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Secret Teddy Society: Breaking The Code
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Teddies don t have claws - at least not real ones. That s what Waldo was thinking as he watched his best friend turn into a Were-bear by the moonlight. Waldo had no idea that a string of events would unwind all because he and Bobby Bear were caught going after the milk in the fridge by James, a stay-at-home dad trying to write his first book. Nothing happens in the teddy world that the Council doesn t find out about because of the Teddy Network; and "no moving in front of a human" is the first rule of the Teddy Code. It s only a matter of time before a punishment is determined for the two bears - but what and when? Sometimes the waiting can be worse than the punishment itself. Fluffy hasn t been heard from since he was caught moving. James begins to write about the daily adventures of Bobby Bear and Waldo not realizing the harm that he may be causing to the Secret Teddy Society. Waldo s timing for breaking the Code couldn t have been worse! The teddy world had been quiet for the last hundred years or so, but that is about to change. The Teddy Council is facing the evils of power and corruption, a product of human influence. Ballinger is convinced that Theodore is too old to run the Council and will stop at nothing to prove it. This book provides a rare look inside a secret culture we know very little about.
394 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Gilmore
1 book12 followersObservation and mimicry have been my tools of learning. I have become a thief of character. I find things about people that I admire and steal those positive attributes, quickly disguising them as my own.
Quick story: In speaking with an old family friend one day I realized that he was leaning forward so he could hear me. His eyes were focused on mine when an awareness emerged. By nothing more than listening intently to what I was saying - he gave me a sense of importance, of consideration. Noticing this affect was important. Making others feel this way became my personal goal. Listening to others in the same manner, simply put, is considerate. So I stole that from him and have made it mine.
Being preached to has a negative affect on me. I figure others are the same. So, I don't preach. Besides, I don't really have anything to say. But I can be myself and hope that it has a positive impact on those that observe. Just like my mom and dad did with me. Their actions were louder than their words.
My new book is really about actions over words. The Secret Teddy Society is about teddy bears that come to life. But it's more about who they are and how they got that way. They watch and learn everything from us. While we think we're alone, they're watching. They copy and emulate the person they love the most much like our children. Sprinkled with wonderful situations of life, this book is aimed at anyone who believes in life that lives outside our peripheral vision. It may be about teddy bears but when they meet up with an alley bum in the city they learn about personal choices and responsibilities for your actions. I had so much fun writing this book that I think I'll write another.
I hope to make an impact on you. Hopefully, a good one.
Quick story: In speaking with an old family friend one day I realized that he was leaning forward so he could hear me. His eyes were focused on mine when an awareness emerged. By nothing more than listening intently to what I was saying - he gave me a sense of importance, of consideration. Noticing this affect was important. Making others feel this way became my personal goal. Listening to others in the same manner, simply put, is considerate. So I stole that from him and have made it mine.
Being preached to has a negative affect on me. I figure others are the same. So, I don't preach. Besides, I don't really have anything to say. But I can be myself and hope that it has a positive impact on those that observe. Just like my mom and dad did with me. Their actions were louder than their words.
My new book is really about actions over words. The Secret Teddy Society is about teddy bears that come to life. But it's more about who they are and how they got that way. They watch and learn everything from us. While we think we're alone, they're watching. They copy and emulate the person they love the most much like our children. Sprinkled with wonderful situations of life, this book is aimed at anyone who believes in life that lives outside our peripheral vision. It may be about teddy bears but when they meet up with an alley bum in the city they learn about personal choices and responsibilities for your actions. I had so much fun writing this book that I think I'll write another.
I hope to make an impact on you. Hopefully, a good one.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 29, 2013
A free eBook I got from the author, I was intrigued because I always felt that my stuffed toys had a life of their own as a kid, so giving them away would break my heart. Gilmore put those same feelings to words as he wrote a fictional account of what teddy bears might be doing while their humans are away or asleep. I felt the early part of the book was strong, answering many questions readers might have on how this could be realistic, such as why humans never see them move, why their interactions don't generally wake people up at night, and how they seem to end up in the most random places. Later on, as the main teddy bear characters Waldo and Bobby Bear face punishment from the Secret Teddy Society for moving and talking to a human, their adventures take on more of a kid-friendly drama, which adds a plot to the story, but I was most intrigued by the ordinary every day goings-on, so the quest to get to the STS didn't quite hold my interest as well.
That said, I think this is a good book for kids and adults alike. None of the 'scary' parts of the book are gory, as even the 'Zombie Bears' that attack are merely looking for stuffing or a missing eye so they can become complete again and hope to find people who love them. As an adult I liked it, and I think the book would be good for stimulating the imaginations of children who, like me, pretend their toys really do come to life.
That said, I think this is a good book for kids and adults alike. None of the 'scary' parts of the book are gory, as even the 'Zombie Bears' that attack are merely looking for stuffing or a missing eye so they can become complete again and hope to find people who love them. As an adult I liked it, and I think the book would be good for stimulating the imaginations of children who, like me, pretend their toys really do come to life.
February 29, 2020
Le daría más estrellas si no fuese por la casi total ausencia de personajes femeninos de relevancia. Por otra parte, jamás hubiese dicho que una historia de ositos de peluche me fuese a gustar tanto.
February 24, 2013
(This review may contain spoilers).
I think it was the cover that brought my attention to this story. Even though it looked more like a children's story, I liked the cover and I liked the blurb about it. But when I entered the giveaway and didn't win, I didn't think anything of it until the author contacted me and provided a link to get a free e-book copy.
Teddy bears seem to have a huge place in society, so it was really interesting to read a book about them having a whole society. I was a little confused by the sudden switching from D and Lyle to Bobby Bear and Waldo, but it didn't take long for me to adjust to the changes in the story.
There were several moments that made me laugh outright, the biggest one being the time when Waldo accidentally stuck his tongue out in Bobbie's Show and Tell. I liked both Bobby Bear and Waldo, but Waldo was definitely the most heroic one. It was interesting how the bears took on traits of their owners and how Waldo and Bobby Bear took on the characteristics Bobbie had given them.
I did notice a few POV changes that jarred me a little because they were so sudden. I don't think POV should be changed in the same chapter - and not the same paragraph. To be honest, that was what made the book four stars instead of five. Sudden POV changes can make me dizzy.
I did like Waldo's and Bobby Bear's relationship with James. It was incredibly sweet how everything developed between them and that James took them off to get treats. I loved Waldo's reaction to ice cream and the words he used to describe it.
Fluffy Bear, George and Elvis were very interesting characters as well. I did like D and Lyle, but I would have liked to see more done with them.
I nearly read the entire book in one sitting, even though I intended to stop after about an hour and start watching TV and do some writing. I kept putting it off until I had to go to bed and then I finished it today. Keeping me reading like that is a mark of a good book.
I definitely enjoyed this. If there's a sequel, I will certainly be looking into buying it.
I think it was the cover that brought my attention to this story. Even though it looked more like a children's story, I liked the cover and I liked the blurb about it. But when I entered the giveaway and didn't win, I didn't think anything of it until the author contacted me and provided a link to get a free e-book copy.
Teddy bears seem to have a huge place in society, so it was really interesting to read a book about them having a whole society. I was a little confused by the sudden switching from D and Lyle to Bobby Bear and Waldo, but it didn't take long for me to adjust to the changes in the story.
There were several moments that made me laugh outright, the biggest one being the time when Waldo accidentally stuck his tongue out in Bobbie's Show and Tell. I liked both Bobby Bear and Waldo, but Waldo was definitely the most heroic one. It was interesting how the bears took on traits of their owners and how Waldo and Bobby Bear took on the characteristics Bobbie had given them.
I did notice a few POV changes that jarred me a little because they were so sudden. I don't think POV should be changed in the same chapter - and not the same paragraph. To be honest, that was what made the book four stars instead of five. Sudden POV changes can make me dizzy.
I did like Waldo's and Bobby Bear's relationship with James. It was incredibly sweet how everything developed between them and that James took them off to get treats. I loved Waldo's reaction to ice cream and the words he used to describe it.
Fluffy Bear, George and Elvis were very interesting characters as well. I did like D and Lyle, but I would have liked to see more done with them.
I nearly read the entire book in one sitting, even though I intended to stop after about an hour and start watching TV and do some writing. I kept putting it off until I had to go to bed and then I finished it today. Keeping me reading like that is a mark of a good book.
I definitely enjoyed this. If there's a sequel, I will certainly be looking into buying it.
November 14, 2014
I wanted to love this book! It is a cute idea and has a lot of potential. The characters are developed well and come to life on the page. I especially liked James, Bobbie, Bobby Bear, and Waldo. James is a fun character and seems like a great dad. Bobbie is so sweet and is a good bear-owner. Bobby Bear and Waldo are hilarious. I love their sibling-like-bickering and the names they come up with for ice cream and marshmallows. The descriptions are very well done and I felt like I was right there in the story. The part of the story that deals with the cute bears and their sweet human Bobbie, and her dad who writes these amazing stories about the bears, that is all great! Girls K-3 would love it! But then the other half doesn't fit at all. There are scary were-bears, zombie bears, a scary, drunk homeless man who lives in a cardboard box in an alley, and two teenage boys who try to steal a car. There are also a couple of swear words. This part of the story would not be good for those K-3 girls, yet, 4th-5th boys wouldn't really like the sweet part of the story. I'm just not sure who the target audience is. You may read my full review on my book blog: www.the-readathon.blogspot.com.
February 18, 2013
Secret Teddy Society: Breaking the Code will do for teddy bears (new and those that have been forgotten) what Toy Story did for Mr. Potato Head, the green army men, and dinosaurs with tiny little arms.
The two main bears, Waldo and Bobby Bear, capture everything that a child imagines their teddy bear should be. They were 'born' from a child's love and they are the perfect embodiment of the loyalty, truth, and family that is the Teddy Bear Code. At some point in the book I stopped thinking of Waldo and Bobby Bear as teddy bears and became as attached to them, rooting for them throughout their adventures and misadventures, as I was to my own teddy bears growing up.
Mr. Gilmore has created, or experienced for himself, a world that all of us as children believed existed. A world where the bears we loved are more than just the material we feel. Even after Waldo and Bobby Bear break the Code and face leaving the family they love, I kept reading page after page hoping to find a loophole. With a touch of fantasy, adventure, lessons learned, triumphs, and struggles, The Secret Teddy Society is one that I plan on sharing with my own children as well as my students.
The two main bears, Waldo and Bobby Bear, capture everything that a child imagines their teddy bear should be. They were 'born' from a child's love and they are the perfect embodiment of the loyalty, truth, and family that is the Teddy Bear Code. At some point in the book I stopped thinking of Waldo and Bobby Bear as teddy bears and became as attached to them, rooting for them throughout their adventures and misadventures, as I was to my own teddy bears growing up.
Mr. Gilmore has created, or experienced for himself, a world that all of us as children believed existed. A world where the bears we loved are more than just the material we feel. Even after Waldo and Bobby Bear break the Code and face leaving the family they love, I kept reading page after page hoping to find a loophole. With a touch of fantasy, adventure, lessons learned, triumphs, and struggles, The Secret Teddy Society is one that I plan on sharing with my own children as well as my students.
February 7, 2013
The best fantasy tale I've read in a long time.
On the surface the book comes across as a silly, cute adolescent fantasy about teddy bears. It is that and a morality tale.
SECRET TEDDY SOCIETY: BREAKING THE CODE is about love, honor, loyalty, respect, and friendship. It is the teddy bears own Lord of the Rings, but with more excitement and stronger ties.
STS captured me from the beginning with a daring escape of one bear through the help of another. It builds itself upon intrigue and conspiracy within the teddy bear world before focusing on two teddies, Waldo and Bobby, and their human family. I found myself rooting for the bears as they discovered all about our world, and also about ice cream, tastysquishes, Kage Kuma (shadow bears), were-bears, and zombie bears.
This book is great for the young and for adults. It is well written and well plotted, with plenty of foreshadowing. STS deserves a major publisher and I hope it finds one.
On the surface the book comes across as a silly, cute adolescent fantasy about teddy bears. It is that and a morality tale.
SECRET TEDDY SOCIETY: BREAKING THE CODE is about love, honor, loyalty, respect, and friendship. It is the teddy bears own Lord of the Rings, but with more excitement and stronger ties.
STS captured me from the beginning with a daring escape of one bear through the help of another. It builds itself upon intrigue and conspiracy within the teddy bear world before focusing on two teddies, Waldo and Bobby, and their human family. I found myself rooting for the bears as they discovered all about our world, and also about ice cream, tastysquishes, Kage Kuma (shadow bears), were-bears, and zombie bears.
This book is great for the young and for adults. It is well written and well plotted, with plenty of foreshadowing. STS deserves a major publisher and I hope it finds one.
February 11, 2013
This book was not what I expectedd! In fact, it was so much better than what I expected! It was at times funny, sometimes sad, and sometimes scarry. But it all added up to be a great story for adults and kids of all ages. I mean who doesn't love a Teddy Bear? I loved that it even included a brief history of how the first Teddy came into being. You could not help but get caught up in the secret lives of the Teddies, Waldo and Bobby Bear and their owners Bobbie, and James. At times during this story, I found that I was holding my breath to find out what came next. I encourage everyone to cuddle up with their favorite Teddy and enjoy this wonderful story! Oh, and I bet after you finish it, you will never see your favorite Teddy in the same way again!
For more reviews please visit http://booktalkswithcharla.blogspot.com
For more reviews please visit http://booktalkswithcharla.blogspot.com
January 10, 2015
Although this isn’t a book that will last through the ages, it’s a very original book. I remember my teddy bear from when I was a child. I never wondered if he came alive when I was a child, but I did after finishing this novel!
This book was a sweet adventure story that teaches children the value of honesty, loyalty, and friendship. I really liked getting to know the history of teddy bears and Waldo and Bobby Bear were perfect examples of the values of the Teddy Code. I think this book will be enjoyed by children just because it will change their perspective about their toys.
I applaud Gilmore for creating a world of magic and mystery that somehow embodies the amount of love and affection a child can feel for their toys. This was a very sweet read and I’m looking forward to Gilmore’s next book.
I received this book through the GoodReads FirstReads program.
This book was a sweet adventure story that teaches children the value of honesty, loyalty, and friendship. I really liked getting to know the history of teddy bears and Waldo and Bobby Bear were perfect examples of the values of the Teddy Code. I think this book will be enjoyed by children just because it will change their perspective about their toys.
I applaud Gilmore for creating a world of magic and mystery that somehow embodies the amount of love and affection a child can feel for their toys. This was a very sweet read and I’m looking forward to Gilmore’s next book.
I received this book through the GoodReads FirstReads program.
October 6, 2013
First of all, isn't the teddy bear on the cover the cuttest thing ever?!
I was really glad when I won this book even if I didn't know if I would love the book just because the cover is so adorable but it turned out that the book is also really good.
It's got avendure, some suspens and some humor. The only flaw for me is that there were a lot of point of view changes and sometimes they were a little bit sudden and it wasn't always clear whose pov it was. Since it's a children book, I think it could have been helpfull to indicate the name of the character before switching pov.
In the end, I would give this book a solid 3.5/5.
I was really glad when I won this book even if I didn't know if I would love the book just because the cover is so adorable but it turned out that the book is also really good.
It's got avendure, some suspens and some humor. The only flaw for me is that there were a lot of point of view changes and sometimes they were a little bit sudden and it wasn't always clear whose pov it was. Since it's a children book, I think it could have been helpfull to indicate the name of the character before switching pov.
In the end, I would give this book a solid 3.5/5.
June 12, 2013
I've never been a big fan of the Teddy Bear.. At least I wasn't before I read JS Gilmore's"Secret Teddy Society: Breaking the Code." I was so excited when I got this book in the mail, thanks again to J S Gilmore for the goodreads giveaway.
A charming & delightful book, at times I forgot Waldo and Bobby were teddy bears. I would highly recommend this book for all ages.. I guarantee you'll never look at a Teddy Bear the same way again..
A charming & delightful book, at times I forgot Waldo and Bobby were teddy bears. I would highly recommend this book for all ages.. I guarantee you'll never look at a Teddy Bear the same way again..
January 27, 2013
This is a wonderful story filled with adventure, friendship, action, loyalty, and the list goes on. I expected this to be a cute little story, and it was that and much more. I recommend this book highly for all the kids (young and old)in your family. This book will be one of our family favorites I'm sure!
March 1, 2013
this book deserves all 5 stars no less would be a disrespect to all Teddy Bears around. This book will have you reading till the very ending loving every moment. every hug, every song, every bear (maybe lol), This is a perfect book for all ages you are never to old to read a book about Teddy Bears coming to life. So when you read this book pick up your Teddy Bear and hug them close
March 25, 2013
I loved this story. It was cute.
When I was a kid, I used to wonder about my dolls and teddy bears coming to life...mainly at night or when I wasn't in the room. This book adds to the wondering....is it true?! Do they have a world and society?!
I miss my Mike now.
When I was a kid, I used to wonder about my dolls and teddy bears coming to life...mainly at night or when I wasn't in the room. This book adds to the wondering....is it true?! Do they have a world and society?!
I miss my Mike now.
June 6, 2014
Constantly smiling while reading this book. Laughter. Worry. Adventure & excitement. Hopefully on vacation I will get my nephews to let me read STS to them. Please consider sharing this imaginative tale with you kids! Teddy Bears that live because of our love, you bet.
August 5, 2013
Cute story, but too long! Some misspellings and grammar mistakes bugged me.
March 20, 2013
Enjoyed this read. A clever insight to the teddy bear world. Fun and imaginative.
August 10, 2013
Fun, exciting and full of adventure. Never a dull moment. I hope this book leads to a series. Such an entertaining telling of the teddy world.
July 19, 2015
As a big believer that stuffed toys come alive when no one is around, I loved this story! I especially felt for the zombie bears, even though they ended up being jerks.
February 11, 2014
THIS BOOK IS ALMOST THE NEXT HARRY POTTER! Funny, suspenseful, and absolutely ADORABLE!!!
April 12, 2017
Great book for teens and adults. Whimsical and enthralling mystery.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews