Scan barcode
lsparrow's review
4.0
A childrens chapter book about two girls who meet in boarding school and forge a friendship and find space for themselves.
I cant say that this was a work of literary genius, and not a book I would generally recommend - although it was one of those times where you read a book and hear so clearly a part of your own experience. Although it did not reflect the geography or other cultural factors of my childhood - i felt it captures many of the experiences I had, homesickness, seeking friendship, trying to figure out the rules and following or breaking them, midnight feasts, pie beds, interpersonal dramas, secret languages and games.
I cant say that this was a work of literary genius, and not a book I would generally recommend - although it was one of those times where you read a book and hear so clearly a part of your own experience. Although it did not reflect the geography or other cultural factors of my childhood - i felt it captures many of the experiences I had, homesickness, seeking friendship, trying to figure out the rules and following or breaking them, midnight feasts, pie beds, interpersonal dramas, secret languages and games.
joneskat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jessfindsjoy's review
2.0
This was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid because nothing inherently bad happened, it was just a cozy story of two girls at a boarding school becoming friends and growing up a bit that year. The only "drama" and bad things were things like getting in trouble in class or staying up too late. It was nice to have that comfort then.
NOW, it's probably one of the most boring books I've ever read. Cozy, sure. Comforting because of the nostalgia, absolutely. But my goodness did it just drag and drag and DRAG. Not to mention, Martha, the best friend of the mc, is a little
NOW, it's probably one of the most boring books I've ever read. Cozy, sure. Comforting because of the nostalgia, absolutely. But my goodness did it just drag and drag and DRAG. Not to mention, Martha, the best friend of the mc, is a little
pridiansky's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
*Contains some spoilers*
I feel bad because I think this book is probably a beloved classic for some, but I just don't have that attachment to it. It was published in 1960, so I'll cut it some slack. I don't think a lot of children's books were exactly innovative or cutting edge back then. It's supposed to be a sweet story about girls at a boarding school and their shenanigans. They're just doing their best to enjoy some of their time at boarding school, even though they don't want to be there. Their bond with each other and the fun they get up to makes the experience more tolerable. I definitely didn't hate it, but what I do hate is the title. This book isn't really about a "secret language," which is annoying, because I think it would've been a way better book if it had been. Their "secret language" consists of only three words, with the meanings being "cool," "not cool," and "disgusting." Yeah, really. That's it. I went into this expecting a code that they write each other notes in and stuff, the way I did with my classmates when I was in school. But instead it was just this, and I was disappointed. Calling this The Secret Language is like if The Secret Garden was actually just a couple potted plants on a window sill. It's a little lame. ^^;;; It definitely tricked me into thinking it was more intriguing than it actually is. In general, the writing style feels a little too condescending and goody two-shoes for my tastes, like it was supposed to be an etiquette lesson for little girls. Oh, and at the end of the book the house mother tells them how having a secret language "isn't thoughtful," which struck me as pretty hilarious. Like as if their three words weren't obvious in meaning already. I guess she would prefer them to call someone disgusting to their face instead of saying it in a way that the person won't understand? You decide which is worse. XD
As for characters, I started off really not liking the main character, Victoria, because she's such a self-pitying crybaby, and loving Martha, who is sort of this sassy, color outside the lines kind of girl. She brings Victoria out of her shell, which was nice. But then as time went on, Martha becomes a little insufferable and Victoria is better as a character, but still too boring. Martha is contrarian to a degree that became irritating to me and she kind of strong-arms Victoria into situations she's not necessarily comfortable with. Martha also keeps talking about going home and attending day school. She says it so often that I really thought there was something weird going on with her family life, but it turned out to be nothing? The way the character is written, I was almost positive her mother was dead or something, (especially when she won't call the house mother "Mother Carrie") but there is no such reason. She's just kind of a brat. It would have made more sense if she acted out because she had some tragedy in her life, but nope. I just found it a strange choice not to elaborate. She would have been more sympathetic if they had revealed something at the end and she had grown as a character despite that. I guess that was too much to expect. I did enjoy some of their activities together and thought it was sweet when they built a fort and played pretend with dolls inside of a dresser drawer. It definitely felt reminiscent of childhood, even though I can't identify with the boarding school aspect. I think the best thing about this book were the occasional illustrations in my edition, but if this wasn't the original copy from 1960, I probably wouldn't be keeping it.
I feel bad because I think this book is probably a beloved classic for some, but I just don't have that attachment to it. It was published in 1960, so I'll cut it some slack. I don't think a lot of children's books were exactly innovative or cutting edge back then. It's supposed to be a sweet story about girls at a boarding school and their shenanigans. They're just doing their best to enjoy some of their time at boarding school, even though they don't want to be there. Their bond with each other and the fun they get up to makes the experience more tolerable. I definitely didn't hate it, but what I do hate is the title. This book isn't really about a "secret language," which is annoying, because I think it would've been a way better book if it had been. Their "secret language" consists of only three words, with the meanings being "cool," "not cool," and "disgusting." Yeah, really. That's it. I went into this expecting a code that they write each other notes in and stuff, the way I did with my classmates when I was in school. But instead it was just this, and I was disappointed. Calling this The Secret Language is like if The Secret Garden was actually just a couple potted plants on a window sill. It's a little lame. ^^;;; It definitely tricked me into thinking it was more intriguing than it actually is. In general, the writing style feels a little too condescending and goody two-shoes for my tastes, like it was supposed to be an etiquette lesson for little girls. Oh, and at the end of the book the house mother tells them how having a secret language "isn't thoughtful," which struck me as pretty hilarious. Like as if their three words weren't obvious in meaning already. I guess she would prefer them to call someone disgusting to their face instead of saying it in a way that the person won't understand? You decide which is worse. XD
As for characters, I started off really not liking the main character, Victoria, because she's such a self-pitying crybaby, and loving Martha, who is sort of this sassy, color outside the lines kind of girl. She brings Victoria out of her shell, which was nice. But then as time went on, Martha becomes a little insufferable and Victoria is better as a character, but still too boring. Martha is contrarian to a degree that became irritating to me and she kind of strong-arms Victoria into situations she's not necessarily comfortable with. Martha also keeps talking about going home and attending day school. She says it so often that I really thought there was something weird going on with her family life, but it turned out to be nothing? The way the character is written, I was almost positive her mother was dead or something, (especially when she won't call the house mother "Mother Carrie") but there is no such reason. She's just kind of a brat. It would have made more sense if she acted out because she had some tragedy in her life, but nope. I just found it a strange choice not to elaborate. She would have been more sympathetic if they had revealed something at the end and she had grown as a character despite that. I guess that was too much to expect. I did enjoy some of their activities together and thought it was sweet when they built a fort and played pretend with dolls inside of a dresser drawer. It definitely felt reminiscent of childhood, even though I can't identify with the boarding school aspect. I think the best thing about this book were the occasional illustrations in my edition, but if this wasn't the original copy from 1960, I probably wouldn't be keeping it.
conspystery's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
blusocket's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Knowing that Ursula Nordstrom was a lesbian and burned her manuscript of the sequel to this book before she died lends its focus on the complicated, bittersweet romance of childhood a lot of pathos. I think Victoria and Martha are going to be really special to me for a long time.
library_hungry's review against another edition
3.0
There's a lot of sadness in this book--which I think is really honest in a book about 8-year-olds at boarding school. It's sweet and fun and very charming.
lsloan84's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book a million times and each time it's slightly different. It's definitely a child's book, no challenge for adults, but it's such a sweet story. My mom read this book as a child and passed along her 1968 paperback version to me when I was a child. It is a well-loved copy of the book, falling apart it the binding. I haven't read it since probably middle school or early high school, so I decided to read it again. As with many books, I picked up on different things this time. There's no overarching struggle or mystery in this book, just an 8-year-old girl trying to survive her 1st year away at boarding school. She struggles with homesickness, loneliness, and finding her place with her new best friend.
charlotte_v's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5