The Little Secret

by Kate Saunders, William Carman (Illustrator)

Overview

Jane is spending the summer with her odd new friend, Staffa, going to parties and wearing fancy dresses. Staffa's slightly scary mother, Lady Matilda, tells crazy stories, drinks a vile-smelling tea, and never strays far from a glowing painted box that the girls are under strict orders never, ever to open. But Jane can't resist; upon opening it, she is sucked into an amazing and terrifying new world so small that insects are the size of horses. Jane knows she must escape immediately or be trapped forever. But first, she has to wrangle a flying bumblebee, rescue the king, and free the people of Eck.

Kate Saunders's The Little Secret takes readers into a wildly imaginative miniaturized world of castle balls, death-defying bee riders, and giant racing spiders. A world where wicked plots are hatched, exciting rescues staged, and where the power of friendship can be a match for even the most dastardly of villains.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312674274
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	04/24/2012
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.18(w) x 7.46(h) x 0.67(d)
Lexile:	680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Kate Saunders worked as an actress until she was twenty-five and then became a writer. She has written books for children, books for adults, and many, many articles for magazines and newspapers. She lives with her family (and her cats) in London. She has never ridden a bee, but she's certainly had an adventure or two.

William Carman draws pictures in his studio in Boise, Idaho, where he also has a family. Though his house is more like an Animal Garden than a Boy Garden, he enjoys living there anyway. He has received many honors for his artwork, including a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Whenever he has a chance, he fishes.

Read an Excerpt

“Before I leave, however,” Lady Matilda said, “I must remind you—both of you—to take very special care of the painted box.” The box was resting on a chair beside her. She patted it fondly. “Remember that it must never be tilted or jolted, but carried upright at all times. Staffa, if you're walking any distance with the box, please wear the harness—we can’t risk dropping it.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Jane saw that the painted box was immensely valuable. Staffa and her mother were very serious.
“When you arrive at the hotel tonight,” Lady Matilda went on, “don’t allow anyone else to carry the box to its room. And don’t forget to set the two candlesticks in front of it right away. You’d better keep the key to the box’s room under your pillow. Most important of all—Jane, I hope you’re listening to this!”
“Yes, Lady Matilda.”
“Most important of all, THE BOX MUST NEVER BE OPENED! Do you understand?”

Editorial Reviews

This well-blended mix of romantic fantasy and gripping adventure, starring heroic girls, will speak to a broad audience.” —Publishers Weekly

“Children cannot help but be entranced by this Borrowers-like fantasy that mixes just enough otherworldliness with the realities of home, family, and friends to make one willingly suspend disbelief. The short chapters, introduced by well-executed black-and-white thumbnail sketches, are fast paced and clearly written. The many details, particularly those from the perspective of creatures much smaller than humans, add interest to an already-captivating story…The plot twists and turns enhance the tale and make one eager to buy into the protagonist's adventures. Furthermore, Jane's willingness to befriend those who are different will be a welcome message for today's readers.” —School Library Journal

“Will intrigue many readers with well-imagined details of a strange land and the rather childlike adventures that take place there. Fine black-and-white illustrations at the chapter heads add to the book's charm.” —Booklist

“The spry mix of action, friendship and good-besting-evil has undeniable appeal.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Girls will devour Kate Saunders's The Little Secret.” —The Times (London)

“A special book . . . perfect for older girls, about an unusual friendship and a box to rival Pandora's.” —The Observer (London)

From the Publisher

In this quirky and appealing British import, down-to-earth Jane, 11, who has six unruly brothers (and is often mistaken for a boy herself), finds her ordinary life changing when peculiar Staffa enrolls in her class and chooses her for a best friend. Staffa's mother, enormous Lady Matilda, is even stranger: wealthy, generous and yet frightening, she invites Jane to journey home with them for vacation. Jane is intrigued by their obsession with a painted box, which turns out to be the portal to a miniature kingdom where they reign, to which she is transported with them. Jane is drawn into what appears to be a fairy tale come true and is mesmerized by her ball gowns and jewels (“She looked like every girl's secret idea of a princess”), but she soon picks up forebodings of ill will and evil deeds. The fairy tale turns into a fast-paced story of political revolution, in which Jane plays an important role. This well-blended mix of romantic fantasy and gripping adventure, starring heroic girls, will speak to a broad audience. Ages 8–11. (July)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 3–6—Jane, a British 11-year-old, is intrigued by the new girl, Staffa. The two enjoy all sorts of activities together, and Staffa's rather bombastic mother, Lady Matilda, invites her to visit them for the summer. Unbeknownst to Jane, if she accepts, she will become a pawn in a vicious plot that will prevent her from ever going home again. Through the vehicle of a dollhouselike box, Jane travels from her own world to that of a magical kingdom terrorized by Matilda, the dictatorial queen. She befriends the Eckers—the queen's fieldmouse-like subjects—and learns of their plans to overthrow the tyrant. When their revolution seems almost doomed, Jane courageously agrees to lead a rescue mission to free the imprisoned king. With the victory complete, Jane is able to return home. Children cannot help but be entranced by this Borrowers-like fantasy that mixes just enough otherworldliness with the realities of home, family, and friends to make one willingly suspend disbelief. The short chapters, introduced by well-executed black-and-white thumbnail sketches, are fast paced and clearly written. The many details, particularly those from the perspective of creatures much smaller than humans, add interest to an already-captivating story. While the rescue plan may be a bit contrived and the ending is predictable, they don't deter from the lively spirit and spunky characters that fill Saunders's text. The plot twists and turns enhance the tale and make one eager to buy into the protagonist's adventures. Furthermore, Jane's willingness to befriend those who are different will be a welcome message for today's readers.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, formerly at LaSalle Academy,Providence, RI

School Library Journal

This thickly plotted fantasy knits together familiar strands-a parallel world, adventure in a calamitous kingdom and an evil queen's machinations. Jane, a lonely girl in a family of rambunctious brothers, befriends Staffa, a strange new classmate who's only passing through. Staffa's both prim and bold yet seems stifled by her overbearing mother, "Lady" Matilda. Jane's intrigued by the mysterious, ornately painted box that Staffa and Matilda treat with infinite care. When Jane's parents approve her school's-end holiday to Staffa's home, the narrative burgeons to include the transmogrification of Jane and her hosts, a magically diminutive kingdom where farmed bees loom big as cattle and slug meat is a staple and the unfolding of Queen Matilda's sinister plans for Jane. Rebels led by her own son battle to overthrow the queen, and Jane both abets the campaign and subsequently right-sizes, regaining home. Certain elements-like the correspondence between the box and the kingdom of Eckwald-are rather confusingly explained, but the spry mix of action, friendship and good-besting-evil has undeniable appeal. (Fantasy. 8-11)

Kirkus Reviews