The Secret School

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Avi. THE SECRET SCHOOL. New York City: Harcourt Paperbacks, 2003.

PLOT SUMMARY
THE SECRET SCHOOL is the story of a young girl named Ida who wants nothing more than to go to high school and become a teacher. When her own teacher must leave Ida’s dreams seem to go with her. Ida and her classmates come up with a way to continue on with school with Ida being the teacher. This book expresses both the views of old when it was thought that girls did not need an education as well as newer ideas that girls could do as they wished. In the end, Ida was successful in not only teaching herself but teaching her classmates and her community about perseverance.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE SECRET SCHOOL is a story about a young girl with dreams for the future and strong will power. The story is told from her point of view. The author also allows the reader to really hear how the young girl would have spoken at that time. The girl uses words and dialect that are appropriate for her age and the time period. It is interesting to see the difference in the way the young girl speaks when she is just being herself and when she is being the teacher.

The time period of the story is quite important in understanding the situation the girl is in. At that time it was not a requirement or even a good thing for children to go to school. The fact that Ida wanted to finish so badly was strange to those around her.

The theme of the story is that no matter what your dreams are and who or what is in your way you should always go for them. Ida went for her dream and in the end succeeded.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Weaving together a fast-moving plot, solid characterizations, sharply tuned dialogue and a wealth of detail, Avi offers another satisfying historical novel… Avi wittily up-ends the usual roles assigned adults and children. A crowd-pleaser.-PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

This carefully plotted, enjoyable, old-fashioned tale of children taking control of a bad situation is a welcome addition to the literature of empowerment.-SLJ

CONNECTIONS
History-This book is a connection into the early 1900’s. Students should explain how school was different then than it is now.

Students should look up one poem used in the book and explain why it was significant then and why it can still be applicable today.