Harriet the Spy Reading Comprehension Questions
by Louise Fitzhugh
Book Summary
Harriet M. Welsch is an 11-year-old girl who loves to spy on people and write down her brutally honest observations in a private notebook. Her nanny, Ole Golly, encourages her unique hobby. However, when her notebook accidentally falls into the hands of her classmates, they read her often unkind thoughts about them. This leads to Harriet being shunned and bullied by her friends. Harriet struggles to understand why they are angry and how to fix things. With the help of her parents and a psychiatrist, and a letter from Ole Golly, Harriet learns about empathy and the power of her words. She eventually apologizes and learns to balance honesty with kindness, continuing her passion for writing with a new understanding.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Harriet the Spy.
1.What did Harriet love to do with her notebook?
2.Why did Ole Golly leave Harriet's family?
3.What happened to Harriet's notebook during a game of tag?
4.Why do you think Harriet felt lost after Ole Golly left?
5.How do you think Harriet's classmates felt when they read her secret notes about them?
6.Why did Harriet's parents send her to a psychiatrist?
7.What lesson did Harriet learn about her words by the end of the story?
8.What is one main idea the story teaches about friendship?
9.How did Harriet change from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.What does it mean to "spy" on someone, like Harriet did?
11.In the story, Harriet was "shunned" by her friends. What does "shunned" mean?
12.What is "empathy" as Harriet learned about it?
13.If you were Harriet's friend, what would you have done when you read her notebook?
14.Why is it important to think about other people's feelings before you speak or write?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Harriet the Spy to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Harriet the Spy with children.
What was your favorite part of Harriet the Spy? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Harriet the Spy, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Harriet the Spy make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Harriet the Spy to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Louise Fitzhugh wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Harriet the Spy?
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 5.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Harriet the Spy?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Harriet the Spy, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Harriet the Spy for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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