A review by ktkumpf
The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is a very middle grade book that I loved as a kid and am rereading for the nostalgia factor as I have been struggling with a pretty bad reading slump. It has all the flaws you would expect when revisiting something for a profoundly different (younger) audience - the plot is predictable, the story that once challenged and excited you now feels spoon-fed, there are some phrases that don't age well because the world has changed a lot since 2007. BUT I can so easily see why I loved this book series when I was around the age of the kids in the book! It is perfect for late elementary school early middle school kids who are interested in darker themes (murder, secret societies, cults, etc.) in a way that is still age appropriate. It also has the plus of incorporating a lot of second person (where the author talks to you, and "censors" parts of the story to deepen the feeling of mystery and realness) and ergodic elements (footnotes and back of the book appendices which constituted the first time those had been incorporated into my reading experience as a kid) that are fairly unique in middle grade fiction. If you are 9-12 years old I think you should give this series a try, and if you're the older sibling, parent, aunt/uncle, teacher, etc. of kids those age this is a great option!