What do you think?
Rate this book
The Indian in the Cupboard #3
The Secret of the Indian
The adventure deepens . . . In The Return of the Indian, Omri found he could transport himself and his friend Patrick back in history to the dangerous days of his miniature companions. Now, in the secret of the indian, Patrick time-travels back to the rough-and-tumble frontier age of his cowboy friend, Boone. When he returns to the present day, he's accompanied by a disastrous bit of Texas weather that devastates half of England.
147 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
149 people are currently reading
2385 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Reid Banks
97 books401 followersLynne Reid Banks is a British author of books for children and adults. She has written forty books, including the best-selling children's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, which has sold over 10 million copies and been made into a film.
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after the war was over. She attended St Teresa's School in Surrey. Prior to becoming a writer Banks was an actress, and also worked as a television journalist in Britain, one of the first women to do so. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, was published in 1960.
In 1962 Banks emigrated to Israel, where she taught for eight years on an Israeli kibbutz Yasur. In 1965 she married Chaim Stephenson, with whom she had three sons. Although the family returned to England in 1971 and Banks now lives in Dorset, the influence of her time in Israel can be seen in some of her books which are set partially or mainly on kibbutzim.
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after the war was over. She attended St Teresa's School in Surrey. Prior to becoming a writer Banks was an actress, and also worked as a television journalist in Britain, one of the first women to do so. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, was published in 1960.
In 1962 Banks emigrated to Israel, where she taught for eight years on an Israeli kibbutz Yasur. In 1965 she married Chaim Stephenson, with whom she had three sons. Although the family returned to England in 1971 and Banks now lives in Dorset, the influence of her time in Israel can be seen in some of her books which are set partially or mainly on kibbutzim.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
May 11, 2007
These books are such fun. I like that they make kids think about responsibility and putting others first, but never become preachy.
August 31, 2009
then Lynne Reid had to get creative. The kid goes back in time. Oh man. Fuck you Harry Potter.
May 15, 2014
This book takes up exactly where the previous book, "The Return of the Indian" left off. Omri's parents come home, and Omri and Patrick tell of the attempted burglary. Meanwhile, the injured Indians from the previous book's misadventure require more expert medical care than their nurse figure can provide. Patrick's cousin Emma is let in on the secret and helps to obtain surgical figures from her twin sister. In this book, Patrick travels to Boone's time in the Old West and is rescued by Ruby Lou. When Patrick returns, he brings along Ruby Lou and a tornado that was about to hit. The extensive damage to the house and city provides a distraction to the adults who were close to discovering the secret. Boone and Ruby were trapped in modern time when the magic key was lost in the tornado. When Omri finds the key in the debris, the friends help to arrange Boone and Ruby's wedding before sending them back to their own time.
August 22, 2017
It really feels like this book should have been combined with "Return of the Indian." It's short, not much happens, and what does happen is pretty much all a direct result of the events of the previous book. In that it begins about six hours after that book ends, and completes the plot of the Iroquois injured in Little Bear's battle. The only reason I can imagine that they're not combined is that the books were published four years apart, so perhaps Banks hadn't intended to write a third, but, but then thought "you know what I didn't do yet? Get Boone a lady-friend."
And that's pretty much the only thing of note that happens in this story. Boone gets married. There, I saved you an hour or two of reading.
Yes, the general quality of writing is maintained, but that doesn't matter when the plot just lays there. Unresponsive. A real disappointment after the first two books in the series.
And that's pretty much the only thing of note that happens in this story. Boone gets married. There, I saved you an hour or two of reading.
Yes, the general quality of writing is maintained, but that doesn't matter when the plot just lays there. Unresponsive. A real disappointment after the first two books in the series.
February 2, 2015
These books continue to be entertaining. Interested to see how the next one will turn out.
March 1, 2019
Another great story about Omri, Patrick, and their "little people." It picks up right where the second book in the series leaves off. I loved the new character, Ruby Lou.
April 24, 2019
While a part of me feels that the first book would have been better as a standalone, this book did have an interesting twist to it. I ended up liking it better than the previous book, even though it takes place immediately after that one ended. I enjoyed the addition of Ruby Lou and found her and Boone's relationship to be cute.
This book also addresses racism toward Native Americans. There is one instance where the main character calls out his principal for not using the correct terms during the time period. A storyline concerning the principal is also brought back into this story with satisfying results.
Things wrapped up a little too neatly but overall this was a fun sequel. I like Patrick less and less the more the series goes on, though. Was hoping his character would be maturing a little by now.
3.5 stars
This book also addresses racism toward Native Americans. There is one instance where the main character calls out his principal for not using the correct terms during the time period. A storyline concerning the principal is also brought back into this story with satisfying results.
Things wrapped up a little too neatly but overall this was a fun sequel. I like Patrick less and less the more the series goes on, though. Was hoping his character would be maturing a little by now.
3.5 stars
March 15, 2012
Not as much fun as the previous two books (although we loved meeting Ruby). I'm not sure what part of Texas the author was describing, but it sounded more like the deserts of Arizona or New Mexico than the rolling hills of Texas that I'm familiar with.
A good fantasy makes it seem like what the author is describing COULD be possible, because the "rules" are consistent. Now the "rules" for the magic cupboard and chest are starting to get muddy.
Still, this series has been a great discovery for my 9yo son. He's enjoying all the books and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
A good fantasy makes it seem like what the author is describing COULD be possible, because the "rules" are consistent. Now the "rules" for the magic cupboard and chest are starting to get muddy.
Still, this series has been a great discovery for my 9yo son. He's enjoying all the books and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
May 19, 2015
The Secret of the Indian, the third book in the Indian and the Cupboard series, was good. It was more exciting than the second book, The Return of the Indian, but was not perfect. There is more drama and excitement, at least a sufficient amount for me to continue reading the series, yet the book started slow and often described past events in the previous book. While this could be helpful, it is unnecessary since almost all readers read the first two books before this one.
January 2, 2019
My first book I've read of 2019. I started at 1am on January 2nd 2019 and finished it at 5am the same day. I had a few breaks, i nearly fell asleep because i am and was tired but i didn't because i wanted to finish this book.
I used to read these books in a book club in primary school. I truly loved them before and now i still love them. Heartwarming and wonderful book📚
I used to read these books in a book club in primary school. I truly loved them before and now i still love them. Heartwarming and wonderful book📚
May 8, 2015
I was a bit disappointed with this book. There was a lot more fluff than action and it was quite repetitive. The author dedicated an entire chapter to retell what had happened in the first two books and continued with this throughout the entire book.
October 7, 2020
it's good but feels a little short and as if it's kind of cut off just to so there a next book. I'll be reading the next book but I feel it should have kept going in this one and the the details where lacking from some of the other books.
March 12, 2021
This series demonstrates the law of diminishing returns. This book has a good set up but makes some strange decisions in terms of where to focus its attentions, squandering the potential. There are better options out there, unless you're desperate to finish the series.
January 6, 2020
I think kids who like adventures and excitement would like this book. In this book a new character is introduced and her name is Emma. She is Patrick's cousin. An important thing about Emma is
that she can tell anybody about the cupboard. They have to trust her to keep the secret.
that she can tell anybody about the cupboard. They have to trust her to keep the secret.
March 18, 2010
With our family an ocean away from what was once home, it is entertaining to see what books made it into our suitcases this past September. The Secret of the Indian was just such a book. I grew up being fascinated with the first installment in this series, but I had not realized there was a string of them. It was even more entertaining to realize that we had brought a book to England that had been written by a British author. All of the phrases that we now recognize as “so British” were peppered through Lynn Reid Banks’ pages. I liked being able to relate on this new cultural level.
As far as the scope and quality of the work, it seemed to appeal to that childlike fascination of the possibility that toys could be real people, that it could happen...it gratifies that childhood longing to have something fantastically magical bring those toys to life...those toys that look like they could start moving at any moment - if you just look long enough. Granted, reading this book did not leave me feeling like I had been emotionally charged with a new vision of life and how I might succeed, or with that feeling that I understood the underpinnings of my world a bit more clearly. It was more of a feeling of appreciation to the author for finding a solution to something that felt close to not being solved. The possibilities of solutions as a writer are endless, but employing them in a way that is consistent in the novel, especially in one where a large bulk of the book takes place in the supposedly “real world” while interspersing the unbelievable with reality. I will admit that this portion of the book made it more difficult for me, with my newfound awareness of suspending my disbelief, to actually suspend my disbelief in certain moments of the story where the surreal overlapped with reality. I am becoming more involved in determining if the author has been able to create a believable secondary reality, as well as the author’s authenticity and consistency (which all probably point back to that ability to help a reader suspend one’s disbelief).
The book seemed much more simplistic to me and less mystical that its predecessor did to me in my younger years, but I could see that it drew my two young boys in just as powerfully a I once had been. I definitely think that this book caters well to their age group. I noticed the patterns that have been somewhat outlined within the fantasy genre. There is the protagonist of the story who faces challenges in a complicated secondary world where much of the resolution of the story is reliant upon his ability to overcome and navigate through the almost impossible terrain. The ending certainly brings with it feelings of justice and satisfaction in spite of a bit of emotional letdown and a few tragedies. I must admit that although cleverly done and a favorite for my children and from my childhood, I find that if I am reading a fantasy genre book for myself, I would prefer something that would simultaneously cater to a more mature audience, as well. I do not expect every fantasy book to do this, especially considering the audience for which this book was geared has nothing to do with thirty-somethings, but it is always refreshing when an author manages to reach across the gap of ages.
As far as the scope and quality of the work, it seemed to appeal to that childlike fascination of the possibility that toys could be real people, that it could happen...it gratifies that childhood longing to have something fantastically magical bring those toys to life...those toys that look like they could start moving at any moment - if you just look long enough. Granted, reading this book did not leave me feeling like I had been emotionally charged with a new vision of life and how I might succeed, or with that feeling that I understood the underpinnings of my world a bit more clearly. It was more of a feeling of appreciation to the author for finding a solution to something that felt close to not being solved. The possibilities of solutions as a writer are endless, but employing them in a way that is consistent in the novel, especially in one where a large bulk of the book takes place in the supposedly “real world” while interspersing the unbelievable with reality. I will admit that this portion of the book made it more difficult for me, with my newfound awareness of suspending my disbelief, to actually suspend my disbelief in certain moments of the story where the surreal overlapped with reality. I am becoming more involved in determining if the author has been able to create a believable secondary reality, as well as the author’s authenticity and consistency (which all probably point back to that ability to help a reader suspend one’s disbelief).
The book seemed much more simplistic to me and less mystical that its predecessor did to me in my younger years, but I could see that it drew my two young boys in just as powerfully a I once had been. I definitely think that this book caters well to their age group. I noticed the patterns that have been somewhat outlined within the fantasy genre. There is the protagonist of the story who faces challenges in a complicated secondary world where much of the resolution of the story is reliant upon his ability to overcome and navigate through the almost impossible terrain. The ending certainly brings with it feelings of justice and satisfaction in spite of a bit of emotional letdown and a few tragedies. I must admit that although cleverly done and a favorite for my children and from my childhood, I find that if I am reading a fantasy genre book for myself, I would prefer something that would simultaneously cater to a more mature audience, as well. I do not expect every fantasy book to do this, especially considering the audience for which this book was geared has nothing to do with thirty-somethings, but it is always refreshing when an author manages to reach across the gap of ages.
March 13, 2014
I love this book. The author keeps the suspense the whole book every time Omri's about to get caught by one of the adults. The author keeps the suspense in a good slow way. Especially at the climax of the book.
The author explains what Omri's and Patrick's feelings are. Together author doesn't doesn't just say what they are thinking. She says what they see and physical feelings of pain and relief. As the air does that it shows what the other person is feeling in a inferring way from the main character's point of view.
I also like how the author describes what is going on in the story very well so that I can get a really good picture in my head of what is going on in the story. Like when it says " The main memory, later was of stupendous noise, a deafening roar that filled the room to bursting." That is good describing.
The author explains what Omri's and Patrick's feelings are. Together author doesn't doesn't just say what they are thinking. She says what they see and physical feelings of pain and relief. As the air does that it shows what the other person is feeling in a inferring way from the main character's point of view.
I also like how the author describes what is going on in the story very well so that I can get a really good picture in my head of what is going on in the story. Like when it says " The main memory, later was of stupendous noise, a deafening roar that filled the room to bursting." That is good describing.
December 5, 2014
The Indian in the Cupboard series was an incredible reading experience from start to finish, and The Secret of the Indian lacked not one whit in perpetuating the high quality of the story. Such action and excitement, driven by the emotions of the narrative and life or death occasionally hanging by the careworn thread of an animated plastic figure's ability to administer lifesaving medical care, made for reading one won't likely forget. I need to go back and read these again sometime so I can write a more meaningful, detailed review. I greatly look forward to that day.
May 1, 2014
A strong close to the opening 3 stories. This featured a return on the warmer and uplifting motifs which I enjoyed so much in The Indian in the Cupboard, and avoiding entirely the overly dark themes of The Return of the Indian.
November 9, 2015
Hello! this is what i think of the secret of the indians
One of the main charactrers is a kid named Omri and it
is mostly about the indians or Native Americans their secret
also this book feels real becaus native americansdid actually exist and this could be based on to real facts
overall i enjoyed it.
One of the main charactrers is a kid named Omri and it
is mostly about the indians or Native Americans their secret
also this book feels real becaus native americansdid actually exist and this could be based on to real facts
overall i enjoyed it.
March 10, 2014
The Secret of the Indian (The Indian in the Cupboard #3) by Lynne Reid Banks (Avon Books 1989)(Fiction). In this installment, Omri must transport into the Indian's world to save England. My rating: 4/10, finished 2005.
April 18, 2014
I loved this story. I even laughed after the cyclone tore through Omri's house. The headmaster got what he deserved. Omri decides that it is safer to lock the key away, but since there are 2 more books in the series, I can't wait to see what kind of adventure will happen next.
June 9, 2015
I liked it. In this book of it, they have to hill a lot of the Indians that died in the second book and even when the key can bring back everything. So Omri got Patrick back cause Patrick went to Texas, he brought back a Tornado to and they have to do it.
March 3, 2014
Second in the "Indian" series. Good kids' book. Starts about a year after "The Indian in the Cupboard".
May 4, 2014
This book was a little boring in the first few chapters but then it got interesting. I like this book.
I wish I had a magical key like the one Omri had! :D
I wish I had a magical key like the one Omri had! :D
December 24, 2014
Still liking the series. Short and simple.
May 23, 2023
The fourth book is an amazing book, the secret of the Indian. This book little different because it takes us to the Wild Wild West where one of the protagonist time travel to the Wild Wild West which is just amazing and mind blowing. I just wished this never got over things about people . . . small little people, but these are the memories that will live with me as long as I am alive.
There is still time travel in the book. I can't wait to read the next book where it explains how all of this could happen.
I was in a reading slump for the past one month and I pick this up to finish, it didn't take a lot of time from it to read it. Finished it in 3 hours.
I like how the book is written . . . in a lay back slow living time, and how the children and the family lived in those days, even though it was written around 30 years ago this is just amazing.
I really do believe that they are little people . . . I wish they are people who read the same kind of books I read, but, I know the little people are out there watching us. I know that they out there . . . maybe If I'm lucky one day I get to see one of them and also maybe time travel.
There is still time travel in the book. I can't wait to read the next book where it explains how all of this could happen.
I was in a reading slump for the past one month and I pick this up to finish, it didn't take a lot of time from it to read it. Finished it in 3 hours.
I like how the book is written . . . in a lay back slow living time, and how the children and the family lived in those days, even though it was written around 30 years ago this is just amazing.
I really do believe that they are little people . . . I wish they are people who read the same kind of books I read, but, I know the little people are out there watching us. I know that they out there . . . maybe If I'm lucky one day I get to see one of them and also maybe time travel.
October 9, 2019
The book, The Secret of the Indian, inspired my imagination and changed my view of the world. Omri, the main protagonist, has to keep the secret about a magic cupboard that turns plastic toys into real objects. The book kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time and never got uninteresting. The way Lynne Reid Banks wrote the story made me feel like I was in the story and living it out in my mind. In my opinion, Omri and Patrick are very trustworthy and mature through out the book. They also had very fast wits that became useful when they had to come up with an excuse to defend their secret about the cupboard and their living plastic people. My overall thoughts on the book is that the storyline is well written and you stay intrigued throughout the book. I would recommend this to kids 8-12 because the use of imagination will be interesting to them and will teach them how to be trustworthy in harsh situations.
November 17, 2019
This one wasn't bad. But since it takes place a few hours after the last book I feel like they could've easily been combined into one- especially because it's a rather short story when you take out the recap.
The story is okay, though some parts are rather baffling - like Patrick's parents never checking in with Omri's parents and never reporting their child missing - they just accepted that he was with them and that he will come home eventually-
Ruby Lou and Tickle were really cool and funny characters though and I enjoyed them greatly. Matron was an okay character too.
The ending was fine but the cupboard is getting more and more busted every book and it can now suddenly transfer tornados from the past- that was just weird I guess. Also I love how a branch hit the head of the principal in the end just so nobody would believe him when he mentioned little people again.
It's an okay book but it wasn't as good as the first two.
The story is okay, though some parts are rather baffling - like Patrick's parents never checking in with Omri's parents and never reporting their child missing - they just accepted that he was with them and that he will come home eventually-
Ruby Lou and Tickle were really cool and funny characters though and I enjoyed them greatly. Matron was an okay character too.
The ending was fine but the cupboard is getting more and more busted every book and it can now suddenly transfer tornados from the past- that was just weird I guess. Also I love how a branch hit the head of the principal in the end just so nobody would believe him when he mentioned little people again.
It's an okay book but it wasn't as good as the first two.
September 26, 2017
This was actually my favorite of the series so far. We see more growth from Omni and Patrick, meet Patrick's cousins Tamsin & Emma, and finally see the previous remarks about Natives as savage addressed and corrected, Omni standing up to his school headmaster to do so. I do love that the experiences Omri, Patrick, & Emma have with Little Bear & Boone, Bright Stars & Matron, Ficketts & Ruby, lead the three kids to further their own knowledge about historical events. And yet, they still manage to be kids, screw up royally sometimes, and struggle to set to rights the things they have been irresponsible about.
February 5, 2020
Fun continuation of the story.
I love the addition of Emma.
I enjoy listening to the author read the book.
*spoiler*
It was too difficult for me to suspend my disbelief when Patrick and Omri decide it’s ok for Patrick to go back to Boone’s time for a whole WEEK - the morning after they fight off skinheads, two days after Omri goes to Little Bull’s time for a few hours and almost dies, when they know they have no way to communicate if something is wrong, AND most importantly, when Patrick’s mother is looking for him and wants him to go home NOW...even teenage boys aren’t that idiotic. Are they???
For this, I had to knock off a star.
I love the addition of Emma.
I enjoy listening to the author read the book.
*spoiler*
It was too difficult for me to suspend my disbelief when Patrick and Omri decide it’s ok for Patrick to go back to Boone’s time for a whole WEEK - the morning after they fight off skinheads, two days after Omri goes to Little Bull’s time for a few hours and almost dies, when they know they have no way to communicate if something is wrong, AND most importantly, when Patrick’s mother is looking for him and wants him to go home NOW...even teenage boys aren’t that idiotic. Are they???
For this, I had to knock off a star.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews