The Secret Project Notebook

by Carolyn Reeder

Fritz has just arrived in a place so secret it isn't shown on any map. Even mentioning its name is forbidden. Mail is censored. Visitors are not allowed.
When Fritz—known as Franklin until he came here—learns that this remote spot in the New Mexico mountains is the site of a heavily guarded government laboratory, his curiosity takes over. Exactly what are his father and other scientists working on at the lab? It's common knowledge that their top-secret project has something to do with the war in Europe and the Pacific, but what? Fritz is determined to find out. With the help of Kathy, his seventh-grade classmate, Fritz searches for clues. He records each observation and every rumor in a notebook he doesn't dare let out of his sight.
His sleuthing—and trying to avoid, evade, or outwit the two bullies who have it in for him—keeps Fritz busy. But he finds time to explore the area with his Spanish-American friend Manny, to become involved in a prank with unintended consequences, and to get into serious trouble when he and Manny show too much interest in a restricted area.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Carolyn Reeder was an American writer best known for children's historical novels. She also wrote three non-fiction books about Shenandoah National Park for adults together with her husband. She won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

Reviews

[Dian Beatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the middle of World War II, Franklin’s family moves to a place so secret it isn’t even on the map. His father, a physicist, begins work on a secret project with other scientists while Franklin tries to adjust to small-town desert life. But Franklin is smart and curious, perhaps too much for his own good, and he begins a secret project notebook, determined to figure out what’s going on right under his nose.

Although it’s not a short book, I found it to be a quick read. Any kid who’s interested in history or the atomic bomb project will like it. It’s also accessible to kids who just like a good mystery or coming of age story. I did find a few parts to be kind of shallow, and transitions from one scene or time period to the next were sometimes awkward, but not so bad the intended audience would notice or care probably.

[Janie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting story set during World War II, some of the plot was based on true events and dates. I learned some of history that happened during World War II, that I didn't know about,at least, I don't remember it from the history books,lol.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really cute, pre-teen book about the area our family is currently living in. Los Alamos was the location of the "secret lab" that played a major role in the creation of the Atomic Bomb. This was a fun story to read about that time in history from the view of a 12 year old boy. Living in this historical area, it put life into all the stories we always hear and the locations that we are able to visit around us.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franklin Madden, age twelve, has a new home and a new name, Fritz, at a secret location in New Mexico during WWII. His dad's a scientist at the lab there but that's all Fritz knows until he starts adding clues to his secret notebook, so that he and his new friend, Kathy, can decipher what the lab work is all about.

It was interesting to see what family life might have been like for the scientists and regular civilians at Los Alamos, New Mexico.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child's view of what was happening in Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1945. Interesting look at the development of the atomic bomb.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to Sawyer (9 yr old)