The Secrets of Ms. Snickle's Class

by Laurie Miller Hornik, Debbie Tilley (Illustrator)

In Ms. Snickle’s topsy-turvy classroom there are no tests or math lessons. Instead, there are pizza-topping spelling contests and class trips to find runaway desks. And there are lots of secrets, some of them quite unusual. For example, Eva is a swan, and Dennis’s mother really is the tooth fairy! Lacey knows that the rule in the classroom is No Telling Secrets, but she makes it her business to learn all the secrets. And when she learns the most extraordinary secret of all—that Ms. Snickle can turn her classroom into an apartment by pushing a magic button—she discovers just how powerful secrets can be. Complemented by Debbie Tilley’s zany illustrations, this wildly imaginative and humorous novel will be a hit with any kid who’s ever wished for more fun at school.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2001

Reviews

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was young, and the theme always stuck with me. It makes sense that teachers live at school (for students at least) because that’s the only place you see them! This delightful children’s book is just as funny now that I’m older, and I’m glad I reread it.

Ms. Snickle isn’t like other trleachers, and she doesn’t have many rules. But one that she stresses emphatically is, “No telling secrets.” And when one student breaks this rule, chaos ensues. The friendly students become fussy and angry, and when Ms. Snickle’s secret is revealed, it lands the teacher in hot water. The class must then put aside their differences to bring back the teacher that they all love.

This is a whimsical tale, with both realistic secrets and some that are a bit magical. from bed-wetting to your mom being the Tooth Fairy, these secrets might just teach you something of what a secret means and why it’s important to be trustworthy. I recommend this book for children of all ages, and anyone else who wants to see through young eyes again.

[Cordelia Dinsmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library a while back, and my granddaughter saw it. She just turned five last week, and I was surprised when she asked me to read it to her at bedtime. That time is usually reserved for picture books, but I told her I'd gladly read to her. I assumed she would fall asleep very quickly, but she listened intently to the first chapter. The next night she brought this book to me and asked if I'd read some more about the swan who turned into a girl. It took a couple of weeks, but we finished it last night, and she even recognized Eva from the snapshots in the book.

It's a fun read for the younger MG set. We especially enjoyed the EW-meter and the show and tell with the younger siblings. The premise of the classroom magically becoming something else appealed to the inner child in me, because it's just the type of fantasy I enjoyed on more than one long, boring day of elementary school.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Snickle's class is learning about secrets, which leads to a series of adventures and revelations in this humorous tale. Young readers will enjoy the Wayside School type humor, including a classroom that transforms into Ms. Snickle's home.

[Hweeps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this at a younger age and even now, at 15, the story has never left me. Such a marvellous tale, really. Unique and really vibrant, it leaves a most lasting impression!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute book.

[Sinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick book, good if you just want an interesting story fast.