Horrible Harriet

Horrible Harriet lives in a nest on the roof of her school, and keeps teachers chained in the cellar to do her homework. The other children think she's a monster, as she teases and tricks them when their near blind teacher, Mr Boggles, isn't looking. He thinks Harriet's a good girl. But there is a surprise in store when Athol Egghead arrives in a hot air balloon. In fact, Harriet is like the school freak-friendless. The Horrible Harriet books are about her search for friendship. Leigh Hobbs writes: 'This book is about appearances and friendships and people not being what they seem. That is, appearances can be deceptive, and friendship can triumph. Horrible Harriet is an amalgam of various bad girls I have taught in schools.'