The Long Secret (Harriet the Spy)
by Louise Fitzhugh
Book Summary Information
Author: Louise FitzhughEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2002-03-12
ISBN: 0440418194
Number of pages: 288
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Yearling
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780440418191
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
Book Reviews of The Long Secret (Harriet the Spy)
Book Review: Dated Yet Timely
Summary: 5 Stars
The Long Secret is the sequel to Harriet The Spy. Published in 1965, it is primarily the story of Beth Ellen Hansen, Harriet's schoolmate and summertime best friend in Water Mill, on Long Island. The setting is rather exclusive: all the characters seem to be highly affluent (even Mama Jenkins drives a Maserati), living in a summer resort with a country club, large beach houses, and multitudes of servants. But the story is universal and even more applicable now than forty five years ago.
Beth Ellen's parents are divorced. Her father never appears, and her mother is a flighty Society lady who is constantly traveling and partying. Beth Ellen lives with her grandmother and leads a quiet, not very happy life with no aims or ambitions until one day when her mother shows up and starts taking her in hand. Beth Ellen, who is already starting to rebel as she begins to mature physically and emotionally, learns to stand up for herself and acquires new direction and focus.
Harriet M. Welsch is primarily an observer in this book, but she still keeps a notebook and continues to make some astute and often funny comments on the foibles of the adult world. Janie Gibbs also returns, plus there are several new characters, primarily the Jenkins family, eccentric Southerners who provide some comic relief.
The themes of friendship and growing maturity are well conceived and described here, as are some fine reflections on religious belief, and the lampooning of High Society is absolutely hilarious. It will appeal to children who are starting to recognize that the world they are growing into is less orderly than they might have once believed. Adults who read it again after many years will remember why they loved it as children and also recognize deeper insights they may not have fully understood before.
Summary of The Long Secret (Harriet the Spy)
Harriet the Spy refuses to become ruffled when an unidentified person starts leaving disturbing notes all over the quiet little beach town of Water Mill. She's determined to discover the author of the notes. And she drags her best friend, mousy Beth Ellen, into all kinds of odd and embarrassing situations in her efforts to reveal the culprit. Observing in her own special, caustic way with her ever-present notebook, Harriet the Spy is on the case. But will she be ready to face the truth when she finds it?General Books
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