Terrible Secrets of the Tell-All Club

December 1, 2009
Gr 4-6-When Kiley decides to start a club, she really has ulterior motivesshe wants to know if fellow fifth grader T.J. likes her. She puts together a questionnaire for kids who want to join, asking innocuous questions such as, "What is your favorite salad dressing?" and "What is your favorite color?," just so #50 won't seem so obvious, "Who do you like? (REALLY like, not just as a friend kind of like)." Her plan backfires when Anne, mad at Josh, writes nasty things about him, and Josh's brother types that Josh likes Anne and hits send on the computer, and T.J. seems to like someone mysterious named Katie. The result is hurt feelings and misunderstandings galore. It is during the fifth-grade outdoor-recreation camp that all unravels and the true motives of Kiley's club are revealed. T.J., afraid that his pet rat, Katie, will die if he leaves her home, brings her to camp and she escapes. The ensuing search for her brings the friends back together, as they begin to mature and see their own personal strengths in the process. Told in the four voices of the club members, the story shows the characters' insecurities and the family issues they face. Reluctant readers will find it fast paced, easy to follow, and populated with likable personalities."Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.