Harriet Tells the Truth

Just Harriet #3

by Elana K. Arnold

Harriet sets out to solve a poisoning on Marble Island in the third book in the acclaimed cozy mystery series from award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. There are some things you should know about Harriet It's the truth. With her mom and new baby brother home from the hospital, it's almost time for Harriet to pack up and head home from Marble Island and all the friends she's made. But Harriet doesn't have time to think about that—not when she discovers that Moneypenny, her Nanu’s adorable basset hound, has been poisoned! Harriet suspects the culprit is one of the guests staying at Nanu's bed-and-breakfast, and she and her best friend, Clarence, are once again on the case. But when someone else falls ill, Harriet’s going to have to sleuth harder, spy sneakier, and be willing to see that sometimes the truth is more complicated than it seems. 

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Chapter Books

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 2024

About the author

ELANA K. ARNOLD writes books for and about children and teens. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing/Fiction from the University of California, Davis where she has taught Creative Writing and Adolescent Literature. Her most recent YA novel, DAMSEL, is a Printz Honor book, Her 2017 novel, WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and her middle grade novel, A BOY CALLED BAT, is a Junior Library Guild Selection. A parent and educator living in Huntington Beach, California, Elana is a frequent speaker at schools, libraries, and writers’ conferences. Currently, Elana is the caretaker of seven pets, only three of which have fur. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://elanakarnold.us10.list-manage...

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3rd/4th grade kids love this book. They love Harriet. Very Harriet the Spy/Nancy Drew but with modern themes and great storytelling.
Harriet tackles tricky topics like lying and truths. She works through big feelings, she makes social faux pas and tries to navigate relationships and friendships.
We love the narrative explanations and thought processes Harriet explores. As Harriet says being human is hard. This is such a great series to open up conversations. It's so far past the "because I said so" approach, Harriet is a new classic.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series, and I haven't read the first two, but it's a perfectly good basic kids novel for primary grade readers, and I 'd assume that the previous two are more of the same

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love reading Elana K. Arnold books with my 4th grader! Her characters are great and this one is no exception. My only complaint is that this is book #3 in what I believe may be a trilogy! My daughter and I have grown to love Harriet, her antics, and heart of gold.
If you're searching for a good middle grade read, this series will make you smile.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Trust your people.” 🥹
“And I’m a person with big feelings. That’s not something bad. It’s something true.” 🥹🥹

[OpenedBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Harriet Tells the Truth" by Elana K. Arnold is a delightful and heartwarming conclusion to the beloved trilogy. The story picks up with Harriet preparing to leave Marble Island as her mom and new baby brother return home from the hospital. However, the anticipated goodbyes are abruptly interrupted when Moneypenny, her Nanu’s lovable basset hound, is poisoned. Harriet, alongside her best friend Clarence, finds herself once again entangled in a mystery that requires all their sleuthing skills.

The book is more than just a mystery about the poisoned Moneypenny; it explores the deeper, more poignant mystery of Harriet learning to say goodbye to Marble Island and trusting those she loves to know what’s best. This underlying theme resonates deeply, especially for young readers navigating their own feelings of change and transition.

Arnold's writing is filled with wit and warmth, making the characters incredibly relatable and endearing. Harriet and her family and friends exude a wholesomeness that makes it hard to let them go. Their adventures and heartfelt moments become an integral part of the reader’s experience. As a parent, reading this with my child was a joyous experience, eliciting both laughter and happy tears.

Harriet's final adventure is not just about solving a crime; it’s about understanding the complexities of truth and the emotions tied to leaving a place and people who have become a part of you. Arnold skillfully balances the suspense of the mystery with the emotional growth of her protagonist, making the story rich and fulfilling.

In conclusion, "Harriet Tells the Truth" is the perfect wrap-up to a cherished trilogy. It’s a book that encourages readers to trust in themselves and those they love, to find joy in the journey, and to embrace the bittersweet beauty of farewells. An absolute delight, this book leaves a lasting impression, and in my family, we look forward to many adventures, just like Harriet’s on Marble Island, this summer.

[Paige V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from my little sister, Laly (11):

Harriet had a habit of lying all the time, but her vacation on Marble Island brought about a positive change in her. She is now determined to tell the truth. Her Nanu owns a poetry workshop where, one day, she encountered a rude poet who complained about pets being present at the workshop. Coincidentally, Harriet's dog, Moneypenny, fell sick after consuming something. Now, it's up to Harriet to uncover the mystery behind the incident and learn the importance of telling the truth before her time on Marble Island comes to an end.

The book in question is a delightful read that balances the themes of poetry, mystery, and self-discovery. It is also the series' third book, so I still have much more to read! One of the standout features of the book is the character of Harriet, who initially dislikes poetry but eventually learns to appreciate it as it helps her find the true meaning of truth in the book. Moreover, the book also includes a memorable quote that says, "A poem's job is to find a new way, to tell the truth," highlighting poetry's importance in our lives.

Aside from the themes of poetry and self-discovery, I also enjoyed the characters' unique personalities, each of whom brought their own quirks and traits to the table. For instance, Harriet's friend Clarence is portrayed as kind and intelligent, while the one-hundred-year-old Mabel Marble is wise and intriguing. Each character had their own story to tell, making the book a truly immersive experience.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry and mystery. The book's well-crafted plot, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes make it a must-read for any book lover.

Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ahmed Hussein]

تتفرد شركة خدمات الخليج بتقديم خدمات تركيب كاميرات المراقبة بأعلى مستويات الجودة والاحترافية. تعمل الشركة على تلبية احتياجات العملاء من خلال فريق متخصص من الفنيين ذوي الخبرة العالية في مجال تركيب وصيانة أنظمة المراقبة. توفر الشركة أحدث التقنيات في عالم كاميرات المراقبة لضمان تأمين البيئات بشكل كامل وفعال. تشمل خدمات الشركة تحليل احتياجات العميل وتصميم نظام مخصص يلبي توقعاته ومتطلباته الفريدة. بفضل التزامها بالجودة والابتكار، تضمن شركة خدمات الخليج أمانًا وحماية مستدامة للأفراد والأعمال، مما يجعلها الشريك المثالي في تأمين ومراقبة البيئات المختلفة.

شركة تركيب كاميرات مراقبة

[Jess R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Harriet series. My first grader really enjoys these books as read alouds. The story continues from the previous two books and has a cozy mystery plot.
Spoiler: A side plot in this installment is Harriet notices a change in the relationship between her Nanu and another guest at the B&B, a woman named the Captain. This culminates at the end of the book with the Captain moving into Nanu’s apartment because they are “in love.” This went right over my reader’s head and there was hardly any details given, but I did want to point it out, as older readers may ask questions.
Overall it was another great Harriet book with strong messages of friendship and honesty.

[Megan Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Perfect is boring."

"The truth about the way something felt. I'd have to think more about that. How the way you said something could matter as much as what you said. Maybe even more, sometimes."

"Sometimes we can't see the long view from the close-up spot."

"Trust your people."

"'I just told him the truth.' I shrugged. 'I thought I was supposed to tell the truth.'
'You told him your truth, Harriet,' said Nanu. 'And your truth isn't the same as the truth.'"

"Each of us has our limitations, and it's no folly to admit what they are. Let me help you with that."

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet's story is completed in this third book. She continues to love living on the island and works hard to change her habits of lying and losing her temper. Readers will appreciate and relate with her as she grieves leaving and tries to be in the present fun. Arnold continues to develop her characters and reveal more about them as the story unfolds. I've loved following her journey and watching relationships develop across the three book. I do recommend reading them in order.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this will not be just a trilogy now that the author has created such an amazing community in Marble Island. There are so many things I still want to learn from Harriet. She is not perfect but she is trying to get better and I love that she realizes when it's time to apologize. I didn't like book one much but then Book 2 and 3 stole my heart. Also love the audiobooks.

[nahes. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Isn’t it strange, how you can find things when you’re not looking? How you can look at something—or someone—one way, and be totally sure you understand it, that you know everything about it, and then actually it can turn out that it’s way more complicated and interesting than you ever would have imagined?"

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love complex characters and don't believe they should be reserved for "adult" fiction! Harriet has big feelings, makes mistakes, struggles, and ultimately grows. She's a whole person just like the children for whom she was written. Bravo!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Harriet's stay on Marble Island is coming to an end. When a group of poets checks into the B & B and insults Moneypenny and Matzo Ball, Harriet feels compelled to tell her own truth, without thinking of how it might affect others. Harriet learns that she must trust her people as she tries to unravel how Moneypenny and Mabel Marble were poisoned.

[Gmr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one was my favorite of the series!

[Jaime Hillegonds · Rating 1 out of 5]

A perfectly adorable series… ruined in the last few pages 😭

[Kinsley Coats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite chapter book I have read so far!Loved the ending and that she was a nice person working on telling the truth.

[Dqk436sbcglobal.Net · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book because it would give children who read this type of literature reasons why lying isn't wise & how it can affect others.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection! It felt like it could be the end of the series, but I hope that there will be dozens more.

[Lynae A · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a great book it has a lot of mysteries that are really interesting and there is a big surprise a the end you will have to read to find out.

[Yeslech · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book even better than book 2, but then it had an LGBTQ agenda unexpectedly and the immersion was broken.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elana K Arnold is one of my favorite middle grade authors (A Boy Called Bat has my heart forever). She writes such lovable characters and teaches lessons without being preachy. This is the third in the series and I loved it just as much as the first two. They're sweet, but not schmaltzy. I just passed this series along to my 4th grader and I hope she loves them as much as I do.