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The Long-Lost Secret Diary
The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World's Worst Olympic Athlete
Meet Alexander—a boy living in Athens, Greece, in 380 BC. The famous Olympic games are just around the corner, and he gets to go and assist one of Athens’ prized athletes. But when the athlete gets sick the day of his competition, can Alexander uncover the plot against Athens and prove himself a hero?
The hilarious Long-Lost Secret Diary series puts readers inside the heads of unlucky people in unfortunate situations. The accessible, irreverent stories will keep young readers laughing as they learn the importance of not being afraid to learn from their mistakes. Get Real fact boxes featured throughout, as well as a glossary and additional back matter, provide historical context and background.
The hilarious Long-Lost Secret Diary series puts readers inside the heads of unlucky people in unfortunate situations. The accessible, irreverent stories will keep young readers laughing as they learn the importance of not being afraid to learn from their mistakes. Get Real fact boxes featured throughout, as well as a glossary and additional back matter, provide historical context and background.
200 pages, ebook
Published September 1, 2020
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 29, 2021
This was an adorable diary-style historical fiction book all about Alexander's adventure to the Olympics. I thoroughly enjoyed the little tidbits of factual information between the diary entries to provide more context to what was happening in the story. It was an informative, quick read and I'd imagine my students would love this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 22, 2020
A Low-Key but Remarkably Engaging Tale
These "Long-Lost Secret Diary..." books are very ambitious, and very successful, in melding engaging stories with interesting historical and scientific facts about slightly off-beat topics, (pirates, tomb hunters, Shakespearean actors, dinosaur hunters, movie directors). This time around we learn about Ancient Greece and the Olympics in the company of a boy, Alexander, who attends the games as a page for one of the Athenian competitors.
The story is not told in a non-fictional style, but rather in a funny kid adventure way. So, our hero is a bit of a klutz and is inclined to have odd and amusing adventures. Along the way we get to travel to Olympus, practice for the Games, participate in the Games, and even solve a mystery and right an injustice. And it's all done with good humor and a light touch. We even get a nice balance of slap stick and gripping action, with a strong narrative beat and a fast pace.
So, this would be fine just as a humorous historical adventure tale. But, as they say in the commercials, there's even more! Alexander, who narrates the story with an appropriately cheerful and energetic voice, gives us a lot of running commentary and explanation about what's going on around him, so the reader also gets a subtle and engaging lecture of sorts. Plus, at the end of each chapter there's a sort of sidebar called "Get Real", which steps outside of the story and directly addresses the facts behind something that happened in the chapter. On top of that, in the back matter there are a few mini-essays, and an especially interesting summary of the feats of some of the most famous Olympians, starting from the very beginning and coming up to people like Muhammad Ali.
So, this is an entertainment, and a fine introduction to popular history, and a sports story, and a fun adventure tale, and a mystery book. With an engaging and good humored young narrator. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
These "Long-Lost Secret Diary..." books are very ambitious, and very successful, in melding engaging stories with interesting historical and scientific facts about slightly off-beat topics, (pirates, tomb hunters, Shakespearean actors, dinosaur hunters, movie directors). This time around we learn about Ancient Greece and the Olympics in the company of a boy, Alexander, who attends the games as a page for one of the Athenian competitors.
The story is not told in a non-fictional style, but rather in a funny kid adventure way. So, our hero is a bit of a klutz and is inclined to have odd and amusing adventures. Along the way we get to travel to Olympus, practice for the Games, participate in the Games, and even solve a mystery and right an injustice. And it's all done with good humor and a light touch. We even get a nice balance of slap stick and gripping action, with a strong narrative beat and a fast pace.
So, this would be fine just as a humorous historical adventure tale. But, as they say in the commercials, there's even more! Alexander, who narrates the story with an appropriately cheerful and energetic voice, gives us a lot of running commentary and explanation about what's going on around him, so the reader also gets a subtle and engaging lecture of sorts. Plus, at the end of each chapter there's a sort of sidebar called "Get Real", which steps outside of the story and directly addresses the facts behind something that happened in the chapter. On top of that, in the back matter there are a few mini-essays, and an especially interesting summary of the feats of some of the most famous Olympians, starting from the very beginning and coming up to people like Muhammad Ali.
So, this is an entertainment, and a fine introduction to popular history, and a sports story, and a fun adventure tale, and a mystery book. With an engaging and good humored young narrator. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
August 25, 2020
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
2.5 stars- mostly solid to solid
This is the first book in this series that I have read. It is an illustrated diary format story, which in this case I think cuts into some of the action of the story. Alexander retells what happens after the fact. While the advantages of the diary format - getting his insights and thoughts and reactions - are greater than the losses, it does make the first 2/3 of the book on the slow side. From the final event through the end, I enjoyed the story. Some of the conflicts are predictable, but there were a couple surprises.
Readers who love the Olympics may enjoy the extensive notes both in the text as well as in the end notes. The format of the in-story notes is great - they are placed at the end of an entry where there is a natural break rather than inserted mid-entry. In other books I have read, this has been an issue, so I greatly appreciated how they were handled here. (Illustrations include bare backsides due to the early Olympians competing nude.)
2.5 stars- mostly solid to solid
This is the first book in this series that I have read. It is an illustrated diary format story, which in this case I think cuts into some of the action of the story. Alexander retells what happens after the fact. While the advantages of the diary format - getting his insights and thoughts and reactions - are greater than the losses, it does make the first 2/3 of the book on the slow side. From the final event through the end, I enjoyed the story. Some of the conflicts are predictable, but there were a couple surprises.
Readers who love the Olympics may enjoy the extensive notes both in the text as well as in the end notes. The format of the in-story notes is great - they are placed at the end of an entry where there is a natural break rather than inserted mid-entry. In other books I have read, this has been an issue, so I greatly appreciated how they were handled here. (Illustrations include bare backsides due to the early Olympians competing nude.)
August 24, 2020
Want to experience the original Olympic games? Want to learn about the journey of a hero? This diary would probably give you what you need!
A short story that would transport you to the ancient times were things were hard and athletes were seen as city champions (heroes, some may say). Though the eyes of a young Athenian boy will attend one of the first Olympic games and understand the path, challenges and rewards this required.
As a teacher this will be and amazing tool to get my students to dive in ancient Greece, not only by the brilliant illustration (both drawn and described) of everyday life, but also by the various references to political, social, economic and cultural particularities of the time.
And incredible addition to any home library for those young readers, as well as a refreshing and fun review of ancient times for the older ones.
A copy of the book was provided free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A short story that would transport you to the ancient times were things were hard and athletes were seen as city champions (heroes, some may say). Though the eyes of a young Athenian boy will attend one of the first Olympic games and understand the path, challenges and rewards this required.
As a teacher this will be and amazing tool to get my students to dive in ancient Greece, not only by the brilliant illustration (both drawn and described) of everyday life, but also by the various references to political, social, economic and cultural particularities of the time.
And incredible addition to any home library for those young readers, as well as a refreshing and fun review of ancient times for the older ones.
A copy of the book was provided free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2025
I enjoyed this humorous, fast-paced look at life in Athens in 380BC. The illustrations added to the humour. The factual information set the scene, too.
Alexander is a weedy kid who is no athlete, at a time when that is what makes a man. He is sent as the servant companion of Dracon, a pentathlete who is competing in Olympia. Alexander’s job is to get everything ready for him, ensure he has meals and rest, so that he can be the strongest athlete there and bring fame and fortune for himself, his servant, and Athens.
Gambling is prohibited, as are corrupt judges, but that doesn’t stop it from happening. Dracon is the strongest athlete there and looks like he will win the pentathlon. That is, until he gets sick after eating food from the market. Desperate to do his best as a substitute for Dracon, Alexander sets out to win. Nothing goes to plan.
Recommended for readers aged eight years and older.
Alexander is a weedy kid who is no athlete, at a time when that is what makes a man. He is sent as the servant companion of Dracon, a pentathlete who is competing in Olympia. Alexander’s job is to get everything ready for him, ensure he has meals and rest, so that he can be the strongest athlete there and bring fame and fortune for himself, his servant, and Athens.
Gambling is prohibited, as are corrupt judges, but that doesn’t stop it from happening. Dracon is the strongest athlete there and looks like he will win the pentathlon. That is, until he gets sick after eating food from the market. Desperate to do his best as a substitute for Dracon, Alexander sets out to win. Nothing goes to plan.
Recommended for readers aged eight years and older.
June 24, 2020
"The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World's Worst Olympic Athlete" is a cute little book for younger children.
I liked that the author added some historical notes and the appendix with short biographies of real competitors was a nice touch.
I liked that the author added some historical notes and the appendix with short biographies of real competitors was a nice touch.
July 16, 2020
Netgalley ♥️ Alexander lives in Athens. He is destined for great things. I liked the pictures. Alexander is going off on an adventure with Dracon. I didn't think it was too cutesy.
November 8, 2025
B. fiction, children's fiction middle grades; adventures of young Roman boy
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews