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My Top Secret Dares & Don'ts
Twelve-year-old Kestrel must battle evil twin sisters and overcome her own worst fear to prevent the foreclosure of her grandmother’s beloved lodge in this fresh, funny M!X novel.
Kestrel and her family are headed out to Vancouver, BC, to help out her grandmother at her beautiful ski lodge. It’s been in the family for generations, but the business is in trouble—and there are lots of people looking to take over the property.
Kestrel is determined to help her family retain their precious business—one that her grandfather built literally from the ground up. But two evil twins—who happen to be the daughters of a property developer determined to drive the lodge out of business—prove to be her nemeses in every way possible. Can Kestrel help save the lodge and beat the twins at their own game?
Kestrel and her family are headed out to Vancouver, BC, to help out her grandmother at her beautiful ski lodge. It’s been in the family for generations, but the business is in trouble—and there are lots of people looking to take over the property.
Kestrel is determined to help her family retain their precious business—one that her grandfather built literally from the ground up. But two evil twins—who happen to be the daughters of a property developer determined to drive the lodge out of business—prove to be her nemeses in every way possible. Can Kestrel help save the lodge and beat the twins at their own game?
- GenresMiddle Grade
261 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2017
3 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Trudi Trueit
127 books280 followersTrudi Trueit writes the kind of books she loves to read; stories packed with adventure, mystery, friendship, and hope; stories that reminds us to forge our own path and be our own hero! She's published more than 100 fiction and nonfiction titles for kids, including the award-winning EXPLORER ACADEMY series (National Geographic), which was chosen as an Amazon Prime Book Box selection and named one of Barnes and Noble Best Books of the Year for Young Readers. Look for her NEW EXPLORER ACADEMY spinoff series: VELA!
Born and raised in Seattle, WA she lives in the Northwest with her husband and three cats. P.S.: Trudi Trueit IS her real name (by marriage). Visit her website at www.truditrueit.com.
Visit her website at www.truditrueit.
Born and raised in Seattle, WA she lives in the Northwest with her husband and three cats. P.S.: Trudi Trueit IS her real name (by marriage). Visit her website at www.truditrueit.com.
Visit her website at www.truditrueit.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 6, 2019
this book is about a girl who likes to write her secret in her diary. She always writes the dares and doesn't list but sometimes she dares become don't and her don't become dares. She has two best friends and she wants to spend her summer with her best friends. She has to go to her grandmother because her grandfather died and her grandmother business was in a problem. this book is really good and interesting. I chose this book to read because I like to read the funny amazing short stories.
March 27, 2017
A wholesome & heart-warming read!
This story has all the good feels, but not shoved up in your face. They percolate just under the surface, like the story reflects on itself, encouraging readers to reflect on themselves, too. I felt it in the world building, in the character relationships, and in the main character Kestrel herself. Although the world of today is too often not like this, it was refreshing to read. Gives hope and a yearning for more than we are. It's openness to goodness is what I enjoyed most of this read. Don't mistake that for saying the story is fluffy or too feel-good. There are real issues that touch and change the characters. There's mystery, inner conflicts, fears, and a renewed hope in what it means to be family. There's also some really cool information on toads, but you'll have to read to figure that out and what it has to do with this tale.
Kestrel is a strong female lead. Seriously, how many middle graders do you know who've developed a list of pet-peeves - two being: whinning & apathy. Apathy? And this kid has a fine work ethic at the spry age of twelve. She's mature, thinks a lot, and examines her thoughts; she's into reasoning. Totally LUV her, and see great things for her future. Her tone and posture - especially at the opening - are perfect. Picture it: enduring what feels like a bazillion mile car ride with your eight-year-old brother and crossing into a foreign country (just Canada, nothing exotic #snort) because Mom and Dad say the fam should visit your grandmother, who you've rarely ever seen. AND it's the start of summer vacation and all your friends will have fun without you and you'll end up alone and old and ... well, you get the picture. #TheWorldJustEnded
The sibling relationship is hilarious and sweet. Typical expected angst between an eight and twelve year old, but their acts show that they truly care for each other. I really, really love that part. The care between the siblings is an added bonus that warms my heart.
Kestrel's parents are a big part of her life and are throughout the entire book. I find that missing in some middle grade books that deal with weightier issues. Not saying one is right or wrong, just that it is refreshing to read a story where problems were encountered and solved through genuine kindness and thoughtfulness of others. *See, just saying that made my heart skip and go aw...* Her mother is real. She doesn't pretend life was all roses when she was a kid. Kestrel can talk to her mom. <3
Lastly, and my ultimate favorite aspect about this book: I love the idea of a list themed of dares and don'ts for a middle schooler. It's perfect! The list is a sort of self-imposed boundary, giving Kestrel the freedom to explore and interact with all aspects of growing up. I can see young readers being inspired to create their own lists to go by, helping them better find their 'fit' in the world.
I'd recommend this book to middle grade readers who love a wholesome adventure. It would also be a great read-aloud in class and joint read between parent and child.
This story has all the good feels, but not shoved up in your face. They percolate just under the surface, like the story reflects on itself, encouraging readers to reflect on themselves, too. I felt it in the world building, in the character relationships, and in the main character Kestrel herself. Although the world of today is too often not like this, it was refreshing to read. Gives hope and a yearning for more than we are. It's openness to goodness is what I enjoyed most of this read. Don't mistake that for saying the story is fluffy or too feel-good. There are real issues that touch and change the characters. There's mystery, inner conflicts, fears, and a renewed hope in what it means to be family. There's also some really cool information on toads, but you'll have to read to figure that out and what it has to do with this tale.
Kestrel is a strong female lead. Seriously, how many middle graders do you know who've developed a list of pet-peeves - two being: whinning & apathy. Apathy? And this kid has a fine work ethic at the spry age of twelve. She's mature, thinks a lot, and examines her thoughts; she's into reasoning. Totally LUV her, and see great things for her future. Her tone and posture - especially at the opening - are perfect. Picture it: enduring what feels like a bazillion mile car ride with your eight-year-old brother and crossing into a foreign country (just Canada, nothing exotic #snort) because Mom and Dad say the fam should visit your grandmother, who you've rarely ever seen. AND it's the start of summer vacation and all your friends will have fun without you and you'll end up alone and old and ... well, you get the picture. #TheWorldJustEnded
The sibling relationship is hilarious and sweet. Typical expected angst between an eight and twelve year old, but their acts show that they truly care for each other. I really, really love that part. The care between the siblings is an added bonus that warms my heart.
Kestrel's parents are a big part of her life and are throughout the entire book. I find that missing in some middle grade books that deal with weightier issues. Not saying one is right or wrong, just that it is refreshing to read a story where problems were encountered and solved through genuine kindness and thoughtfulness of others. *See, just saying that made my heart skip and go aw...* Her mother is real. She doesn't pretend life was all roses when she was a kid. Kestrel can talk to her mom. <3
Lastly, and my ultimate favorite aspect about this book: I love the idea of a list themed of dares and don'ts for a middle schooler. It's perfect! The list is a sort of self-imposed boundary, giving Kestrel the freedom to explore and interact with all aspects of growing up. I can see young readers being inspired to create their own lists to go by, helping them better find their 'fit' in the world.
I'd recommend this book to middle grade readers who love a wholesome adventure. It would also be a great read-aloud in class and joint read between parent and child.
March 15, 2017
The good: Characters, plot, and writing are excellent. This is another winner in Aladdin's M!X series with many things to like. The chapters alternate between 'Dares' and 'Don'ts', and it's fun when a 'dare' is accepted or a 'don't' changes to a 'do'. The unique setting of the novel gives the author a chance to introduce the reader to one of nature's special, and fascinating, events: the migration of the western toad in British Columbia. Finally, it's a pleasure to watch Kestrel, our intelligent and caring heroine, as she deals with several challenges at once, and, through her handling of them, migrates (so to speak) into a stronger, more mature version of herself.
The bad: One thing that can be counted on in M!X books is a well-proofed text. This is unfortunately not true in My Top Secret.... I came across at least a dozen errors (there are likely more), beginning with the synopsis on the back cover (the reason Kestrel is "trekking north" is not the one given there). The primary errors are missing or incorrect words. In one instance, on page 129, there are two mistakes in the same half-sentence: "I wipe the sweat for my forehead with my side of my garden glove..." (To be clear, I was not reading from an ARC or an e-book, but from a copy bought straight off the bookstore shelf.) It's hard to say who's to blame - the author's inattentive eye, an editor at Aladdin? - but in a world with spelling and grammar checkers, there's no excuse for producing a text with so many errors.
The good: I don't want to end a review of a book I genuinely liked (and that I highly recommend) on a down note, so here's a perfectly expressed sentiment from page 63 that could find a home in a thousand tween books:
"My mom doesn't think I am grown-up enough to handle adult problems. I'm not saying she's wrong, but I'm not so sure she's right. Either way, wouldn't it be something to be treated as if I were old enough to understand, as if I could help? Because one day I will be, and maybe that day will come sooner than she thinks."
The bad: One thing that can be counted on in M!X books is a well-proofed text. This is unfortunately not true in My Top Secret.... I came across at least a dozen errors (there are likely more), beginning with the synopsis on the back cover (the reason Kestrel is "trekking north" is not the one given there). The primary errors are missing or incorrect words. In one instance, on page 129, there are two mistakes in the same half-sentence: "I wipe the sweat for my forehead with my side of my garden glove..." (To be clear, I was not reading from an ARC or an e-book, but from a copy bought straight off the bookstore shelf.) It's hard to say who's to blame - the author's inattentive eye, an editor at Aladdin? - but in a world with spelling and grammar checkers, there's no excuse for producing a text with so many errors.
The good: I don't want to end a review of a book I genuinely liked (and that I highly recommend) on a down note, so here's a perfectly expressed sentiment from page 63 that could find a home in a thousand tween books:
"My mom doesn't think I am grown-up enough to handle adult problems. I'm not saying she's wrong, but I'm not so sure she's right. Either way, wouldn't it be something to be treated as if I were old enough to understand, as if I could help? Because one day I will be, and maybe that day will come sooner than she thinks."
December 15, 2019
I bought this book from Big Bad Wolf Sri Lanka. I liked the cover first. The cover drawing is excellent. But what attached me to the book was the quote within the first few pages. "Fear cannot kill you. It just makes you think it can". We all have fears right? But what if we miss a great chance since we are too afraid of our own fears? This book answers all!
Well there were not much characters to like. This was totally Krestal based. She was lovely though. I expect more about Breck as a reader. I feel like he was not even a main character .Terrible Tollivers were the worst.
I am kind of interested in Sistel Solution by this author.
My favourite quotes
1.Fear cannot kill you, it just makes you think it can ( page 77 )
2. Time heala nothing. If the wound isn't closed, time only makes it worse. ( page 119 )
3. Somethings are meant to be. ( page 176 )
4. No dream lasts forever. Eventually, we must all wake up. (Page 198)
Well there were not much characters to like. This was totally Krestal based. She was lovely though. I expect more about Breck as a reader. I feel like he was not even a main character .Terrible Tollivers were the worst.
I am kind of interested in Sistel Solution by this author.
My favourite quotes
1.Fear cannot kill you, it just makes you think it can ( page 77 )
2. Time heala nothing. If the wound isn't closed, time only makes it worse. ( page 119 )
3. Somethings are meant to be. ( page 176 )
4. No dream lasts forever. Eventually, we must all wake up. (Page 198)
March 27, 2018
Kestral is not excited about going to spend the summer up at her grandmother's ski lodge in Whistler, BC, but her grandfather just died so she, her mother, and her brother are going up to help out. Once they get there, they find that not only has someone been posting untrue one star reviews on a variety of travel sites, but this same person or persons has called all of the guests with reservations over the next few months and lied to them about the hotel. Now the lodge is losing money and there's a chance Kestral's grandmother will have to sell it. Can Kestral find a way to help save the lodge before it is too late? A fun summer mystery with just the right doses of mean girls, fan girls, and friendships. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
May 31, 2017
Excellence.
I loved how easily I was pulled into this story.
The writing style is simple and yet beautiful. If I was teaching descriptive writing to middle-schoolers (thank God I'm not! lol) I would use this book as a good example of how to paint a scene with creative word choice.
The characters are charming and annoying, just as any teenage girl should be. They have realistic emotions and responses to real life situations (yes, even though it is fiction).
The story line is well-developed and the resolution is organic and plausible.
Another favorite going onto my Keeper Shelf!
I loved how easily I was pulled into this story.
The writing style is simple and yet beautiful. If I was teaching descriptive writing to middle-schoolers (thank God I'm not! lol) I would use this book as a good example of how to paint a scene with creative word choice.
The characters are charming and annoying, just as any teenage girl should be. They have realistic emotions and responses to real life situations (yes, even though it is fiction).
The story line is well-developed and the resolution is organic and plausible.
Another favorite going onto my Keeper Shelf!
March 19, 2017
My Top Secret Dares and Don'ts features Kestrel, a 12-year-old who's a big fan of lists. Currently, she's keeping a "top secret" list of things she wants to do and things she doesn't want to do. When she finds herself spending the summer before seventh grade at her grandmother's ski lodge, that list is put to the test. The good news is, that means we get to watch her take on one adventure after another. Kestrel is a strong, spunky heroine that readers will definitely root for as she tries to save the lodge after a bunch of nasty online reviews.
May 4, 2017
What a delightful story! I really liked how realistically Kestral and all the other characters were written. I could definitely see some of myself at 12 in her, though I think she was far more brave than was I at that age! *grin*
I especially liked how each chapter title was one of the titular dares or don'ts from Kestral's list. This is a fun, clean read that is definitely appropriate for the tween crowd (and the not-so-tween crowd, such as m'self).
I especially liked how each chapter title was one of the titular dares or don'ts from Kestral's list. This is a fun, clean read that is definitely appropriate for the tween crowd (and the not-so-tween crowd, such as m'self).
January 9, 2020
I thought the book was pretty good, its about a girl named Kestrel who goes to Vancouver in the summer to stay at her grandmas lodge which might be getting sold to the Tolliver family, who wants to turn the lodge in to condos. Even though the loge used to be 5 stars the Tollivers wrote bad things about it so they did not have as many people come there so they did not have enough money to save the loge.
May 18, 2017
Just the right amounts of suspense, mystery, and realistic mix of teen relationships, including family. Reads along quickly, but also has enough detail to keep it interesting.
I enjoy Trueit's writing!
I enjoy Trueit's writing!
May 5, 2021
This is one of my favorite books. Kestrel really wants to fight for her grandma’s lodge, but the challenges push her further away from her goal. It doesn’t stop kestrel, it just motivates her to try and push back harder than ever before.
February 7, 2025
Definitely for younger readers, read this with my little sister. The plot was predictable, but it didn't have to be perfect because little kids don't need literary perfection. Also, there's a character named Annabeth, sooo....
May 14, 2017
I Read The Entire Book And Felt That It Had A Lot Of Suspense, Once You Start Reading The Book You Won't Want To Put It Down Until You Have Finished The Book- Logan, Age 10
July 18, 2021
I requested this book for a late birthday present and loved it.
The story's main character was a preteen named Kestrel visiting Blackcomb Lodge, owned by her grandmother and late grandfather, and trying to save it from being sold.
It was realistic and descriptive. I just adored the village parts and loved the gondola ride up the mountain.
I highly recommend this book to any fans of middle grade heroric girls, fans of geography or Canada, or just MG fans in general.
The story's main character was a preteen named Kestrel visiting Blackcomb Lodge, owned by her grandmother and late grandfather, and trying to save it from being sold.
It was realistic and descriptive. I just adored the village parts and loved the gondola ride up the mountain.
I highly recommend this book to any fans of middle grade heroric girls, fans of geography or Canada, or just MG fans in general.
April 15, 2017
My Top Secret Dares & Don'ts tells the story of Kestrel, a plucky 12-year-old who is determined to save her grandmother's ski lodge. The novel is well-written, and Kestrel is a very relatable protagonist. Not only is she funny and strong, but she has insecurities and anxieties (such as her fear of heights) that connect her to an average reader. Not only that, but her relationship with her family is incredibly realistic, from her desire to prove to her mother that she is mature to her annoyance at having to babysit her little brother. The book's message, "fear is only as strong as you let it be," is an important lesson for readers and is presented in a way that keeps it from seeming trite. Overall, My Top Secret Dares & Don'ts is a great read and very fun!
April 23, 2017
I liked this book! The story is about a girl named Kestrel, who travels to Canada to help her Grandma run her lodge while recovering from losing a loved one. While in Canada, Kestrel uncovers a plot to steal the lodge away from her Grandma. Kestrel and her family work together to figure out the mystery, and Kestrel finds herself in a lot of funny situations along the way. Kestrel keeps a list of dares for herself, and a list of don’ts. She marks a few of these off her list along the way. All of this and more are in Trudi Trueit’s My Top Secret Dares and Don’ts . Read it! Come ON, I dare you to! --Avery, age 9
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews