130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Happy Long Weekend! We're open all 3 days! 📚 Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Harriet the Spy

3.95 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 100,476 ratings, 3,143 reviews)
Brief Description
First published by HarperCollinsUS in 1964, this classic children’s novel has sold over 4 million copies and was awarded the New York Times Outstanding Book Award. Sixth-grader Harriet attends school on New York's Upper East Side along with her two best pals, Sport and Janie. After... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

First published by HarperCollinsUS in 1964, this classic children’s novel has sold over 4 million copies and was awarded the New York Times Outstanding Book Award.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

First published by HarperCollinsUS in 1964, this classic children’s novel has sold over 4 million copies and was awarded the New York Times Outstanding Book Award.

Sixth-grader Harriet attends school on New York's Upper East Side along with her two best pals, Sport and Janie. After school every day, she takes her notebook and proceeds through her spy route. Harriet observes the rich lady who never gets out of bed, the man with twenty-five cats, and the Italian family who runs a grocery store. She writes brutally honest notes on them all. Harriet's downfall is that she also writes notes about people she actually knows...

After a game in the park when her notebook is knocked out of her hands and read by her classmates, Harriet's innermost thoughts are revealed and she is shunned by all her classmates, who form the Spycatcher's Club. After her parents find out what's happened, Harriet receives a final, crushing blow. She is no longer allowed to take notes – her parents, her teacher, and even the cook search her every day for a contraband notebook. Harriet's only consolation is the love and the wise advice of her nanny, who manages to get her through this difficult period in her life.

A classic in the US where it was first published and a major motion film from Paramount, Harriet the Spy is a beloved book throughout the world.

Series: HarperCollins Children’s Classics

View all
  • My Naughty Little Sister
    Dorothy Edwards’ playful stories and Shirley Hughes’ beautiful illustrations have charmed generations of children and adults alike for nearly 75 years. My naughty little sister is stubborn and greedy and full of mischief. She tries to cut off the cat’s tail and eats all the trifle at Harry’s party! How much bother can one little sister be? Dorothy Edwards’ classic...
    Paperback
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Bill's New Frock
    A classic children’s story from one of our best-loved authors, former Children’s Laureate Anne Fine. This edition is illustrated throughout by Mark Beech and features special bonus material. Bill's New Frock tells the tale of Bill Simpson, who wakes up to find he's a girl—and his mother insists he wear a frilly pink dress to school. How on earth is...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Coram Boy
    The Whitbread 2000 Book of the Year is a haunting and captivating work of historical fiction for children. The Coram man takes babies and money from desperate mothers, promising to deliver them safely to a Foundling Hospital in London. Instead, he murders them and buries them by the roadside, to the helpless horror of his mentally ill son, Mish. Mish...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Number the Stars
    In Nazi-occupied Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen is called upon for a selfless act of bravery to help save her best friend from a terrible fate. Winner of the Newbery Medal. “They plan to arrest all the Danish Jews. They plan to take them away. And we have been told that they may come tonight.” It is 1943 and life in...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Box of Delights
    A timeless classic adventure illustrated by former Children’s Laureate Quentin Blake. A magical old man has asked Kay to protect the Box of Delights, a box with which he can travel through time. But Kay is in danger: Abner Brown will stop at nothing to get his hands on it. The police don't believe Kay, so when his family and...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Diamond of Drury Lane
    Julia Golding’s award-winning adventure series is perfect for fans of Katherine Woodfine, Robin Stevens, and J.T. Williams. This HarperCollins Children’s Classics edition features special bonus material. Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award. 'I am Cat Royal – Orphan, Adventurer, Actress… Reader, you are set to embark on an adventure about one...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Midnight Folk
    ‘Two of the greatest children’s books ever written’ – The Times on Box of Delights and The Midnight Folk. ‘You ought to know about the treasure, Kay … for until it is restored or traced, no man of our name ought to rest.’ Determined to recover the long-lost family treasure, Kay finds himself in a race against the evil Abner...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Bombs on Aunt Dainty
    Partly autobiographical, this is the second title in Judith Kerr’s internationally acclaimed trilogy of books following the life of Anna through war-torn Germany, to London during the Blitz and her return to Berlin to discover the past. It is hard enough being a teenager in London during the Blitz, finding yourself in love and wondering every night whether you will...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
    'A mischievous boy hero and an equally amusing ghoul,’ Guardian An iconic ghost story for children from Penelope Lively, one of the modern greats of British fiction. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there… James is fed up. His family has moved to a new cottage – with grounds that are great for excavations, and trees...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Sword in the Stone
    The extraordinary story of a boy called Wart – ignored by everyone except his tutor, Merlyn – who goes on to become King Arthur. Come, sword, said the Wart. He took hold of the handles with both hands and strained against the stone… but nothing moved… When the wizard Merlyn comes to tutor Sir Ector’s sons, Kay and the Wart,...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Here Comes Thursday
    The tale of a lost mouse who finds a new home Thursday the Mouse fell from a balloon, having just escaped from the Home for Waif-Mice and Stray-Mice. The Peck family of church mice adopt him and give him his name – Thursday – because the day he arrived was a Thursday to remember. Thursday joins the Pecks in their...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Harriet the Spy
    First published by HarperCollinsUS in 1964, this classic children’s novel has sold over 4 million copies and was awarded the New York Times Outstanding Book Award. Sixth-grader Harriet attends school on New York's Upper East Side along with her two best pals, Sport and Janie. After school every day, she takes her notebook and proceeds through her spy route. Harriet...
    Paperback
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008726546

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 April 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HarperCollins

Audience: Primary and secondary education, Children, Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 120g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Louise Fitzhugh was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1928, the only child of attorney Millsaps Fitzhugh and tap-dancer Louise Perkins. Her parents were divorced soon after she was born and Louise lived with her father, having virtually no contact with her mother. She attended a succession of schools and colleges then travelled around Europe, finally settling in New York and pursuing a career as an artist. She published ‘Harriet the Spy’, her first novel, to mixed reviews in 1964, but it has since been recognised as a children’s classic. ‘The Long Secret’ followed in 1965 and ‘Sport’ was published posthumously in 1979. Louise Fitzhugh died suddenly in 1974, aged only 46.

Also by Louise Fitzhugh

View all
  • Harriet the Spy
    First published by HarperCollinsUS in 1964, this classic children’s novel has sold over 4 million copies and was awarded the New York Times Outstanding Book Award. Sixth-grader Harriet attends school on New York's Upper East Side along with her two best pals, Sport and Janie. After school every day, she takes her notebook and proceeds through her spy route. Harriet...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    Fight or Flight: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (21)
    When the going gets tough, what’s a wimpy kid to do? In Fight or Flight, Greg Heffley faces his biggest challenge yet as he becomes a target for the school bully. Luckily for Greg, his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, takes karate, so at least Greg’s got someone in his corner. But an unexpected twist makes Greg realize he’s facing an uphill...
    Paperback
    $1699
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Sixth Faction
    Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives. She has a plan: she's going to make the bravest choice, and leave Abnegation behind to join Dauntless, even though it means leaving her family behind. But when tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, everything changes—her world, her...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Detective Beans Colouring Club
    New Release
    Detective Beans Colouring Club
    Help Detective Beans solve the case of the missing colours! Join the Colouring Club now! Join the Detective Beans Colouring Club! Inside you'll find 40 removable colouring pages featuring scenes from all over Cat Town. Filled with all the characters you know and love from the Detective Beans graphic novels like Biscuits, Beans' mum, Mr Brickle, Bear, Detective Baby Bird...
    By Li Chen
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas
    From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    On Sale
    21% off
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    Paperback
    $1500
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Backorder
    Ships late October
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    15% off
    New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.