Elise and Franklin have always been best friends. Elise has always lived in the big house with her loving Uncle and Aunt, because Elise's parents died when she was too young to remember them. There's always been a barn behind the house with eight locked doors on the second floor. When Elise and Franklin start middle school, things feel all wrong. Bullying. Not fitting in. Franklin suddenly seems babyish. Then, soon after her 12th birthday, Elise receives a mysterious key left for her by her father. A key that unlocks one of the eight doors upstairs in the bar . . . SUNSHINE STATE AWARD FINALIST!
Download and start listening now!
"Great book that handles the angst of middle school realistically: the bully you can't rat out, the odd-ball friend that might be destroying any chance you might have of being cool, the struggle to keep up with several different classes. As an orphan, Elise's struggle to establish an identity and feel acceptance is even more complicated. This a touching and emotional read that made me tear up a few times as a mother. Readers will appreciate the warmth and tenderness with which the story is told. Best for 6th graders and upper elementary."
— Michelle (5 out of 5 stars)
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, June 6, 2011:
LaFleur (Love, Aubrey) writes with uncommon sensitivity to the fraught period between childhood and the teenage years, when friendships balance on a razor's edge and nothing feels certain. The heart of the story lies in the layered relationships and characters that give the novel its powerful sense of realism."
" I really liked this book. U can learn a lot from it. Mistakes and Friendship. "
— Lila, 2/13/2014" I found this book a very relatible book even though it had such a different plot to it. It was a book idea that I never would have come up with myself, and it was so gripping and so exciting to read that it made me read it right until the very end. It stayed into my head long after I'd read it. Suzanne LaFleur has a writing style, that even though I had only read one other book by her, I know very well and it is very distinctive to me. She writes with so much passion and emotion in her writing. I recommend this book to any young reader. "
— Grace, 2/7/2014" It was a good read about discovering who you want to be as your growing up. "
— Crystal, 2/4/2014" dad and mom are gone. one day i went out into the barn that i grew up in. this time i find a cute little key with my name on it. could this open up one of the eight locked doors upstaires. "
— Morgan, 2/3/2014" i love this book so much!!!! it has so much detail, and it explains everything so well! i would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books. "
— Jessica, 1/19/2014" I LOVED IT, I WILL READ IT AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Caitlin, 1/18/2014" it was so cute the cover lured me in and i couldn't stop :D "
— Kim, 1/18/2014" Didn't love the beginning, but it got a lot better, and it is definitely a great book for kids entering middle school. Sometimes seemed to have almost too many issues involved, but that means it has something for everyone, and many opportunities for dialog. "
— Elizabeth, 1/5/2014" This book is written for children, slightly slow start. Enjoyable, not comperable to Love Aubrey, which in my opinion, is also written on a level for adults. "
— Lee, 12/21/2013" Like Hidden, Eight Keys was for younger readers, such as elementary schoolers, and was written very poorly, though the plot was good. I think that the book could have been longer and better written. "
— Claire, 12/14/2013" Not the best of books, although I think it gives an accurate portrayal of how some kids feel in their transitional middle school years. "
— Eryn, 12/6/2013" I really expected a lot from this book, but it was a huge letdown I was waiting for the big 'wow' but it never came. I liked parts of the book, like when the doors were open, but other then that, I found it quite boring, and a big letdown. "
— Madalyn, 11/24/2013" Such a moving story....had a few tears! Elise and Franklin have been friends forever, but their friendship is tested when they start Middle School. The secret helps Elise find out about self and discover who she really is! "
— Mrs, 10/17/2013" Heartwarming realistic fiction about that crummy middle school time, but also family stuff. Reminded me a bit of Katherine Hanigan's writing, with flawed characters you genuinely like, relate-able situations, and a touch of mystery. "
— Kris, 8/29/2013" My overall opinion is i like this book i thinks its for people that have love to explore and new things and that are creative.THE girl made a a empty room out of something.i think you should read this vook its a great experenicence. "
— Msyanna, 8/20/2013" Brilliant and creative story that reflects transitional aspects of becoming middle schoolers. Warm and sweet yet explorative!! So good! "
— Yoo, 3/10/2013" LOVED this book. A great story in so many ways. I think Suzanne LaFleuris a very talented author. "
— Kristin, 9/5/2012" Great job with character development in this book. It was kind of like P.S. I Love You, but for kids. "
— Colby, 6/10/2012" I really liked the book! It gave both the reader and the protagonist lessons on life. A very enjoyable read. :) "
— Maysoon, 5/7/2012" Love the wholesome family middle grade fiction. "
— Louisa, 12/26/2011" I read this book in one night. Pretty good but less about mystery than about friends and bullying. "
— Hayley, 12/24/2011" A sweet tween novel. La Fleur writes with a quiet sensitivity about a turbulent time -- starting middle school. Elise actually seems a bit younger than someone who is entering 6th grade, but that's ok -- this book is really best suited to kids a bit younger than middle school age. "
— Lynn, 12/3/2011" Brilliant and creative story that reflects transitional aspects of becoming middle schoolers. Warm and sweet yet explorative!! So good! "
— Yoo, 10/27/2011" Wonderful little (audio) book that covers the themes of friendship, grief, family, love, school, courage, bullying and coming of age in a very sweet and moving story. This worked very well as an audio book and would be equally good as a read aloud. "
— Amanda, 10/25/2011" read this because a girl came into the library asking for "ANY more books by the Eight Keys author" Now I understand why she was so eager. Very well done. "
— Mrs., 10/16/2011" ok ok this was the best book ever i read it all day yesterday it was sooo good it is a must read for softies :D "
— Heather, 10/9/2011" Great job with character development in this book. It was kind of like P.S. I Love You, but for kids. "
— Colby, 10/2/2011" Very nice. Good story about changing friendships. <br/> <br/>I teared up just a little at the end while reading at the doctor's office. That was fun to explain to the nurse. :) "
— Sandy, 9/21/2011" An orphaned girl being raised by her aunt and uncle receives keys to eight rooms as she turns twelve. They unlock keys about her past ... and help her to feel more confident about her future. "
— JennLynn, 9/12/2011" A sweet tween novel. La Fleur writes with a quiet sensitivity about a turbulent time -- starting middle school. Elise actually seems a bit younger than someone who is entering 6th grade, but that's ok -- this book is really best suited to kids a bit younger than middle school age. "
— Lynn, 9/10/2011" beautifully written story... i enjoyed it almost as much as La Fleur's first book. "
— Jess, 8/27/2011Suzanne LaFleur grew up in the suburbs of Boston. She received her BA in English and European history from Washington and Lee and her MFA in writing for children from The New School. She now splits her time between Natick, Massachusetts and New York City.
Georgette Perna is a full-time voice-over professional in Los Angeles, California. She is currently the voice of Motilda the Mouse on the children’s DVD series Dottie’s Magic Pockets, the voice of Dagny on Magellan’s Magic Map, and the commercial voice for Jellybeanies toys, now airing on Discovery Kids, Toon Disney, Cartoon Network, Nicktoons, and PBS Kids.