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Don't Breathe a Word
Award-winning author Marianne Musgrove brings her light touch to a story of family, growing up and keeping secrets that is nailbiting and heartwarming in equal measure.'I, Mackenzie Elizabeth Carew, do solemnly swear never to communicate anything about what happened tonight.'That's what I promised my sister Tahlia, and I've tried my best to keep that promise. It's hard, though. Grandpa is acting so strangely since his accident. I'm sure Mrs B. suspects something, and Mahesh must think I'm weird for avoiding him. My best friend Annie is too busy hanging out with Regan and Tegan to notice. But someone will find out if we're not super careful. It's lucky Tahlia has a plan . . .
- GenresChildrens
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2009
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 17, 2021
I picked this one up in the street library. Opened it and read these words, written in a decidedly adult hand, "This book is worth reading!" True.
Tahlia and Kenzie, 15, and 11, lost their parents in an accident and have been living with Grandpa for some years. But Grandpa is of an age and not doing so great. He's fallen and hurt his ankle in a strange (in hindsight anyway) accident. These two sisters make a discovery and vow to keep a secret about Grandpa. But they are very young and things go awry. Though they don't realize it right away, they are lucky so many things do go wrong.
Written in 2009, but stands the test of time. It is funny, heartwarming, and educational. The writer of those words was right.
This is a book worth reading.
Tahlia and Kenzie, 15, and 11, lost their parents in an accident and have been living with Grandpa for some years. But Grandpa is of an age and not doing so great. He's fallen and hurt his ankle in a strange (in hindsight anyway) accident. These two sisters make a discovery and vow to keep a secret about Grandpa. But they are very young and things go awry. Though they don't realize it right away, they are lucky so many things do go wrong.
Written in 2009, but stands the test of time. It is funny, heartwarming, and educational. The writer of those words was right.
This is a book worth reading.
April 13, 2022
Are you looking for a book about a problematic grandpa (he's not really problematic he's just forgetful)
I quite like this book because there is good little problems that they have to solve not large random problems that take the whole book to solve so I recommend this book to anyone who likes short funny problems
Don't breathe a word is about a young student called Mackenzie and she has to deal with her forgetful grandpa while her sister Tahlia promises to be home but she isn't always home. can Mackenzie deal with her grandpa while dealing with her social life?
I like the book because it's got a good story, a great setting, an amazing variety characters, pretty good humour and most importantly interesting complications.
I think something that might make it better is how the characters keep jumping between locations of the book quickly, like for example one minute their at the movies the next is there at the bank now this doesn't happen all the time but it would be good if they could maybe drag it out a bit more
In conclusion I think don't breathe word is a great book. I read this book because I wanted to see how it ended, after reading the book though I think it is more targeted at a female audience
I quite like this book because there is good little problems that they have to solve not large random problems that take the whole book to solve so I recommend this book to anyone who likes short funny problems
Don't breathe a word is about a young student called Mackenzie and she has to deal with her forgetful grandpa while her sister Tahlia promises to be home but she isn't always home. can Mackenzie deal with her grandpa while dealing with her social life?
I like the book because it's got a good story, a great setting, an amazing variety characters, pretty good humour and most importantly interesting complications.
I think something that might make it better is how the characters keep jumping between locations of the book quickly, like for example one minute their at the movies the next is there at the bank now this doesn't happen all the time but it would be good if they could maybe drag it out a bit more
In conclusion I think don't breathe word is a great book. I read this book because I wanted to see how it ended, after reading the book though I think it is more targeted at a female audience
February 12, 2019
Mackenzie is a capable young female protagonist but my favourite character was the emotionally intelligent Mahesh. I like this sort of story that does not romanticize or trivialise childhood. Not all the humour struck a chord with me (I could have done without Grandpa being a womanizer) but the feelgood without naivety tone overall made it a worthwhile read.
Also I would give it to a child to read.
Also I would give it to a child to read.
November 17, 2015
A really fabulous book dealing with the problem of parental inversion.
Mackenzie and her sister Tahlia live with 'Pirate' their grandpa, so-called because of his sunken chest. Mum and dad have been killed in a boating accident and their only other relative is their half-sister, Lydia.
Pirate has an accident and seems to be wandering in his mind. Tahlia swears Kenzie to secrecy, afraid that his condition will mean they are split up and sent into foster care. At first Tahlia shares some of the burden of caring for Grandpa but gradually more and more is left to Kenzie. She's up several times a night, stopping Pirate from sleep-walking; constantly washing as he wets the bed; desperately hungry as he gives most of his pension to a charity worker and later forgets his pinnumber...
It's a story about a young girl thrust into an adult role as she grapples with phobias resulting from her parents' deaths, with the growing dementia of her carer and with her own inability to reach out for help.
Brilliant book.
Mackenzie and her sister Tahlia live with 'Pirate' their grandpa, so-called because of his sunken chest. Mum and dad have been killed in a boating accident and their only other relative is their half-sister, Lydia.
Pirate has an accident and seems to be wandering in his mind. Tahlia swears Kenzie to secrecy, afraid that his condition will mean they are split up and sent into foster care. At first Tahlia shares some of the burden of caring for Grandpa but gradually more and more is left to Kenzie. She's up several times a night, stopping Pirate from sleep-walking; constantly washing as he wets the bed; desperately hungry as he gives most of his pension to a charity worker and later forgets his pinnumber...
It's a story about a young girl thrust into an adult role as she grapples with phobias resulting from her parents' deaths, with the growing dementia of her carer and with her own inability to reach out for help.
Brilliant book.
April 25, 2011
This is the heart-warming story of two sisters who have been brought up by their Grandfather. One night, the girls find that Grandpa is acting strangely and getting confused easily. They decide it must be because he is taking some pain medication for his ankle which he sprained the day before. They decide not to tell anyone as they think he will go back to normal when he stops taking the medication. This is because they are afraid a grown up will take them away from him if they think he is going crazy and split them all up. Sadly, what the girls’ don’t realize is that Grandpa has dementia.
This is a beautiful story about growing up, coping with change, friendship, the relationship between sisters and the illness of dementia. Ages 9+
This is a beautiful story about growing up, coping with change, friendship, the relationship between sisters and the illness of dementia. Ages 9+
March 20, 2024
Took me a bit to finish, merely because I got bored after each page.
The writing itself is good, but I read this book because of Alzheimer and except the memory losses, that made life difficult for Kenzie & Thalia, it wasn’t really sth what I was looking for.
I do sometimes read stories like that, short and lightly, but Thalia was just way too annoying for me.
Overall, this is just not personally my thing, but I don’t think it’s a bad book in itself. Maybe reading it out loud to a younger kid (cousin/sibling/etc) would bring much more joy.
The writing itself is good, but I read this book because of Alzheimer and except the memory losses, that made life difficult for Kenzie & Thalia, it wasn’t really sth what I was looking for.
I do sometimes read stories like that, short and lightly, but Thalia was just way too annoying for me.
Overall, this is just not personally my thing, but I don’t think it’s a bad book in itself. Maybe reading it out loud to a younger kid (cousin/sibling/etc) would bring much more joy.
August 15, 2013
A well written, sensitive story about a girl coping with a deteriorating family situation. This is one of those stories where you wonder how on earth the situation can be resolved satisfactorily, but Marianne achieves it with good grace and humour. Everything works out in the end, which is a great message for kids dealing with difficulties. Hang in there - life is worth the effort. And so is this book!
September 11, 2011
I can't remember if we read this first, or Lucy the Good but both of them we read aloud after dinner. Fantastic reading for children and their parents!
January 16, 2015
I read this book a really long time ago when I was a very young girl and I loved it so much, you get to know the characters so well and it actually feels like your in the book. its fantastic writing by Marianne Musgrove it definitely takes you on a adventure.
November 14, 2012
A tough topic tackled well by the author. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews