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Lizzie McLane #1
The Secret of Me: A Novel in Verse
A vivid, heartfelt tale of a teenager's poetic quest to discover her place within her adoptive family and within the wider world.
Being adopted is a fact of life in the McLane fourteen-year-old Lizzie, as well as her older brother and sister were adopted as infants. But dry facts rarely encompass feelings, and what it feels like to be adopted is something Lizzie never dares openly discuss with her loving parents—let alone with outsiders. More and more Lizzie yearns to confide in others, especially her boyfriend, Peter. But something stops her. Will Peter think she is "less" because her birthmother gave her away? Would telling be disloyal to her adoptive parents?
Told entirely through the poems Lizzie writes for herself, this intimate, moving story gives voice to the thoughts Lizzie cannot utter aloud. Lizzie transforms relationships and events in her daily life—family dinners, the school dance, hanging out with friends—into blues poems, list poems, sonnets, sestinas, and free verse that delve into her secret wishes and her fears. Often Lizzie feels like two the person everyone knows, and the one known to precious few. But when a tragic accident occurs, Lizzie finds the courage to say who she truly is and to set off on a new path of self-discovery and truth.
In an Afterword the author discusses her own experience as an adopted child and how writing can help make sense of one's life. Also included are a Guide to Poetic Forms and an Appendix of Poems (poems referred to in the novel, by Lucille Clifton, Hayden Carruth, Anne Sexton, Donald Hall, and others).
Being adopted is a fact of life in the McLane fourteen-year-old Lizzie, as well as her older brother and sister were adopted as infants. But dry facts rarely encompass feelings, and what it feels like to be adopted is something Lizzie never dares openly discuss with her loving parents—let alone with outsiders. More and more Lizzie yearns to confide in others, especially her boyfriend, Peter. But something stops her. Will Peter think she is "less" because her birthmother gave her away? Would telling be disloyal to her adoptive parents?
Told entirely through the poems Lizzie writes for herself, this intimate, moving story gives voice to the thoughts Lizzie cannot utter aloud. Lizzie transforms relationships and events in her daily life—family dinners, the school dance, hanging out with friends—into blues poems, list poems, sonnets, sestinas, and free verse that delve into her secret wishes and her fears. Often Lizzie feels like two the person everyone knows, and the one known to precious few. But when a tragic accident occurs, Lizzie finds the courage to say who she truly is and to set off on a new path of self-discovery and truth.
In an Afterword the author discusses her own experience as an adopted child and how writing can help make sense of one's life. Also included are a Guide to Poetic Forms and an Appendix of Poems (poems referred to in the novel, by Lucille Clifton, Hayden Carruth, Anne Sexton, Donald Hall, and others).
128 pages, Hardcover
First published December 16, 2005
3 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Meg Kearney
16 books16 followersMeg Kearney (pronounced “car-nee”)
Meg Kearney’s most recent collection of poems for adults is All Morning the Crows, winner of the 2020 Washington Prize, which spent 7 months of 2021 on Small Press Distribution's poetry bestseller list. Her heroic crown of sonnets, The Ice Storm, was published as a chapbook by Green Linen Press in 2020. Her collection of poems Home By Now (Four Way Books 2009) was winner of the 2010 PEN New England LL Winship Award; it was also a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year. The title poem of Home By Now is included in Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems: American Places anthology (Viking Penguin 2011). Meg’s first collection of poetry, An Unkindness of Ravens, was published by BOA Editions Ltd. in 2001.
Meg is also author of a trilogy of novels in verse for teens—all of which come with teacher’s guides: The Secret of Me (Persea Books, 2005); The Girl in the Mirror (Persea Books, 2012); and When You Never Said Goodbye (Persea Books, 2017). Her story “Chalk” appears in Sudden Flash Youth: 65 Short Short Stories (Persea Books 2011).
Meg’s first picture book, Trouper (the three-legged dog), was published by Scholastic in November 2013 and illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Winner of the 2015 Kentucky Bluegrass Award and the Missouri Association of School Librarians’ Show Me Readers Award (Grades 1 – 3), Trouper was selected as one of the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People of 2014; one of the most “Diverse and Impressive Picture Books of 2013” by the International Reading Association, and one of the 2013-14 season's best picture books by the Christian Science Monitor, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, and Bank Street College of Education. It was also a 2013 Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California Distinguished Book, and a Nominee for the 2014-2015 Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Book Award (Grades 2-3).
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey chose Meg’s poem “Grackle” for the 2017 Best American Poetry anthology. Meg’s poetry has also been featured on Poetry Daily and Garrison Keillor’s “A Writer’s Almanac,” and has been published in such publications as Poetry, Agni, and The Kenyon Review. Her work also is featured in the anthologies Where Icarus Falls (Santa Barbara Review Publications, 1998), Urban Nature (Milkweed Press, 2000), Poets Grimm (Storyline Press, 2003), Never Before: Poems About First Experiences (Four Way Books, 2005), Shade (Four Way Books, 2006), The Book of Irish American Poetry from the Eighteenth Century to the Present (Notre Dame Press, 2006), Conversation Pieces: Poems That Talk to Other Poems (Knopf, Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets series, 2007); Sinatra: But Buddy, I’m a Kind of Poem (Entasis Press, 2008), The Best of the Bellevue Literary Review (Bellevue Literary Press, 2008), The Incredible Sestina Anthology (Write Bloody, 2013), and Double Kiss: Stories, Poems, & Essays on the Art of Billiards (Mammoth Books, 2017). Her nonfiction essay, “Hello, Mother, Goodbye,” appears The Movable Nest: A Mother/Daughter Companion (Helicon Nine Press in fall 2007). She is also co-editor of Blues for Bill: A Tribute to William Matthews (Akron University Press, 2005).
Meg is Founding Director of the Solstice Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. For eleven years prior to joining Pine Manor, she was Associate Director of the National Book Foundation (sponsor of the National Book Awards) in New York City. She also taught poetry at the New School University. Early in her career, she organized educational programs and conducted power plant tours for a gas & electric company in upstate New York.
In 2019, Marge Piercy chose Meg’s manuscript Bird for the Rochelle Ratner Memorial Award (a cash but not publication prize from Marsh Hawk Press). She is the recipient of an Individual Artist’s Fellowship from the New Hampshire Council on th
Meg Kearney’s most recent collection of poems for adults is All Morning the Crows, winner of the 2020 Washington Prize, which spent 7 months of 2021 on Small Press Distribution's poetry bestseller list. Her heroic crown of sonnets, The Ice Storm, was published as a chapbook by Green Linen Press in 2020. Her collection of poems Home By Now (Four Way Books 2009) was winner of the 2010 PEN New England LL Winship Award; it was also a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year. The title poem of Home By Now is included in Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems: American Places anthology (Viking Penguin 2011). Meg’s first collection of poetry, An Unkindness of Ravens, was published by BOA Editions Ltd. in 2001.
Meg is also author of a trilogy of novels in verse for teens—all of which come with teacher’s guides: The Secret of Me (Persea Books, 2005); The Girl in the Mirror (Persea Books, 2012); and When You Never Said Goodbye (Persea Books, 2017). Her story “Chalk” appears in Sudden Flash Youth: 65 Short Short Stories (Persea Books 2011).
Meg’s first picture book, Trouper (the three-legged dog), was published by Scholastic in November 2013 and illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Winner of the 2015 Kentucky Bluegrass Award and the Missouri Association of School Librarians’ Show Me Readers Award (Grades 1 – 3), Trouper was selected as one of the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People of 2014; one of the most “Diverse and Impressive Picture Books of 2013” by the International Reading Association, and one of the 2013-14 season's best picture books by the Christian Science Monitor, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, and Bank Street College of Education. It was also a 2013 Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California Distinguished Book, and a Nominee for the 2014-2015 Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Book Award (Grades 2-3).
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey chose Meg’s poem “Grackle” for the 2017 Best American Poetry anthology. Meg’s poetry has also been featured on Poetry Daily and Garrison Keillor’s “A Writer’s Almanac,” and has been published in such publications as Poetry, Agni, and The Kenyon Review. Her work also is featured in the anthologies Where Icarus Falls (Santa Barbara Review Publications, 1998), Urban Nature (Milkweed Press, 2000), Poets Grimm (Storyline Press, 2003), Never Before: Poems About First Experiences (Four Way Books, 2005), Shade (Four Way Books, 2006), The Book of Irish American Poetry from the Eighteenth Century to the Present (Notre Dame Press, 2006), Conversation Pieces: Poems That Talk to Other Poems (Knopf, Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets series, 2007); Sinatra: But Buddy, I’m a Kind of Poem (Entasis Press, 2008), The Best of the Bellevue Literary Review (Bellevue Literary Press, 2008), The Incredible Sestina Anthology (Write Bloody, 2013), and Double Kiss: Stories, Poems, & Essays on the Art of Billiards (Mammoth Books, 2017). Her nonfiction essay, “Hello, Mother, Goodbye,” appears The Movable Nest: A Mother/Daughter Companion (Helicon Nine Press in fall 2007). She is also co-editor of Blues for Bill: A Tribute to William Matthews (Akron University Press, 2005).
Meg is Founding Director of the Solstice Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. For eleven years prior to joining Pine Manor, she was Associate Director of the National Book Foundation (sponsor of the National Book Awards) in New York City. She also taught poetry at the New School University. Early in her career, she organized educational programs and conducted power plant tours for a gas & electric company in upstate New York.
In 2019, Marge Piercy chose Meg’s manuscript Bird for the Rochelle Ratner Memorial Award (a cash but not publication prize from Marsh Hawk Press). She is the recipient of an Individual Artist’s Fellowship from the New Hampshire Council on th
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 23, 2021
the f- did i just read. this novel is basically just someone telling people shes adopted and people acting like they care.
November 3, 2008
What I liked about this book was the variety of poetic forms that the author used in this novel in verse, and the fact that she explained what they were at the end of the book. The story is about a 14-year-old girl whose adoptive family does not encourage talk about adoption and birthparents. The girl, Lizzie, is of the age where she wonders about her birthmother and her true ethnic lineage. However, she's not encouraged to talk about it at home and is afraid to talk about it with anyone else except for two friends of hers who are also adopted. She sees it as a social stigma that will lose her friends and boyfriends if they find out. The author includes information at the end of the book about her own experiences with being adopted and some facts about adoption in the U.S. I recommend this book for anyone who has been adopted or who has adopted children themselves.
February 26, 2010
Plot summary:
Lizzie McLane was adopted as an infant, along with her older brother and sister. While their adoptions aren't necessarily taboo subjects at home, Lizzie has yet to admit to the outside world that she's adopted. As her desire to find her birthmother increases, she discovers a tension between being loyal to her adopted parents and wanting to know more about her birthmom, her genes, and why she was given up in the first place. She must decide if she will confront her past or keep avioding the truth. The novel is told in poetry form, making it a lyrical, beautiful, and moving read.
Main Characters:
Lizzie-a kindhearted, confused, and curious teenage girl who struggles with her identity. She relies on reading and writing poetry to bring her comfort and to help sort through her emotions. Her circle of friends, several of whom have been adopted as well, give her security and a sense of belonging when she needs it most. She also has a crush on Peter and wonders: Does he like her back? Will he accept her for who she is once he hears about her past?
Jan, Barb, Toshi, and Deb-These are Lizzie's dearest friends. They support and love each other. They encourage Lizzie to find her birthmother. Will she listen to them?
Kate-Lizzie's big sister, who gives her sound advice and seems to know her best of all.
Bob-Lizzie's big brother. He does not like discussing his adoption and does not understand Lizzie's desire to find her birthmother. He enjoys picking on his two siblings, but, nonetheless, the three of them are close.
Lizzie's adopted Mom-She is kind and sweet. Will Lizzie hurt her mom's feelings if she searches for her birthmother?
Lizzie's adopted Dad-Lizzie is very close with him. He reads her poetry, encourages her to talk to him, and is there for her no matter what.
Key issues:
adoption, identity, what makes a family, secrets, friendship, taboo subjects, abondonment, rejection, the power of poetry and writing in general.
Quotes I loved:
"When dad gets sick, it's like we've all been hit by this huge wave that none of us saw coming, even though we know there's always a wave out there somewhere, maybe heading our way" (21).
"Poetry is a way to eat your life" [quoted from Jack Gilbert:] (115).
Interesting info:
The author includes a lot of helpful information in the back of the book. She defines and explains various forms of poetry used throughout the novel. She lists resources for helping students who may be struggling with some of Lizzie's same issues.
Lizzie McLane was adopted as an infant, along with her older brother and sister. While their adoptions aren't necessarily taboo subjects at home, Lizzie has yet to admit to the outside world that she's adopted. As her desire to find her birthmother increases, she discovers a tension between being loyal to her adopted parents and wanting to know more about her birthmom, her genes, and why she was given up in the first place. She must decide if she will confront her past or keep avioding the truth. The novel is told in poetry form, making it a lyrical, beautiful, and moving read.
Main Characters:
Lizzie-a kindhearted, confused, and curious teenage girl who struggles with her identity. She relies on reading and writing poetry to bring her comfort and to help sort through her emotions. Her circle of friends, several of whom have been adopted as well, give her security and a sense of belonging when she needs it most. She also has a crush on Peter and wonders: Does he like her back? Will he accept her for who she is once he hears about her past?
Jan, Barb, Toshi, and Deb-These are Lizzie's dearest friends. They support and love each other. They encourage Lizzie to find her birthmother. Will she listen to them?
Kate-Lizzie's big sister, who gives her sound advice and seems to know her best of all.
Bob-Lizzie's big brother. He does not like discussing his adoption and does not understand Lizzie's desire to find her birthmother. He enjoys picking on his two siblings, but, nonetheless, the three of them are close.
Lizzie's adopted Mom-She is kind and sweet. Will Lizzie hurt her mom's feelings if she searches for her birthmother?
Lizzie's adopted Dad-Lizzie is very close with him. He reads her poetry, encourages her to talk to him, and is there for her no matter what.
Key issues:
adoption, identity, what makes a family, secrets, friendship, taboo subjects, abondonment, rejection, the power of poetry and writing in general.
Quotes I loved:
"When dad gets sick, it's like we've all been hit by this huge wave that none of us saw coming, even though we know there's always a wave out there somewhere, maybe heading our way" (21).
"Poetry is a way to eat your life" [quoted from Jack Gilbert:] (115).
Interesting info:
The author includes a lot of helpful information in the back of the book. She defines and explains various forms of poetry used throughout the novel. She lists resources for helping students who may be struggling with some of Lizzie's same issues.
March 20, 2009
I really enjoyed this book, it took me so long to read because I didn't like the cover (still don't)and kept choosing others with nicer covers over this one. This novel in verse tugs at your heart. Lizzie is a young teen who is adopted and has a wonderful family (with 2 other adopted siblings)but wants to know more about her birth mother. She also has 2 friends who are adopted so you get to see many thoughts and feelings depending on who Lizzie is interacting with. The author includes an afterword that I found very useful and interesting; people inspired her, the autobiographical information and a GUIDE to the POETICS in the book (fun). What I really loved was seeing that the author, Meg Kearney was influenced by Jacqueline Woodson's book, Locomotion--WHICH I have always loved because Lonnie is soooo special and his predicament of losing both parents in a fire and then he and his siter split up because of different foster families is so heart wrenchingly difficult for Lonnie and you the reader can feel his ache and pain in wanting to be with his sister.
January 28, 2016
The struggles Lizzie McLane faces are not those of the average teenager. Lizzie is adopted, but only her family (her brother and sister are adopted) and her closest friends (who are also adopted) know her secret. That is until Lizzie realizes that her 'secret' isn't as horrible as she believes.
This is a fantastic novel about coping with adoption and explores the fear and desire to contact a birthmother. Lizzie's sister and her friends offer wonderful support and advice--both about her secret and her crush. Some might feel that it wraps up too nicely, and to some degree it does, but the emotions and discussions regarding adoption are quire relevant and real.
This is a fantastic novel about coping with adoption and explores the fear and desire to contact a birthmother. Lizzie's sister and her friends offer wonderful support and advice--both about her secret and her crush. Some might feel that it wraps up too nicely, and to some degree it does, but the emotions and discussions regarding adoption are quire relevant and real.
June 23, 2011
This brief novel in verse is semi-autobiographical, and it shows. It's a perspective on adoption I don't think I've seen before, but then I don't read much adoption centered fiction. The main character, like the author, was adopted as a baby. She loves her adoptive family, wants to know more about her biological family, and feels conflicted and disloyal about that desire. Is this common? I don't know, but it makes sense to me if it is, because all of the emotions made sense in this book.
April 4, 2015
A semi-autobiographical collection of free verse and formal poetry. The Secret of Me tells the story of 14-year-old Lizzie as she wrestles with her feelings about being adopted while also balancing the typical teenage angst over schoolwork, friends, and boys. I very much enjoyed seeing adoption through this perspective and imagine this book to be a great addition to any preteen/teen classroom library.
May 25, 2013
The subtitle to this book is A Novel in Poems. The poems are written by the main character, a young girl who is coming to terms with being adopted. It would make an excellent gift for any child concerned about the issue. I liked the extra touches: a section of the girl's favorite poems by famous authors and a short essay about adoption in general.
June 7, 2009
This novel in verse is a quick read that tells the story of adopted fourteen year old Lizzie and her questions of vlaue, validity, and origin.
December 29, 2009
The brevity of words with the hugeness of story. One of the best stories about being adopted.
August 9, 2011
A young girl struggles to know who she really is in the novel in verse about the complications of adoption for all involved.
September 27, 2011
it was a good book it was in the poem format it was really cool
August 30, 2012
The entire story was told through various types of poems. This book deals with adoption from the perspective of an adopted child wanting to find out about her birth parents.
March 23, 2017
English (poetry unit)
I liked this book because of how Meg Kearney has written a collection of poems that tell a story of an adopted girl. Elizabeth (aka Lizzie) and her older brother and sister were adopted, she always asks who her real mother was and why she gave her away, she always wanted to know where she came from, she fears to talk about this a lot at home, but she talks about it with her other adopted friends. Lizzie is a poet, she writes all her thoughts in her poems, she writes thoughts, questions and secrets that she cannot say aloud. But when suddenly an accident happens, Lizzie says who she is. In the afterward, the author (Meg Kearney) discusses how some things in the story of Lizzie did really happen in her life and some of these poems are based on her life, she talks about her own experience as an adopted girl. I recommend this book to readers who like poetry.
I liked this book because of how Meg Kearney has written a collection of poems that tell a story of an adopted girl. Elizabeth (aka Lizzie) and her older brother and sister were adopted, she always asks who her real mother was and why she gave her away, she always wanted to know where she came from, she fears to talk about this a lot at home, but she talks about it with her other adopted friends. Lizzie is a poet, she writes all her thoughts in her poems, she writes thoughts, questions and secrets that she cannot say aloud. But when suddenly an accident happens, Lizzie says who she is. In the afterward, the author (Meg Kearney) discusses how some things in the story of Lizzie did really happen in her life and some of these poems are based on her life, she talks about her own experience as an adopted girl. I recommend this book to readers who like poetry.
September 24, 2018
Have you ever been adopted? Are there lots of questions you want to ask your birth parents? This story is about a girl named Lizzie who holds the secret that she is adopted. She needs to decide if telling the people she's close to about this will change everything. The story is in poems in which you find out all about Lizzie's thoughts. Read to find out if the secret is told.
Genre: Novel in Verse
Theme: Finding your way as as an adoptee
Year Published: 2005
Genre: Novel in Verse
Theme: Finding your way as as an adoptee
Year Published: 2005
March 23, 2021
This book discouraged me from ever adopting kids
cool poems tho
cool poems tho
March 26, 2021
umm I just don't like poems
and its format
very confusing
and its format
very confusing
June 22, 2017
Meg Kearney does such a beautiful job in this verse novel about Lizzie's desire to know who her birth mother is and her guilt at the thought of hurting her parents, whom she loves so very much. I loved Lizzie's journey, the emotional rawness in her poems, and the family that's come out of love. I also really enjoyed the different poetic forms, along with the back matter that explained them and provided examples.
June 1, 2010
I found this on my boyfriend's bed-stand when he was borrowing it from the library, and since he was busy doing some work on his computer, I started reading it. What instantly struck me was how so many of the feelings and thoughts I've experienced as an adopted child, and that I've never been able to truly share with anyone else, even my few adopted friends, were THERE. It was like I was reading my own thoughts, except that I didn't write it. They're not even things I necessarily thing about consciously, but little things about how I've lived my life differently. The family trees that never feel quite right. Always having to check "unknown" on the medical history portion of my yearly physical paperwork. Having to tell my science teacher I couldn't do certain labs on genetics because I didn't know whether my mother had a widow's peak or if my father could roll his tounge into a tube. Explaining to everyone that yes, I have a French-Canadian last name, but no, I have no French-Canadian genetics. Feeling a little uncomfortable and left out when other people discuss stories from when their mother's pregnancy and their birth.
It's checked out under my name now, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
6/1/10: As I read this, one thing that I sympathized with but could not empathize with is Lizzie's fear of alienation if she tells her "secret", and just how mean people and/or ignorant are about it all. For me, being adopted has never been a secret or had any stigma attached to it, and it seems strange to me that other people are so mean and ignorant about it. I was NEVER stigmatized for being adopted, never ashamed of it. It was simply a part of who I was, like being a girl, or being a flute player.
So, now that I've read this, I'm less amazed by the familiarity of it, but curious to read about another possible experience of adoption than I had.
It's checked out under my name now, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
6/1/10: As I read this, one thing that I sympathized with but could not empathize with is Lizzie's fear of alienation if she tells her "secret", and just how mean people and/or ignorant are about it all. For me, being adopted has never been a secret or had any stigma attached to it, and it seems strange to me that other people are so mean and ignorant about it. I was NEVER stigmatized for being adopted, never ashamed of it. It was simply a part of who I was, like being a girl, or being a flute player.
So, now that I've read this, I'm less amazed by the familiarity of it, but curious to read about another possible experience of adoption than I had.
February 23, 2016
Told in verse, this is the story of a teen adoptee struggling with identity issues and desperately desiring to know more about her family of origin. Her dad is open to discussing this with her, but Lizzie doesn't know where to start. She knows her mother is very uncomfortable with the subject. Lizzie is the youngest of three adopted children in her family, and her two older siblings advise her not to risk hurting her mother's feelings by bringing up the issue. Fortunately Lizzie has several friends who are also adopted and with whom she can discuss her feelings.
Since I'm both an adoptee and adoptive mother, this is a subject that's close to my heart and about which I've read a great deal. This one didn't do much for me, though. And I was surprised that the bibliography at the end contained few new titles, but many dating from the mid-90s.
Since I'm both an adoptee and adoptive mother, this is a subject that's close to my heart and about which I've read a great deal. This one didn't do much for me, though. And I was surprised that the bibliography at the end contained few new titles, but many dating from the mid-90s.
January 30, 2017
This book was very good. There was different characters who i had different personalities but where all friends. The main character was very curious and always had something on her mind. She kept certain things to herself. Instead of telling people how she felt, she wrote it down. She wanted to know more about where she came from, or why she got what color her hair is or why its curly and not straight. She also wonders why its a secret that she is adopted, why her family doesnt talk about it outside of their home.
August 20, 2023
I was desperate to find a poetry book! Even if it was probably below my grade level because I don't read poems often so I had to start somewhere. I liked the last poem, of her reading to her dad and mother, where she finally got to speak of her feelings of adoption. Meg Kearney's essay at the end describing her life was interesting and gave more insight to the poems, it was interesting to find out she was adopted too. My favorite poem in the collections at the end was definitely "The Cows at Night" and I'm looking for more poetry like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2016
This is a sweet book about the topic of adoption and I think would be a very nice read for anyone dealing with these issues. Personally, I didn't quite understand why it was such a "secret" and I keep waiting for another (more juicy) secret to happen. The main character is 14 and this almost felt like a middle grade book to me. Nice and sweet, without any of the darker elements I like to see in YA books. But it was a nice read.
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November 9, 2016lizzie was adopted along with her brother and sister and they where adopted when they where infants!
Lizzie finally told her friends because they each shared a really deep dark secret and that was hers! she wants to tell more people but her adopted parents don't want her to tell anyone beacuse they don't want people treating and looking at her different! but lizzie is dating this boy now and he doesn't want any secrets between them! but she just can't tell him and she really wants to!
Lizzie finally told her friends because they each shared a really deep dark secret and that was hers! she wants to tell more people but her adopted parents don't want her to tell anyone beacuse they don't want people treating and looking at her different! but lizzie is dating this boy now and he doesn't want any secrets between them! but she just can't tell him and she really wants to!
August 4, 2017
I really like books in verse. Unfortunately, this book didn't keep me engaged or interested. I am glad that it ended the way it did for Lizzie, but I just couldn't get excited about this book.
January 26, 2012
A novel in verse in which Elizabeth copes with her feelings about being adopted.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews