Harriet M. Welsch
As a child, I read Harriet the Spy more times than any other book. Actually, since my rereading of Harry Potter is divided by seven, I think Harriet the Spy still holds the title for my most often read book. Over 20 times? 30? There was a period of time when I read it over and over again, partially to beat my brother’s supposed record of reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but mainly because I couldn’t get enough.
Harriet’s Book Stack
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Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“We have a world full of women who are unable to exhale fully because they have for so long been conditioned to fold themselves into shapes to make themselves likeable.”
The Great Brain Reforms
John D. Fitzgerald
I feel like the Great Brain would fit well into Harriet’s group of friends. If you never read the Great Brain series as a kid, you’re missing out. I think these are out of print, which is a true shame, as it’s a series that, like Roald Dahl books, seems to be universally loved.
My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books
Pamela Paul
I can’t quite put my finger on why, but I can see Harriet growing up to be Pamela Paul and writing a delightful memoir like this.
Some Kind of Happiness
Claire Legrand
This is a new middle grade that’s really special. I think Harriet would love the list making done by the main character and find her struggles and imagination to be realistically fleshed out and wonderfully relatable.
Still Life
Louise Penny
Despite her dream job combination of writer and spy, I don’t think Harriet grows up to be a spy. I do think she’d still get a kick out of reading about detective work, though.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Alan Bradley
Harriet would love Flavia, right? She’s like Harriet and Jane combined AND is kicking butt and solving real cases.
Miss Buncle’s Book
D.E. Stevenson
The people of Silverstream seem like spying gold for Harriet.
What do you think? What other books should be on her stack?
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