impress her school and the impact of her actions.
I hope we have more Harley Hitch adventures on the way as I want to learn more about Inventia!
This is a wonderful book to share with younger readers with a great pairing of illustrations throughout the text - a great partnership which adds so much to the story.
A book which touches on STEM, conservation, learning for sustainability and definite links to the global goals (no spoilers here.)
Find out how Harley tries to impress her school and the impact of her actions.
I hope we have more Harley Hitch adventures on the way as I want to learn more about Inventia!
March 12, 2022
Harley is super keen to do well at school and be named Pupil of the Term but first she must come up with an idea so that she is noticed for the right reasons for a change. Enter Cosmo, a new quiet boy who she gets paired up with, and Fenelda, her annoying and sneaky arch rival who embraces every mistake Harley makes. A bit steam punk, great problem solving, ideas of sustainability and very imaginative.
I’m pretty happy with this book and I think it would probably do well as a read aloud for 3/4 but also suit through to year 5/6. A very able year 6 reader of mine loved it as a quick read.
I’m pretty happy with this book and I think it would probably do well as a read aloud for 3/4 but also suit through to year 5/6. A very able year 6 reader of mine loved it as a quick read.
July 17, 2021
An illustrated book set in a world where school is guarded by a gatekeeper robot and technology blooms in a forest. Harley Hitch is inventive, impulsive and full of life and I enjoyed reading about her exploits. Her bumpy relationship with Cosmo shows the ups and downs of friendship, and it was nice to see a non-traditional family (she is raised by her two granddads).
May 5, 2021
Vashti Hardy's latest offering follows her STEM themes and quick pacing to bring another engaging adventure in an unique world bursting with colour and fun. Like many of her works, HARLEY HITCH sits in that soft zone between sci-fi and fantasy. It is a world of inventions and technology, robots and semi-mechanical animals. Metal parts grow on trees and fishes dispense cryptic advice. It leans a little more on the sci-fi side than the fantasy.
It's the younger end of Middle Grade, a quick easy read half the thickness of her previous book and with much larger font. It's a nice book to gulp down (I read the whole thing in the time it took the exceedingly long credits to roll in the second Lord of the Rings!)
Plus, it's full illustrated, most of which are at least half page spreads of the scenes. I love illustrated books as they help bring the world to life, particularly visualising characters (which I am notoriously bad at!) With worlds as unique as Vashti Hardy's, it's so nice to see it exactly as she envisioned it, in all its quirky glory.
HARLEY HITCH contains a message about the delicate nature of ecosystems and how vital they are to everyday life. As well as promoting innovation and enthusiasm for solutions, it's also a bit of cautionary tale about not rushing into things untested or unresearched.
It's the first in a new series. I'm not quite sure when the next one is due, given she has quite a busy release schedule (3 different books out this year!) However, I shall be on the look out for it!
It's the younger end of Middle Grade, a quick easy read half the thickness of her previous book and with much larger font. It's a nice book to gulp down (I read the whole thing in the time it took the exceedingly long credits to roll in the second Lord of the Rings!)
Plus, it's full illustrated, most of which are at least half page spreads of the scenes. I love illustrated books as they help bring the world to life, particularly visualising characters (which I am notoriously bad at!) With worlds as unique as Vashti Hardy's, it's so nice to see it exactly as she envisioned it, in all its quirky glory.
HARLEY HITCH contains a message about the delicate nature of ecosystems and how vital they are to everyday life. As well as promoting innovation and enthusiasm for solutions, it's also a bit of cautionary tale about not rushing into things untested or unresearched.
It's the first in a new series. I'm not quite sure when the next one is due, given she has quite a busy release schedule (3 different books out this year!) However, I shall be on the look out for it!
January 28, 2023
What a fantastic book! I know I am super late to the party but I’m so glad I finally got to this one on my TBR pile!
The story is set in Forgetown, Inventia with Harley Hitch and her robot dog, Sprocket. Harley is a wonderful character, she very kind hearted and brave. She is desperate to get ‘pupil of the term’ at Cogworks School but sometimes her good intentions don’t quite go as she would want!
When a mystery happens in The Iron Forest, a magical place where technology blooms and science/ engineering is of the utmost importance, Harley is determined to fix the situation.
Apart from being a thrilling, face paced book, with giant slugs, robots that revolt and mysterious deadly fungus, it also talks about really important messages such as the delicate nature of ecosystems, friendships and women in STEM.
The story is set in Forgetown, Inventia with Harley Hitch and her robot dog, Sprocket. Harley is a wonderful character, she very kind hearted and brave. She is desperate to get ‘pupil of the term’ at Cogworks School but sometimes her good intentions don’t quite go as she would want!
When a mystery happens in The Iron Forest, a magical place where technology blooms and science/ engineering is of the utmost importance, Harley is determined to fix the situation.
Apart from being a thrilling, face paced book, with giant slugs, robots that revolt and mysterious deadly fungus, it also talks about really important messages such as the delicate nature of ecosystems, friendships and women in STEM.
March 13, 2022
Rubi
I rated this book 4.5 stars because I was so touched by Harley and Cosmo's friendship but I was sad when Harley and Cosmo's friendship was falling apart.
Jeanie
It was a surprising book on each page. There was an insane part in the book.
Chloe
I thought Harley and Cosmo would never be friends and they were serious but at the end they were best friends forever.
Melu
I like how she found the robots talking about something.
Layla
I was so touched by Harley and Cosmo's friendship. Fenelda Spiggot was so mean to Harley, I was so sad.
Jessica
I really liked the part when Cosmo and Harley got revenge on Fenelda.
Rohan
I rated this book 5 stars because the book was amazing, my favourite part was when Harley comes up with a plan to trap the slug.
I rated this book 4.5 stars because I was so touched by Harley and Cosmo's friendship but I was sad when Harley and Cosmo's friendship was falling apart.
Jeanie
It was a surprising book on each page. There was an insane part in the book.
Chloe
I thought Harley and Cosmo would never be friends and they were serious but at the end they were best friends forever.
Melu
I like how she found the robots talking about something.
Layla
I was so touched by Harley and Cosmo's friendship. Fenelda Spiggot was so mean to Harley, I was so sad.
Jessica
I really liked the part when Cosmo and Harley got revenge on Fenelda.
Rohan
I rated this book 5 stars because the book was amazing, my favourite part was when Harley comes up with a plan to trap the slug.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2021
Harley Hitch lives in Inventia with her Grandpas and her robot dog, Sprocket, but when a mysterious fungus invades the Iron Forest, it threatens the livelihoods of everyone in town. With the help of the new boy, Cosmo, Harley must find a solution to save the forest. This a new highly illustrated series for younger readers and it hits exactly the right notes. Harley is a determined and inventive protagonist who often gets it wrong but perseveres and learns from her mistakes. I love the exciting steampunk world of Inventia and the Iron Forest, a forest where mechanical parts grow wild, is an absolutely brilliant concept.
December 31, 2024
Harley Hitch is a frustrated genius inventor, misunderstood by authority figures, completely single-minded and willing to commit any and every ecological crime in pursuit of minor academic recognition, in the form of the Cogworks Pupil of the Term award. Relatable.
I feel like this is a trend in the children's adventure things I've seen lately, having protagonists who are quite well-meaning but pretty flawed, and their problems are more about them trying to do the right things but in the wrong way, than like good-vs-evil? I'm not sure if that's just a recent thing, but it's interesting!
I feel like this is a trend in the children's adventure things I've seen lately, having protagonists who are quite well-meaning but pretty flawed, and their problems are more about them trying to do the right things but in the wrong way, than like good-vs-evil? I'm not sure if that's just a recent thing, but it's interesting!
May 19, 2021
This is a wonderful imaginative delight. With vibrant characters & set in a unique fun world this story is full of humour, adventure, STEM based & strong friendship themes. It is further enhanced with some fab illustrations which also space out the text, making it more accessible for dyslexic & reluctant readers. As an adult I enjoyed reading and would recommend it for child readers aged 7+
March 21, 2021
FINISHED: this is a delight! Jam packed with problem solving, STEM and a messages about friendship, family and kindness! Vashti Hardy continues to write fun and interesting books! I can’t wait for more - this would make a great Y3 read! Loved the illustrations by George Ermos!
June 5, 2022
Excellent story, hugely entertaining with strong STEM foundation. You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
April 3, 2021
Another fantastic book from Vashti Hardy! I absolutely adored Harley's character. There is something about Vashti's writing where you can close your eyes and see the world come to life! Just amazing!
June 10, 2021
Loved this book! It was such beautiful story about family, friendship and resilience, with lots of cute and funny moments. My class will love the school setting, the STEM themes and the adorable robot dog.
Harley, the main character, is such a loveable ball of energy. She acts first and thinks about the consequences later. No matter how many mistakes she makes, her heart is always in the right place and she never gives up. Her granddads are wonderful: providing her with security and love, whilst also giving her the right amount of independence to have a go herself. They've joined my list of brilliant parental figures in children's fiction!
I adored the world-building, the school setting and Harley's rivalry with Fenelda. Excited for book 2 and Harley's new hair colour!
Harley, the main character, is such a loveable ball of energy. She acts first and thinks about the consequences later. No matter how many mistakes she makes, her heart is always in the right place and she never gives up. Her granddads are wonderful: providing her with security and love, whilst also giving her the right amount of independence to have a go herself. They've joined my list of brilliant parental figures in children's fiction!
I adored the world-building, the school setting and Harley's rivalry with Fenelda. Excited for book 2 and Harley's new hair colour!
June 23, 2021
Vashti Hardy does it again. I loved Harley and her family. She has a good heart and just wants to make everything right. I am looking forward to more adventures ahead.
August 7, 2021
Such a fun read. I think we all need an Iron Forest in our lives
August 23, 2021
This was great - a very cool, original world with good character development and friendship lessons. Plus, adorable robots!
November 7, 2021
Good Shared reading with my son.
November 13, 2021
I think this is officially my favourite Vashti Hardy book. Can’t wait to see what the next book brings.
November 13, 2021
Read to my class. Okay but didn't have the class excited compared to other children'.novels I've read to them.
August 11, 2022
This was such a fun and unique book! I loved Vashti’s writing and her storytelling and I absolutely adored the steampunk vibes the book had so now I have and urgent need to read her other books 👀💙
December 18, 2022
Really good book for the 7+ age. Nice story about friendship and resilience and well as touching on equal rights
June 13, 2025
Read with my son for his 15 books for school. He loved it.
June 10, 2021
Woooow was Fenelda infuriating! From the very first chapter I was absolutely Team Harley and fully rooting for her! I was just so ready for Fenelda to get her comeuppance ugh.
Sure, Harley might rush into things, but she means well and she does learn why that might not be such a good idea this time around. I felt like she and Cosmo were great at balancing each other out as he reigns her in a little bit while she pushes him out of his comfort zone and to be bolder.
Harley Hitch was wonderfully fast paced, there was an intriguing mystery to get to the bottom of and plenty of fun solutions along the way! I loved the messages within the book about kindness to others, friendship and that it's okay to take a slow, calm approach to problems and think things through before acting...or in some cases to be a little bit bolder. Not everything is a race after all!
The illustrations were so cute and wonderfully drawn, they really helped to bring not only the characters to life, but the interesting, imaginative world that the story was set in. I loved all of the little pieces of information about the various plants and trees within the Iron Forest that decorated the inside of the front and back book jacket and I'm hoping we get to learn even more in future books.
All in all, this is a pacey, imaginative and brilliant read! Fenelda will have you just as fuming as Harley was, and Harley is such an easy character to empathise with and root for! I most of all loved the focus on STEM, inventing, problem solving and just being creative!
Sure, Harley might rush into things, but she means well and she does learn why that might not be such a good idea this time around. I felt like she and Cosmo were great at balancing each other out as he reigns her in a little bit while she pushes him out of his comfort zone and to be bolder.
Harley Hitch was wonderfully fast paced, there was an intriguing mystery to get to the bottom of and plenty of fun solutions along the way! I loved the messages within the book about kindness to others, friendship and that it's okay to take a slow, calm approach to problems and think things through before acting...or in some cases to be a little bit bolder. Not everything is a race after all!
The illustrations were so cute and wonderfully drawn, they really helped to bring not only the characters to life, but the interesting, imaginative world that the story was set in. I loved all of the little pieces of information about the various plants and trees within the Iron Forest that decorated the inside of the front and back book jacket and I'm hoping we get to learn even more in future books.
All in all, this is a pacey, imaginative and brilliant read! Fenelda will have you just as fuming as Harley was, and Harley is such an easy character to empathise with and root for! I most of all loved the focus on STEM, inventing, problem solving and just being creative!
April 23, 2025
Secondo libro che leggo della stessa autrice, e anche questo non mi ha convinto molto. Nelle sue storie manca sempre qualcosa, ma non so bene cosa.
Questo, in confronto a Wildspark è per lettori più giovani, alcune parti sono carine e divertenti, e mi sono piaciuti molto i rapporti personali. Harley ha due nonni (uomini), un cane robot, e Cosmo, il suo nuovo amico.
Non ho ben capito come funzioni la foresta e quindi come viva il mondo dove vive Harley, ma va bene così.
Questo, in confronto a Wildspark è per lettori più giovani, alcune parti sono carine e divertenti, e mi sono piaciuti molto i rapporti personali. Harley ha due nonni (uomini), un cane robot, e Cosmo, il suo nuovo amico.
Non ho ben capito come funzioni la foresta e quindi come viva il mondo dove vive Harley, ma va bene così.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews