Friday, February 2, 2024

Walden Pond Press presents... HARRIET TELLS THE TRUTH by Elana K. Arnold - REVIEW!

Today's the day, my friends!
Today's the day we get to uncover the third installment in a fantastic children's series I've loved from the word go.  I don't know about you, but it has been quite the journey with Harriet!  I mean, this little girl that was made to stand out has come a rather long way over the course of one summer.  From being Just Harriet with her big temper and easy way with not-truths to following along as Harriet Spies and starts to become friends with the truth even though it's a tough sell for others to believe her, she's grown into more than just her dad's old overalls.  This time around, she's about to learn what the truth really means, and just how important it is to share those little moments in between.  Let's catch up with Harriet, Moneypenny, Matzo Ball, and the rest of the gang in today's book of choice and blog tour guest...



by
Elana K. Arnold


About the book...

There are some things you should know about Harriet Wermer:  
She used to lie a lot, but not anymore.
Seriously, she only tells the truth now.
Even though she hadn’t wanted to come to Marble Island in the first place, now she doesn’t want to leave.

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.


HARRIET TELLS THE TRUTH marks the third and final title in the funny and heartwarming middle grade series by Elana K. Arnold that began with JUST HARRIET, and continued with HARRIET SPIES. With this title, readers will return once more to world of Marble Island and its quirky cast of characters.



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It's a truth universally known that the thing you started out less than excited about...like, let's say staying with a certain Nanu over the summer while your mom, and dad, welcome your new baby brother to the family...often times, when given the chance, turn out to be much more desirable than you could have imagined.

Harriet has grown to like Marble Island...maybe even love it...and she's not really ready to say goodbye.  She's got more family now, a best friend, and a community in more than just name.  Whether she likes it or not, her leave date is coming, but in the mean time, she's intent on making the most of things.  When a mystery arises that threatens Moneypenny, she is on the case like a Matzo Ball on her pillow.  But who would want to harm the lovable hound?  True, she gets into things (we all do!), but this looks like more than an accident, and if you mess with anyone in Harriet's circle, you've messed with Harriet.  She's a good little detective, takes every detail in, but she's also learning that lesson about being truthful, so there are some obstacles to overcome, including the one where she's not so certain who is actually behind the poisoning.  When things take a grave turn, their hearts and their minds are kicked into action to put this mystery to bed.  Harriet will need all she's learned this summer, and the help of her friends, as well as that newfound family, in order to solve the case, and finally understand that while YOUR truth may be one thing, THE truth will truly set you free.

It was wonderful catching up with Harriet once again, seeing how she's grown, and watching her grow further.  The relationship with her best friend is put to the test, but she's stronger now, and not afraid to ask the big questions.  Her friendship with the Captain has taken on a new level of respect, and by book's end, she comes to mean more to Harriet's new family than you might think.  Nanu was just as gracious as always, letting Harriet have enough room to experience life without stifling her chances to learn.  Moneypenny and Matzo Ball, what can I say?  I'm a huge animal fan, unlike the poet in the story (at least as first!), so when our pupper friend was in trouble, my heart was on the line.  The same can be said about a certain centennial celebrant because I couldn't not worry about her; she was such a dear, and truly got our gal Harriet. 

All in all, a wonderful installment (end?) to this growing series intended for younger Children's Fiction readers, but more than easily enjoyed by those well beyond that crowd.  Don't miss this release, nay, this series because Harriet is a well-intentioned star with a heart of gold that deserves her time in the spotlight!



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Elana K. Arnold is the award-winning author of many books for children and teens including Just Harriet, Harriet Spies, The House that Wasn’t There, Sydney Taylor Book Award winner The Blood Years, Printz Honor winner Damsel, the National Book Award finalist What Girls are Made Of, and the Global Read Aloud selection A Boy Called Bat and its sequels. She is a member of the faculty at Hamline University’s MFA in writing for children and young adults program, and lives in Long Beach, CA, with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of animals. You can find her online at www.elanakarnold.com



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About the illustrator...

Dung (pronounced Dzung) Ho was born and raised in Hue citadel, Vietnam, where she studied graphic design at the Arts University. She is the New York Times-bestselling illustrator of many books for children, Joanna Ho’s Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and Laura Ruby’s Me and Ms. Too. She finds inspiration in nature: the beauty of plants, flowers, and leaves. She also loves to draw interesting characters with unique personalities. She now lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. When she’s not drawing, she loves spending time cooking (eating), watching movies, and tending her plants. Visit her at www.behance.net/hanhdungor follow her on Instagram @dunghanhho.



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Special thanks to Debbie and the Walden Pond Press team for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the bound ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to snag your copy today, and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!


BLOG TOUR STOPS

January 31 Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub
February 5 Bluestocking Thinking @bluesockgirl
February 6 Teachers Who Read @teachers_read
February 7 Maria's Melange@mariaselke 

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!


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