Reinhardt, Dana. 2007. Harmless. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 9780385746991
The Characters
Anna, Emma and Mariah are the main characters in Harmless. Each girl has her own personality that shifts as the lie they told gets progressively worse. Anna is shy, but becomes more outgoing as the story goes on; Emma is Anna's best friend, but recedes into the shadows; Mariah is a wild girl that slowly grabs the reigns of her life.
The Plot
Three girls tell their parents that they're going to a movie, but go to a party instead. When their parents find out that they didn't really go to the movies, they tell another lie in hopes of keeping the party a secret. Then, it blows up in their faces. It's just a harmless little lie...
The Setting
Orsonville, New York
This setting is important for two of the three girls. Emma's family moved to the small town of Orsonville from New York City, which she has a problem with and Mariah also hates the small town life.
The Theme
telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
What's the harm in telling one little lie? Okay, more than one little lie. Okay, maybe not even so little... These girls have to realize on their own that telling the truth is easier and safer than lying.
The Style
first person, written from Anna's, Emma's and Mariah's points of view
The reader gets an insight into what each girl is thinking, but only in her own chapter. The girls can't quite figure out what her friends are really up to, and that can be seen in each chapter as the story develops.
The Strengths and Weaknesses
I like that Harmless was told from all three girls' points of view. It gives a good idea of what is going on in each of their heads and how the lies are affecting them individually. This is good because it shows teen readers that everyone reacts to things differently.
I do not like that nothing bad really happened. Also, it's not very believable. I don't think any cop would walk into a school and arrest three girls that have never been in trouble before in front of all their classmates for telling a lie. The story would have been better if something would have actually happened. When I first started reading it, I thought that Emma was going to end up pregnant after sleeping with Owen, which would then cause the lie to be that she was raped by the man by the river or even Owen, which would have made for a better story, but no.
The Favorite Lines
The Style
first person, written from Anna's, Emma's and Mariah's points of view
The reader gets an insight into what each girl is thinking, but only in her own chapter. The girls can't quite figure out what her friends are really up to, and that can be seen in each chapter as the story develops.
The Strengths and Weaknesses
I like that Harmless was told from all three girls' points of view. It gives a good idea of what is going on in each of their heads and how the lies are affecting them individually. This is good because it shows teen readers that everyone reacts to things differently.
I do not like that nothing bad really happened. Also, it's not very believable. I don't think any cop would walk into a school and arrest three girls that have never been in trouble before in front of all their classmates for telling a lie. The story would have been better if something would have actually happened. When I first started reading it, I thought that Emma was going to end up pregnant after sleeping with Owen, which would then cause the lie to be that she was raped by the man by the river or even Owen, which would have made for a better story, but no.
The Favorite Lines
"I thought, more than once, more than twice, during those beats when Silas's hand held on to my arm, when his knees were touching mine, of telling him the truth. The truth about our lie. The truth about our lie? Or was it a lie about the truth? Truth and lies. Lies and truths. Lielielielielie. Truthtruthtruthtruthtruth.... Lies destroy you" (194). Mariah deciding whether she should tell Silas, her crush and Emma's older brother, the truth about what happened.
The Reviews
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 3))
... Reinhardt successfully avoids a sanctimonious tone in imparting this moral lesson and infuses the story with enough drama to avoid banality. Worthwhile, but not spectacular.
Linda Martin (Library Media Connection, April 2007)
Harmless is novel with a moral, but never preachy or condescending.... This novel is a page-turner that addresses real-life situations experienced by older teens, making it inappropriate for some middle-schoolers, despite its easy reading. Alcohol use and sexual experimentation are handled in sensitive, straightforward ways, but the negative consequences are clear. Students will like this book for its suspense, believable characters, and the non-judgmental way in which the girls learn right from wrong.
The Connection
Sharing this book, then having a frank discussion about lying and telling the truth would be a good program with a small group of teenagers, but teens that really trust you and wouldn't be afraid to tell you the truth.
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 3))
... Reinhardt successfully avoids a sanctimonious tone in imparting this moral lesson and infuses the story with enough drama to avoid banality. Worthwhile, but not spectacular.
Linda Martin (Library Media Connection, April 2007)
Harmless is novel with a moral, but never preachy or condescending.... This novel is a page-turner that addresses real-life situations experienced by older teens, making it inappropriate for some middle-schoolers, despite its easy reading. Alcohol use and sexual experimentation are handled in sensitive, straightforward ways, but the negative consequences are clear. Students will like this book for its suspense, believable characters, and the non-judgmental way in which the girls learn right from wrong.
The Connection
Sharing this book, then having a frank discussion about lying and telling the truth would be a good program with a small group of teenagers, but teens that really trust you and wouldn't be afraid to tell you the truth.
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