An adorable, loveable book by Elana K Arnold for fans of her Bat series--a perfect voice for younger readers.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and my niece, who I read it to, enjoyed it as well!

Just Harriet
by Elana K. Arnold
Pub Date 01 Feb 2022
HarperCollins Children's Books, Walden Pond Press
Children's Fiction | Middle Grade | Mystery & Thrillers



I am reviewing a copy of Just Harriet through HarperCollins Children’s Books, Walden Pond Press and Netgalley:



There are some things you should know about Harriet Wermer: She just finished third grade, she has a perfect cat named Matzo Ball. Harriet doesn’t always tell the truth. She is very happy to be spending summer vacation away from home and her mom and dad and all the wonderful things she had been planning all year. Maybe the last part isn’t the full truth.




There’s nothing Harriet doesn’t like about Marble Island, the small island off the coast of California where her nanu runs a cozy little bed and breakfast. And nobody doesn’t love Moneypenny, Nanu’s old basset hound. What Harriet doesn’t like is her Father made the decision without even asking her about it.






When Harriet arrives on Marble Island, she discovers it is full of surprise and even a mystery. One that seems to involve her Dad, back when he was a young boy living on Marble Island. One that Harriet is absolutely going to solve. And that's the truth.



I give Just Harriet five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Another sweet book by author Elana K. Arnold. Harriet just finished third grade and is not excited about the change in her summer plans due to her new baby brother's imminent arrival. However, once at her grandmother's she finds a bit of a mystery to keep her and the readers entertained. The imperfect Harriet, is a perfectly relatable character for kids. This should be a popular book for grades 3-6.

Just Harriet is a wonderful book! Harriet (named after Harriet the Spy) has to live with her Nanu during the summer while her mother is on bedrest at home. Nanu lives on an island and runs a B & B. Harriet brings along her cat-Matzo Ball, but will she get along with Moneypenny, Nau's dog? Harriet finds a key and goes on an adventure to see what it opens. Harriet also learns more about her dad and her Nanu along the way.

I loved this book and I know that children are going to enjoy it as much! There is adventure, problems to work out and stories to listen to. This book definitely sets itself up for a sequel and I can't wait to read it!

Ramona was my best friend growing up - I felt like she was just like me. I imagine many kids may feel that way about Harriet - another little girl trying to find her way in the world and how she fits.
Harriet is that precocious little kid you can't help but like, even if she's rough around the edges and not always the most honest. She feels so very real, and her adventures through her summer at her grandmother's are easy to imagine as actually happening. Harriet's "problems" are also very relatable for a little kid - a new sibling, not understanding adults, getting absorbed in your own adventure - it feels just like I did as a kid.
I love Harriet, and I hope the kids who need her will find her and join in on the adventure. And I very much hope there will be more in the future.

Just Harriet was a delight! It is a great book to lead conversations with children about big feelings and choices. I loved Harriet and the voice Arnold wrote with. Harriet feels like a dear friend, and the B and B feels like somewhere I've been. I can't wait to share this one with students.

Loved this modern-day homage to Harriet the Spy. I enjoyed seeing Harriet learn about herself as well as her father through her adventure. As with all Arnold's books, this is a wonderful book that the entire family will enjoy reading. The characters and their pets combined with the location make this a fun getaway read that young people will truly enjoy.

Harriet is sent to stay with her grandmother, Nanu, for the summer while mom is on bed rest while pregnant. She misses her parents, especially dad, but as she learns her way around Nanu’s B & B she begins to have fun. Harriet is told “adventure and mystery are everywhere, if you know where to look.” When she finds a huge key, she starts looking for the treasure that it surely must unlock.

Fans of Elana K. Arnold’s Bat series are sure to love her newest book, Just Harriet, starring a young girl named Harriet who is spending the summer at her grandmother’s island B&B. Though Harriet is there against her will, she doesn’t let that stop her from exploring the island and the house — and finding some mysteries along the way.

This book is gentle and sweet, with characters that have a lot of potential in future books. Harriet is a fantastic protagonist -- she doesn't always get things right, and she has a bad habit of lying, and she is the kind of character that you want to root for.

As always, Arnold's animal characters are just as vibrant as her human ones -- Moneypenny and Matzo Ball are adorable, both in their written antics and in the lovingly rendered illustrations.

Parents and kids alike are sure to enjoy Just Harriet and all her island adventures.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

This story was adorable, and meaningful. The characters were well developed and whimsical.