Secrets
on Goodreads (6,750)
What’s inside...
A chance meeting sparks a friendship between two very different girls, Treasure and India. When Treasure has to run away to avoid her stepfather, India comes up with a hiding place inspired by her favorite author Anne Frank. The bond between the two girls deepens as they share secrets and support each other through difficult times. Treasure lives with her grandmother in a housing project and India is the daughter of a famous designer--but they both keep diaries, and when chance brings them together, India decides to hide Treasure from an abusive stepfather as if she were India's heroine, Anne Frank.
Age
9-11
Length
254 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Treasure
India
Treasure'S Nan
Treasure'S Mother
Terry
India'S Mother
Discussion points
What did you think about the friendship between Treasure and India? How do you think their secrets affected their relationship?
How do the characters in the book deal with their problems? Can you think of alternative ways they might have handled them?
Why do you think Treasure and India felt they needed to keep secrets? What would you do if you were in their situation?
How do the family dynamics in the book compare to our own? What can we learn from the way different families interact?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters' decisions and actions, validating their thoughts and drawing parallels to their own experiences.
Discuss the significance of trust and honesty in friendships and family relationships, using examples from the book to highlight these themes.
Invite your child to come up with alternative endings or solutions to the characters' dilemmas, fostering creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Use the book’s setting and historical context as a starting point to explore and compare different lifestyles and social issues.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'Secrets', the characters India and Treasure form a bond despite their varied backgrounds, teaching children the value of empathy by understanding each other's life challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being open to friendships with peers who come from different backgrounds, learning to appreciate diverse perspectives from an early age.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Both main characters in the book face personal adversities, demonstrating the importance of resilience. Treasure's life at home is tumultuous, but her friendship with India shows how she copes and remains hopeful.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face their own challenges with a resilient attitude, understanding that perseverance is key to overcoming difficult situations.
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, Treasure and India learn the value of being honest with each other and themselves, which strengthens their friendship and personal integrity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice honesty in their daily interactions, fostering trust and authenticity in relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage to seek help
Explanation: Treasure shows bravery by reaching out for help when she faces unsafe circumstances at home, emphasizing the importance of seeking assistance during tough times.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to seek help from trusted adults, such as parents or teachers, when facing unsafe or uncomfortable situations.