Things I'll Never Say: Stories About Our Secret Selves

Reviewed by: Kristin Taylor - Biddeford high School, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2015

Review

Editor Ann Angel has brought together 15 young authors to write about their perspectives on secrets. The short stories written by Chris Lynch, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ellen Wittlinger, Zoe Marriott and others write about whether secrets make you stronger or weaker; alter your world when discovered; and whether or not you are willing to share your inner most secrets at all. This would be a 14 and up level book due to some of the topics discussed. Another fine example of the writings from some of our favorite authors!

Each short story is well developed and the different types of secrets revealed in each make the reader think of things that they too have keep secret and what the consequences would be if ever revealed. You feel for the characters in the stories and sympathize with them when their secrets have come to light. These are common secrets and share the same type of stigmatism and/or shame that would be expected to accompany the secret.

This book could be an outstanding group discussion book on "What If's" -- you were a hoarder or you knew someone that was, on drugs, committed a crime, etc.

Overall Book Score: excellent