In 1925 Colorado, 14-year-old Ida Bidson dreams of becoming a teacher, but she knows it won't be easy. When the school board closes the town's one-room school, threatening to keep Ida from finishing eighth grade and moving on to high school, it looks like her dream will never come true. Then she and her classmates come up with a plan for a secret school-with Ida as their teacher!
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"Ida is a 14-year old girl who wants to be a teacher. To do that, she must pass high school. Her dreams ended when the school shut down, because the teacher had to take care of her sick relative. The school shut down, and Ida makes a secret school. SHE herself teaches the school, and her secret had to be kept a secret, but someone finds out... and the valley decides if the school should shut down or not!"
— Ms. (4 out of 5 stars)
" I really loved this I read it in about fourth grade it took about a day made me feel like I was there with Ida "
— Tiffany, 2/14/2014" this is a good book "
— Elissa, 1/29/2014" It was good in the beginning I didn't like it but it got better!! The book is about a girl who wants to be a teacher when she grows up and she can't do that if she doesn't go to high school. When there teacher has to leave the school board shuts down the school but you will have to read the book to find out the rest!!! "
— 10-11, 1/26/2014" i think The Secret School was a great book because the author had great description during the story. i really think you should read The Secret School!!!!!!!!!! "
— Amelia, 1/25/2014" I liked this book alot. I just think was a little to easy. Many questions are unanswered. I am very happy for Ida. "
— Grace, 1/23/2014" I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Faith, 1/22/2014" Liked it- especially how it showed how important school was to the kids involved. I would like to read this to my class to discuss the different attitudes about school. "
— Sarah, 1/16/2014" Pretty good little read. Main character was a little whiny and some of the descriptions seemed a little clunky - like the research for the era was done from a dry old history book. But enjoyable and different. "
— Johnny, 1/16/2014" Started out a bit slow but I liked the way it ended. "
— Audra, 1/16/2014" A nice Little House type story. Would make a pleasant series for young girls. "
— Kaylynn, 1/11/2014" I don't remember plenty about this book. It really is a great read for pre-teens, I guess that would be the reading level..... Anyway, I recommend it to anyone. "
— Loni, 1/1/2014Avi is the author of more than fifty books for children and young adults, including the 2003 Newbery Medal winner Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Along with his two Newbery Honors, he has won many other awards for his fiction. He lives with his family in Denver.
Johanna Parker is an Audie and Earphone Award–winning actress living and working in San Francisco. Since narrating her first audiobook in 2002, she has received praise for her work in all genres, including her portrayal of Sookie Stackhouse in Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire books. She received her BFA in acting from Boston University and studied Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She has performed on stages in London, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York and has numerous film and television credits. As a voice-over actress, she has voiced commercials, video games, documentaries, and websites.