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Group Discussions About This Book
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Bookshelf Nominations: NUMBERS [now online]
By Ruby , Mistress of Chaos · 4 posts · 85 views
By Ruby , Mistress of Chaos · 4 posts · 85 views
last updated Dec 03, 2017 09:15AM
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Bookshelf Nominations: IN THE TROPICS
By Ruby , Mistress of Chaos · 24 posts · 45 views
By Ruby , Mistress of Chaos · 24 posts · 45 views
last updated Feb 19, 2014 10:16PM
What Members Thought
I just reread this as an adult, and it's EVEN BETTER than I remember.
I was especially struck by a strange split from what you see in children's and middle-grade books today; though Harriet is very firmly a "kid" (and for a modern reader, a pretty young 11), the book doesn't condescend to young readers with overly-happy endings and sheltered situations. Her parents are absent, and so are most of her friends'. They drink and are self-absorbed. Kids are cruel and no adult intervenes. And her nurse ...more
I was especially struck by a strange split from what you see in children's and middle-grade books today; though Harriet is very firmly a "kid" (and for a modern reader, a pretty young 11), the book doesn't condescend to young readers with overly-happy endings and sheltered situations. Her parents are absent, and so are most of her friends'. They drink and are self-absorbed. Kids are cruel and no adult intervenes. And her nurse ...more
This book has a really good lesson about being too honest. Most people's secret thoughts, I guess, are best left unknown. I really like how the solution to Harriet's big problem comes from her own strength. I read this book for the first time since elementary school (mostly so I could read Harriet Spies Again at my daughter's recommendation) and found I still enjoy it. It makes me want to write more.
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Jan 14, 2012
Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!}
marked it as to-read
Oct 21, 2015
Kme_17
marked it as to-read
Apr 16, 2020
keres
marked it as to-read
Feb 20, 2022
Karigan
marked it as to-read
