The Secret School

Rating:
Summary: The secret is let out of the bag; it's not a good book.
Review: "The Secret School" did not live up to my expectations, but then again, I have high expectations for Avi. The plot sounded very intriguing, with a one-room school being closed down when the teacher leaves, and Ida becoming the secret teacher, because she is the most knowledgeable pupil out of her classmates, but once you finish the book, you'll feel empty, as if you missed a chapter or two. The characters were underdeveloped and the ending a little too sugar coated. Ida's parents were one-of-a-kind during this era, as most parents didn't want their daughter going past elementary school, especially farming families. The relationship between Tom and Ida was underdeveloped - we know they knew each other from early childhood and that they fancy each other, but that's all we know. Miss Sedgewick wasn't portrayed accurately in my opinion - no one, no matter what era, would allow an 8th grader to teach students. An epilogue was also lacking. The reason I give this book three stars, and not one, is because the topic *is* interesting, in it's own, bland way. Good for younger readers, being introduced to the 1920s life, but not a good way to acquaint yourself with Avi. Ten years and younger - I recommend ; 11 years and older - I do not recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Shh It's a Secret!!!! /By:AJY (Grade5)
Review: A quiet day in 1925, Ida Bidson and her classmates heard the terrible news. Her teacher had to go take care of her. Mr Jordon was closing the school down for good!!!! Ida felt like tearing every strand of hair out of her head because the exams for high-school was soon what should she do. All of a sudden Tom her best friend had a excellent idea but the idea had to be kept a secret.
I thought this book had great use of vocabulary and I never wanted to put it down. I reccomend this book for 4-6 grade girls and boys. Avi did it AGAIN!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: It's no secret...
Review: Taking place in a small rural Colorado turn in the 1920s, The Secret School takes a serious look at the educational values and views of women at that point in American history. When the schoolteacher must leave town before the end of the school year, the school board decides to close the one-room schoolhouse rather than hire a new teacher to save some money. Crushed by this news is 14 year old Ida who now will not be able to take her exit exams to continue on to high school in the Fall.

Ida, along with the support of the other 7 children of the school decides to become the teacher and finish out the school year. As this is a small valley, nothing stays secret for very long and Ida and her classmates must face the music.

This book serves an invaluable look at the history of the area and also of education and the struggles for women's rights. The superintendent wonders if girls even need to go to high school. This book would serve a purpose in guided reading groups or literature studies in upper-elementary grades and on through middle school.

Why 4 stars?:
This book serves an incredible purpose - it tells the struggles that women and educators have come through in the last 80 years. I only took a star away because the book did not make the issues more important but focused on the plot more. The plot, while entertaining failed to grab me as much as the questions about society. Still, this book definitely deserves to be read and find its way into elementary and middle school classrooms.

Rating:
Summary: Response to Literature
Review: The book I read is called The Secret School. It was really good. It was about a girl, Ida Bidson. She wanted to become a teacher, and needed to have her exit exam her eighth grade year. Things were looking good, but then her teacher, Miss Fletcher leaves. Mr. Jordan, the head of school board, decides to close the school instead of finding a new teacher. This breaks Ida's heart because next year may be too late for her to go to high school. Money depends on how well her family farm prospers. Her friend, Tom, mentions her being the teacher. This idea grows to a reality as she teaches secretly for quite a while. Mr. Jordan finds out and tries to close the school. Fortunately this doesn't work. So Ida, along with her students pass the exit exam. Now she can finally have a chance of going to high school.

I thought this was very brave of her to teach at such a young age. I would never have enough courage or confidence to do this. She acts as if it's no big deal. Even though I want to become a teacher someday I know I am far away from my goal. She had problems, but she didn't seem to handle them any different from an experienced teacher. "I'd [meaning Herbert, the troublemaker] sure like to see your make me [referring to the very nervous Ida on her first day.]"All in all she did very well. I hope if I do get to be a teacher myself, I'll be like her.

I most disliked the character of Mr. Jordan. I'm sure Avi meant to make readers dislike him. She did a very good job of it too. He was made out to be mean, bossy. In my opinion I think guys and girls are equal. It might be partly because I am a girl, either way that's how I view it. I think most of today's people agree with me. In the 1920's when this story takes place it was different. Girls were no comparison to the almighty man. I think all that's so dumb. Mr. Jordan, along with being the one who doesn't want the school to stay open, also thinks it's pointless to teach girls. I took it that he was implying that guys were better. "... I'm not so sure a girl needs a high school education," (Avi 11). I can just imagine him saying this emphasizing the word girl.

I thought it was sad that Ida didn't have time for herself. She had to do chores at her house along with teaching. If I were her I would hope my parents would at least give me less work. She didn't get paid either. That would be okay for a little while, but after a while it would seem pointless. Maybe this is selfish or makes me sound snotty, but I would never be that stressed out unless I was getting paid. I mean if I had no choice it'd be different, in this case she didn't have to though. "Think they'd hire you?" said Mrs. Bidson "Not for money." (Avi 25).

All in all this was a very good book. I would like to read books with more depth. In this book you could pretty much guess the ending from the beginning. None the less it was still good. I guess you never know though because some books are like that, but there's a twist at the very end. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a simple yet good book. Even though it was a little different from what I like, I'm glad I read it. No book have I ever read am I sorry I read. I think every book you read can only help you get ready for the next. Plus as long as your enjoying it who cares?

Rating:
Summary: Book Review
Review: The Secret School, a wonderful novel by Avi takes the reader on an adventure in the Colorodo mountains during 1925. Ida Bidsoon a 14 year girl, is the main character, and she goes to a one room school with only eight students.
One day Ida's teacher announces that her mother is very ill, and she has to move which is a big problem for Ida becasue school would close. If school closes, there would be no exam, no high school, no future. So the students decide, since Ida wants to become a teacher, to make her their teacher, but tell no one. The reader will enjoy this book because of all the details that make you apart of the story. In the end, will Ida's dream come true? Well, read the book and see!

Rating:
Summary: The Secret School
Review: This book will take you back to a different time in America. It was a time when children of all ages attended school together in one room. It was also a time when children did not have to attend school, and most did not go past the eighth grade.
In this story you will discover what happens when the teacher in the town gets called away for the second half of the year. Do the children call it quits until next year? Or can something be done? What if an eighth grade girl named Ida decides that she can be teacher? Will the school board accept her idea, or will it have to be kept a secret? Read to find out.
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. It was very entertaining, and I especially liked finding out how Ida thought she could make the transition from student and friend to the teacher and disciplinarian. Once you start reading this book, you won't want to put it down.