Sealed with a Secret: A Wish Novel

by Lisa Schroeder

When Phoebe finds a beautiful antique at a flea market, she's not sure whether it's as valuable as it looks. But inside she discovers something truly amazing a letter written during World War II, from a young girl to her sister who's been evacuated from London. The letter includes a "spell" for bringing people closer together: a list of clues leading all through the city. Each stop along the way adds up to magic.

Phoebe is stunned. Not only has she found a priceless piece of history, the letter is exactly what she needs -- she's also separated from her sister, though not by distance. Alice leaves for university soon, but in the meantime, she wants nothing to do with Phoebe. They used to be so close. Now that Phoebe has this magical list, maybe she can fix everything! That is, unless she accidentally makes everything worse instead...

From the author of My Secret Guide to Paris comes an unforgettable trip through London, with secret treasures around every corner!

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, British Literature, Fiction, Family, Young Adult, Childrens

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2016

About the author

Lisa Schroeder is the author of more than twenty books for kids and teens. Her latest novel is A NIGHT TO DIE FOR, a YA murder mystery. She lives in Oregon where she works full-time and writes when she can.

twitter: www.twitter.com/lisa_schroeder
instagram: lisaschroeder15

Reviews

[McKenley F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this Sealed with a Secret because it mentions another book in it that I've read before. You might like this if you have read My Secret Guide to Paris. In this book Phoebe just got back from Paris. There she had found a makeup compact with a note and picture inside from along time ago. Inside it said that the person from long ago knew a person that believed in magic giving her a spell to bring sisters together in more then one way. Phoebe try's to do the spell because her and her sister have been fighting a lot even though it might not work.

[Kaelyn Gress · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book I have read was Sealed with a Secret by Lisa Schroeder. The main character named Phoebe wanted to bring her sister Alice closer together because they were constantly fighting and arguing. Alice was heading off to university so Phoebe needed to work fast to bring them together. While Phoebe and her sister were in Paris for her dads work Phoebe cam across a compact that was worth a bunch of money that could help with Alice's university funds. She wanted to surprise her family with it when they got home but when she opened she found a letter and an old picture in it. The letter read that there were two sisters that was separated during a war and found a magic spell that would bring two people closer together. Phoebe wanted to complete the spell to get her sister closer together so she went all over London to find the different places to complete the spell with her friend Ned. Then when her mom told her she wasn't able to go to the final place Phoebe was heart broken until a miracle happened and Alice asked if they could go to the last place on the list. They went there together and it ended up bringing them closer together because while they were there the two sisters talked out their issues and became best friends again.

I picked this book because of my interest in London. Although this book is a quick read I did enjoy all of the exciting adventures mixed in. Throughout the book the main character goes to all of the main tourist sites and I learned a lot about the culture and landmarks in London. I'm very glad that I chose to read this book and there isn't a thing that I would change, other than the length of the book. It was a wonderful book, and I would definitely read it again.

I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about London. However, the level of the text may seem low for some readers. I would also recommend it to people that don't know that much about it, because they would definitely learn about it from this book. Overall, this was an amazing book, and I would recommend it to anyone in for a good time and experience.

[Pamela Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about family and how much we care for them.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another YA book from my friend Lisa Schroeder! A lovely story about sisters with a British scavenger hunt thrown in! Loved how every chapter began with a British word and definition.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this book sooooooooo much.

[Lorena Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! Absolutely loved it!!!!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was really interesting. It reminded me of how important sisters can be and how people can always get close to each other, after being apart. People can always be brought back together.
In the novel, two sisters cane apart after the older sister fell in love with an American boy, after their trip to New York City. When the family was back in London, the two sister were not getting along, mostly because of Alice’s behavior. Jojo was mad about that, so she tried magic in order to bring them two back together. Did this make everything worse or did the magic bring the two sisters together united again...?

[Erica Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might have been a true teenage book but it was so good and definitely has me ready to go back to the books I typically read. Highly recommend this book for anyone and especially anyone who’s having sibling issues.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's more of 4.25! 😁

[Kelly Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever talked to me on Twitter or Facebook, you've probably figured out that Lisa Schroeder is one of my favorite authors. She writes these amazing YA novels, but she also writes these equally amazing and adorable middlegrade books. (She and Eileen Cook were my gateway into middlegrade, should that ever come up on Jeopardy!)

This book was no exception. It's technically a companion novel to My Secret Guide to Paris (and centers around the sisters that Nora meets in Paris) but can function just as well as a standalone. I loved Phoebe, who just really wants to be close to her sister Alice again. It's such a sweet wish, and when she finds that spell, she thinks it's the perfect way to make that happen.

I'm not sure how to describe this without using the word "charming." But at any rate, if you know how it feels to be left behind, this book is for you.

Highly recommended.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a young girl named Phoebe Ainsworth. Phoebe goes to the flea market in London where she finds a magnificent antique. Inside of the antique is a WW1 letter written by a girl. Phoebe and her best friend, Ned have a list of things to find and do to add up to magic. With this magical list, she becomes less close to her elder sister, Alice. Phoebe has to find out a way to make things better with her elder sister just before she leaves off to college while having her magical list.

Phoebe Ainsworth is a young girl. She loves to read, play the piano and loves a kitchen filled with gadgets. Phoebe loves being in London. She has an elder sister named Alice, who is completely different from her. Phoebe also loves mysteries and going on adventures. Phoebe likes to speak her mind and do the things she wants to do.

This story discuss how secrets can not always be hidden. It showed that even if your loved ones such as family and siblings are not always the same as you, no matter the difference between you and them, you will always be close to them. In the book, Alice and Phoebe had separated and were not as close as they were before, but when they talked out their issues they had become closer than ever.

In this book, I enjoyed the mystery and adventure. I wanted to keep reading. I loved how the book showed that even your siblings can drift apart from you but no matter how many problems there are you can solve them and end up with an amazing friendship. Phoebe only wanted to complete the ’spell’ checklist to become closer to her sister.

There is nothing about this book I dislike, it is very interesting. If there were unexpected problems or situations in the book it would have made it better. The writing style of the book is not advanced but is certainly a great book to read.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who is interested in adventures and mystery. I recommend this book to children at the age of eleven and older.

[Vedika · Rating 5 out of 5]

After MY SECRET GUIDE TO PARIS, here's another absolutely perfect sequel.

Phoebe has known that her sister, Alice has been preparing to leave for University in America, but the trip, fees and expenses from London to America or University is really high. Being an antiques seller, her father has instructed her and Alice to look for expensive Cartier antiques during their visit to Paris. Out of Blue, Phoebe ends up finding a Cartier Compact worth 4 years worth of expenses for Alice's university, but Phoebe decides to keep it a secret and surprise them.

Things don't go as planned, Alice has started being mean to her. But, also, Phoebe has found something absolutely splendid within the Cartier Compact, A MAGICAL SPELL TO BRING TWO SISTERS TOGETHER. Phoebe gives her all, lies to her mum and is ready to roam the streets of the very large London city with her best friend Ned.

But then as Alice continues to be mean to her, she decides not to give her the compact. She ends up promising the compact to Ned's mum for her birthday party even though she knows that the compact would solve all the difficulties for Alice. She eventually ends up regretting her decision though.

In the end, what happens? Will Phoebe and Alice ever end up as the best sisters ever again? Will the magical spell work? Will she ever get back the Cartier Compact?

Favourite lines from the book

It was as if Alice was dead keen on being in a bad mood. I mean, she was acting as if we were taking her to scrub the streets of London with a toothbrush.

I think for a while it seemed as if we’d lost each other. But we hadn’t. Not at all. And I believe that realization made us so happy that tears came with the smiles. You see, no matter what, sisters are forever. Through thick and thin, as the saying goes.

This was a bittersweet read and absolutely relatable!

[Ashlyn Kastelic · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Sealed With a Secret by Lisa Schroeder is a great book anyone can enjoy. Phoebe, a main character is struggling with trying to get her sister to be more connected with her. She and Ned, also a main character travel around London to complete the steps of a spell from a letter from World War 2 inside a makeup compact. The letter came from a girl writing to her sister about a spell that will make them closer because they are separated from each other. While Phoebe and Ned are traveling around London Ned gets sick and throws up in the middle of the sidewalk and they are forced to go home. The makeup compact is worth a lot of money and Phoebe gives it up to Ned for free for his mother's birthday. Later realizing that her family really needed it more than he did. Alice, Phoebe's sister is going to college the next year and needs the money. Wonder what will happen, will she get the compact back or no?
My personal opinion about this book is that I love it. It is alike the book My Secret Guide to Paris by the same author, and in the same series. I loved that book too. They are very similar in a way, so I liked it a lot. I like the part when Alice and Phoebe make up and become really close sisters again. It is so sweet. If every problem was fixed like that it would be a perfect world. Everyone would be nice to each other and as tight as two peas in a pod.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventures or books with lots of twists. When you thought there was going to be a solution a new problem occurred. You never knew what would happen next. It is a little more advanced in the text, but I think anyone can enjoy it even if it has to be read to them. It is a great adventure that is created in you mind. loved it, and I believe anyone can too.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

You aren't going to close the cover on a Lisa Schroeder book and think "Wow. That was amazing." unless you are a tween girl who prefers straightforward stories with no frills. I consider Wish novels to be mass market for girls. They have high appeal because they are cute, relatable, and uncomplicated, the very criteria many kids crave.

This is a companion book to My Secret Guide to Paris where Phoebe is a supporting character. In Sealed with a Secret, Phoebe becomes the main character. She and her sister are back in London. While in Paris, Phoebe got a deal on a valuable Cartier compact at a flea market, but didn't tell anyone. She's conflicted about what to do with it because her father is an antiques dealer, and they need the money to help pay for Alice's upcoming college expenses. Phoebe is upset with her sister because they used to be close, but now all Alice seems to care about is Justin, the boy she met in Paris.

When Phoebe inspects the compact, she discovers an old letter from one sister to another who was evacuated to the countryside during WWII. The letter describes a scavenger hunt of places around London that promises to bring the sisters back together when completed. Phoebe elicits the help of her friend Ned to complete the scavenger hunt in the hopes that it will restore her relationship with Alice.

Sweet, uncomplicated story. Doesn't get me charged up, but a perfect read for the tween crowd.

[Calie Love]

The book, Sealed with a secret by Lisa Schroeder has 217 pages.

Phoebe wanted her and her sister, Alice, closer together because they were always fighting and arguing. Alice was soon leaving for university. Phoebe needed to work fast to bring them together. While Phoebe and her sister were in Paris for her dads work Phoebe came across a compact for a cheap amount of money. Later she later found out was worth it was a lot of money that could help with Alice's university funds. When she opened she found a letter and an old picture in it. The letter read that there were two sisters that was separated during a war and found a magic spell that would bring two people closer together.

Phoebe wanted to complete the spell to bring her and her sister closer together so she traveled all over London to find the different places to complete the spell with her friend, Ned. When her mom told her she wasn't able to go to the final place Phoebe was heart broken, until a miracle happened. Alice asked if they could go to the last place on the list. They went together and it ended up bringing them closer together because while they were there the they talked out their issues and became best friends again.

Some of the things I liked about the book are that it is set in London. Also, I like how the story is laid out. What I didn't like about the book was that the book was a little to fast. The characters that I liked in the book were Phoebe because I love her personality. What I liked about the authors writing is here detail and how you can imagine this happening.

I would recommend this book to a friend because of the vivid details in the book and the ending.

[Arwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sealed With A Secret

A girl named Phoebe was in a flea market, she found a gorgeous/beautiful antique mirror from World War II. In the tiny compact mirror she found a letter, written between 2 sisters, who were evacuated from London. The letter was a “Spell” to bring the 2 sisters together. So she has to do all theses trips to the places that have been on the letter, and either, did something around it, or leave a note or something. Obviously, she can’t travel to these places by herself so...she brings along her neighbor. After all this hassle of walking everywhere they later on find out about the person who wrote the “Spell”, and ask a hole bunch of questions, including if the “Spell” was actually a SPELL! And there WAS an answer to that very last question..


Sealed With A Secret

A girl named Phoebe was in a flea market, she found a gorgeous/beautiful antique mirror from World War II. In the tiny compact mirror she found a letter, written between 2 sisters, who were evacuated from London. The letter was a “Spell” to bring the 2 sisters together. So she has to do all theses trips to the places that have been on the letter, and either, did something around it, or leave a note or something. Obviously, she can’t travel to these places by herself so...she brings along her neighbor. After all this hassle of walking everywhere they later on find out about the person who wrote the “Spell”, and ask a hole bunch of questions, including if the “Spell” was actually a SPELL! And there WAS an answer to that very last question..

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe's sister, Alice, is getting older and they're no longer as close as they used to be. Phoebe wants nothing more than for things to go back to how they used to be when she and Alice did everything together. When Phoebe discovers a "spell" in a compact to bring two sisters closer, she decides it's her only hope to get the old Alice back.

Phoebe enlists the help from her friend Ned and they follow the clues that lead them all around London. It's an adventure to them and also their very own secret, but will it help her and Alice become friends again? That's the only thing Phoebe is worried about.

I loved that this book was about trying to rebuild a relationship with your sibling. It's true that as you grow older, there's that chance of growing apart. It happens before you even realize it and this story was all about being a sister and a daughter. The secrecy of it all made the story more intriguing, but it also teaches that secrets don't really remain hidden forever.


Final Verdict: This was an inspiring book about sisterhood and I would recommend it to those with siblings or who love adventure.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe and her older sister Alice, who'll be leaving for college soon, have just returned to their home on the outskirts of London, after spending time in Paris with their parents, as they searched flea markets and shops for special treasures for their father's own antique store. When Phoebe finds a letter dated 1941 inside an old compact, along with a spell designed to bring sisters closer together, she knows she's got to try it. She and Alice used to be so close, but now all Alice seems to think about is her new boyfriend and leaving for college.

This is a very sweet story about the ebb and flow of sisterhood, family and life. I also enjoyed Phoebe and her friend Ned's explorations in London, as well as the definitions of words or terminology used often in the UK at the beginning of each chapter, that those of us who don't live there might not be as familiar with.

[Ana(stasia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this one, Phoebe is back from Paris and she finds a compact for cheap at an antique shop. Inside the compact is a note about a girl separated from her sister. She wrote down clues and tasks, which, when completed, will bring the two sisters closer together. Phoebe thinks this is real. Obviously, it is not, but she completes most of the tasks anyway. She does this because her and her older sister, who is going to university in New York City in a while, are spreading apart. In the end of the book, Phoebe and her sister get back on track and Phoebe also tells her parents about the compact. They find out that if they sell the compact, it can pay for all of the plane tickets to get her sister to and from school. This was very enjoyable and i do recommend it.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Sealed With a Secret by Lisa Schroeder was an amazing book. This book was about a girl named Phoebe and she has the opportunity of a life time to go London. Phoebe finds a letter from World War 2 and she alos finds a spell that brings people together. Phoebe has to go all through London and in the book you get to see how everything unravels. I recommend this book if you enjoy reading a fun and interesting book.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, a girl named Phoebe is on a journey to make agreements with her sister, before her sister, Alice, leaves for college. One day, around Paris, Phoebe discovers a spell that is supposed to bring 2 people close together again. To complete this spell, Phoebe must visit 7 places, leaving a trail of gifts, movements, and special wishes of her own. With help from her friend Ned, anything is possible to her. (217 pages, Fanstasy)

[Makenna stull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sealed with a secret: A Wish Novel by Lisa Schroeder. The main character phoebe try's to bring her and her sister back together. this book is really good. I really enjoyed how realistic this book is to real life. Phoebe and I have some similar rivals with out siblings, and I think that is great that we can have similar things in our lives. I recommend this book to young readers and even adult readers would like to read this book too.

[Lily Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was amazing. I loved how the first book tied into this book. It really encouraged me to continue reading. Also i love how realistic this series between, her and her sisters relationship. Especially since she is going to college. I really enjoyed this book and I hope you guys enjoy it too.

[HazelK_E2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe is drifting away from her soon-to-be college student sister, Alice. She finds a compact with a magic spell inside that will bring two people closer together and thinks that’s what’s going to bring Alice and her closer again. But what Phoebe doesn’t know is that all she needed was to talk with her sister...

[Rachel Leroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really good book. If your child(children) use accelerated reader this book is worth 5 points.This book kept me interested and made me want to keep reading, it’s hard to stay focused when reading. This book keeps you focused. I personally love the adventure and how it takes place in Paris London. It gives descriptive words. I would recommend this book to anyone!

[Petra J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Phoebe's adventure and her endless desire to bring herself closer to her sister. This book really showed that Family is Everything.
This story was so cute and beautiful: one of the best realistic fiction/children's I've ever read. Enjoyed every aspect of it. I loved the simplicity and happiness it was told with. Just loved it 💕!

[Gerry Beane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sherri’s grand daughter, Neelia, age 7, gave me this Young Adult book for my birthday. When I told her yesterday that I was reading the book she had gifted me, she couldn’t hold back her smile and she came over and hugged me. So sincere and so innocent with no pretext and no presumption. It made it well worth the few hours it took to read it!

[NaDell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for anyone between 8-12. It was fun for me too. After a trip to Paris with her dad and brother Phoebe comes home with a special treasure she purchased on the trip and discovers a photo and a letter and goes on a bit of a scavenger hunt to see if the 'spell' in the letter will work.

[Meril Horseback · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost didn’t choose this book because of its cover, a bit too childish to me maybe. But it turns out to be a beautiful story about siblings and magic. We all need a bit of magic in our life.
Would love to read her other works!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon.