Harriet the Spy Books

Follow Penguin Random House's current numbered order: Harriet the Spy, Harriet Spies Again, and Harriet the Spy, Double Agent. The two sequels continue Harriet's story but were completed by Helen Ericson and Maya Gold after Louise Fitzhugh's death, with Fitzhugh also credited by the publisher.

The Long Secret and Sport are related Louise Fitzhugh novels featuring characters from Harriet's world, but the publisher does not number them as books #2 or #3 in its current Harriet the Spy series. They are best treated as optional companion reading rather than inserted into this three-book order.

Sources: Penguin Random House's official Harriet the Spy series.

Harriet secretly observes people and writes blunt judgments in a private notebook. When her classmates read it, friendships break down and children retaliate through exclusion and mean behavior. The consequences offer useful openings to discuss privacy, honesty, empathy, and repairing harm.

Harriet can be sharp-tongued and makes ethically messy choices; the books do not present spying on friends as harmless. Penguin Random House recommends the current editions for ages 8–12.