FICTION FRIDAY: "EIGHT KEYS" by Suzanne LaFleur

 

With a variety of covers,  this book was reviewed in our Scholastic Book Fair.  I showed a movie clip of it to the students and it is intriguing for sure.  The target audience is 9-13 year old girls, but boys could read it as well.  The protagonist, Elise, finds clues about herself and her family that she didn't understand before, as she is able to unlock all 8 doors and see each gift her father left for her.  She is struggling in school, her locker partner treating her poorly and she just doesn't fit in.  It is a bit emotional, funny, mysterious and a part self-discovery.  Here are some other helpful reviews from other readers.  (The kids at my school are all dying to get their turn to read it since they saw the trailer from Scholastic.  I think I need to get a few more copies this weekend.)

 

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Eight Keys to Discovery June 3, 2012

By Vanessa Senyk

Format:Hardcover

 

I am a homeschooling mom and this was one of the books I selected for my 10 and 11 year old daughters. This book isn't intended to be a mystery, but a journey into self discovery. Each key helps Elise learn something about herself or her family. As I was reading and writing comprehension questions I would frequently find myself laughing or crying. I think when my daughters read this and we discuss each of the rooms she opens they will also learn something about themselves.

 

 

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this for an eleven year old girl October 26, 2011

By Gunner VINE™ VOICE

Precociously delightful
Category: Light adventure
Age Range: 10 - 11 years (the year before middle school)
Grade (Public school): the year before middle school or junior high school)
Preferred Gender: Boys and Girls (maybe slightly tilted to girls)

Elise lives with her Aunt Bessie and Uncle Hugh. Her Mother and Father are dead.
Elise's mother died at child birth or shortly thereafter. Franklin (Frank) is Elise's next door neighbor, almost the only neighbor (they live out in the country) and her best friend. Don't worry about this being too maudlin for a child to handle. I had to go back and reread the reason for Elise's Dad dying. All it says is the doctor told him he had three years to live. He wrote out a number of letters which he gave to Uncle Hugh. I was concerned that all this death might have been somewhat difficult to swallow. It turns out to be just the opposite. Elise has such a nice group of parent substitutes; your child might regret not having the same.
Elise is s clearly the protagonist. Frank is a strong sidekick. Amanda, Elise's locker-mate, is the antagonist.
Elise's Dad, who is dead, made out birthday letters to Elise, one for each of her birthdays. Elise's uncle gives her one at the end of the day on her birthdays.
Elise discovers eight locked doors on the second floor of the barn. Slowly she acquires the keys to each door.
Her father had placed special stuff in each room. You'll have to read the book to find out what Elise found.

I highly recommend this for an eleven year old girl.

BOOKS FOR GIRLS (and guys) FICTION FRIDAY and SATURDAY SERIES: The Nancy Drew and Hardy boy Series

The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories was the long-running "main" Nancy Drew series, published between 1930 and 2003. Initially, titles were published by Grosset & Dunlap, but with #57 (1979) publication switched to Simon & Schuster. Some people consider these first 56 to be the original series and consider the Simon & Schuster series to be an entirely different series. The first 56 are considered to be the "classic" Nancy Drew books. In 2003, the series was discontinued, and a new, more contemporary series (Nancy Drew Girl Detective) was created in its place. I only put the first 100 books here!

I remember as a little girl absolutely loving these books.  I need to pick one up and read it now to see what I loved about them.  I think I may go do that right now!!!!

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	The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, #1)  by Carolyn Keene   3.91 avg rating — 17,505 ratings — published 1930 — 23 editions book 1	My rating:
	The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew, #2)  by Carolyn Keene   3.88 avg rating — 11,574 ratings — published 1930 — 24 editions book 2	My rating:
	The Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew, #3)  by Carolyn Keene   3.84 avg rating — 6,778 ratings — published 1930 — 25 editions book 3	My rating:
	The Mystery at Lilac Inn (Nancy Drew, #4)  by Carolyn Keene   3.89 avg rating — 6,782 ratings — published 1930 — 18 editions book 4	My rating:
	The Secret of Shadow Ranch (Nancy Drew, #5)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 6,575 ratings — published 1931 — 19 editions book 5	My rating:
	The Secret of Red Gate Farm (Nancy Drew, #6)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 4,572 ratings — published 1931 — 16 editions book 6	My rating:
	The Clue in the Diary (Nancy Drew, #7)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 4,934 ratings — published 1932 — 16 editions book 7	My rating:
	Nancy's Mysterious Letter (Nancy Drew, #8)  by Carolyn Keene   3.82 avg rating — 4,108 ratings — published 1932 — 13 editions book 8	My rating:
	The Sign of the Twisted Candles (Nancy Drew, #9)  by Carolyn Keene   3.90 avg rating — 5,218 ratings — published 1933 — 17 editions book 9	My rating:
	Password to Larkspur Lane (Nancy Drew, #10)  by Carolyn Keene   3.89 avg rating — 4,633 ratings — published 1933 — 17 editions book 10	My rating:
	The Clue of the Broken Locket (Nancy Drew, #11)  by Carolyn Keene   3.89 avg rating — 5,138 ratings — published 1934 — 14 editions book 11	My rating:
	The Message in the Hollow Oak (Nancy Drew, #12)  by Carolyn Keene   3.82 avg rating — 4,275 ratings — published 1935 — 11 editions book 12	My rating:
	The Mystery of the Ivory Charm (Nancy Drew, #13)  by Carolyn Keene   3.84 avg rating — 3,266 ratings — published 1936 — 7 editions book 13	My rating:
	The Whispering Statue (Nancy Drew, #14)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 3,924 ratings — published 1986 — 12 editions book 14	My rating:
	The Haunted Bridge (Nancy Drew, #15)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 3,589 ratings — published 1937 — 7 editions book 15	My rating:
	The Clue of the Tapping Heels (Nancy Drew, #16)  by Carolyn Keene   3.83 avg rating — 2,871 ratings — published 1939 — 10 editions book 16	My rating:
	The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk (Nancy Drew, #17)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,265 ratings — published 1940 — 8 editions book 17	My rating:
	The Mystery at the Moss-Covered Mansion (Nancy Drew, #18)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,691 ratings — published 1941 — 11 editions book 18	My rating:
	The Quest of the Missing Map (Nancy Drew, #19)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 1,885 ratings — published 1942 — 11 editions book 19	My rating:
	The Clue in the Jewel Box (Nancy Drew, #20)  by Carolyn Keene   3.84 avg rating — 2,159 ratings — published 1943 — 8 editions book 20	My rating:
	The Secret in the Old Attic (Nancy Drew, #21)  by Carolyn Keene   3.89 avg rating — 4,752 ratings — published 1944 — 9 editions book 21	My rating:
	The Clue in the Crumbling Wall (Nancy Drew, #22)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 2,649 ratings — published 1945 — 13 editions book 22	My rating:
	Mystery of the Tolling Bell (Nancy Drew, #23)  by Carolyn Keene   3.83 avg rating — 2,378 ratings — published 1946 — 7 editions book 23	My rating:
	The Clue in the Old Album (Nancy Drew, #24)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 2,483 ratings — published 1947 — 10 editions book 24	My rating:
	The Ghost of Blackwood Hall (Nancy Drew, #25)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,555 ratings — published 1948 — 10 editions book 25	My rating:
	The Clue of the Leaning Chimney (Nancy Drew, #26)  by Carolyn Keene   3.88 avg rating — 2,887 ratings — published 1949 — 9 editions book 26	My rating:
	The Secret of the Wooden Lady (Nancy Drew, #27)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,343 ratings — published 1950 — 8 editions book 27	My rating:
	The Clue of the Black Keys (Nancy Drew, #28)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 2,056 ratings — published 1951 — 9 editions book 28	My rating:
	The Mystery at the Ski Jump (Nancy Drew, #29)  by Carolyn Keene   3.82 avg rating — 2,110 ratings — published 1952 — 7 editions book 29	My rating:
	The Clue of the Velvet Mask (Nancy Drew, #30)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,405 ratings — published 1953 — 10 editions book 30	My rating:
	The Ringmaster's Secret (Nancy Drew, #31)  by Carolyn Keene   3.84 avg rating — 2,198 ratings — published 1953 — 9 editions book 31	My rating:
	The Scarlet Slipper Mystery (Nancy Drew, #32)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,822 ratings — published 1954 — 7 editions book 32	My rating:
	The Witch Tree Symbol (Nancy Drew, #33)  by Carolyn Keene   3.84 avg rating — 2,722 ratings — published 1956 — 9 editions book 33	My rating:
	The Hidden Window Mystery (Nancy Drew, #34)  by Carolyn Keene   3.90 avg rating — 2,402 ratings — published 1957 — 10 editions book 34	My rating:
	The Haunted Showboat (Nancy Drew, #35)  by Carolyn Keene   3.84 avg rating — 2,438 ratings — published 1957 — 8 editions book 35	My rating:
	The Secret of the Golden Pavilion (Nancy Drew, #36)  by Carolyn Keene   3.88 avg rating — 1,593 ratings — published 1959 — 6 editions book 36	My rating:
	The Clue in the Old Stagecoach (Nancy Drew, #37)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,582 ratings — published 1959 — 10 editions book 37	My rating:
	The Mystery of the Fire Dragon (Nancy Drew, #38)  by Carolyn Keene   3.90 avg rating — 1,839 ratings — published 1961 — 7 editions book 38	My rating:
	The Clue of the Dancing Puppet (Nancy Drew, #39)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 2,189 ratings — published 1962 — 9 editions book 39	My rating:
	The Moonstone Castle Mystery (Nancy Drew, #40)  by Carolyn Keene   3.90 avg rating — 1,937 ratings — published 1962 — 8 editions book 40	My rating:
	The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes (Nancy Drew, #41)  by Carolyn Keene   3.81 avg rating — 1,905 ratings — published 1964 — 11 editions book 41	My rating:
	The Phantom of Pine Hill (Nancy Drew, #42)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 1,614 ratings — published 1964 — 7 editions book 42	My rating:
	The Mystery of the 99 Steps (Nancy Drew, #43)  by Carolyn Keene   3.91 avg rating — 3,359 ratings — published 1965 — 6 editions book 43	My rating:
	The Clue in the Crossword Cipher (Nancy Drew, #44)  by Carolyn Keene   3.88 avg rating — 1,868 ratings — published 1967 — 10 editions book 44	My rating:
	The Spider Sapphire Mystery (Nancy Drew, #45)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 2,473 ratings — published 1967 — 9 editions book 45	My rating:
	The Invisible Intruder (Nancy Drew, #46)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 1,800 ratings — published 1969 — 7 editions book 46	My rating:
	The Mysterious Mannequin (Nancy Drew, #47)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 2,145 ratings — published 1970 — 5 editions book 47	My rating:
	The Crooked Banister (Nancy Drew, #48)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 1,958 ratings — published 1971 — 8 editions book 48	My rating:
	The Secret of Mirror Bay (Nancy Drew, #49)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 1,308 ratings — 10 editions book 49	My rating:
	The Double Jinx Mystery (Nancy Drew, #50)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 1,542 ratings — published 1973 — 8 editions book 50	My rating:
	Mystery of the Glowing Eye (Nancy Drew, #51)  by Carolyn Keene   3.84 avg rating — 1,576 ratings — published 1974 — 9 editions book 51	My rating:
	The Secret of the Forgotten City (Nancy Drew, #52)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 1,515 ratings — published 1975 — 8 editions book 52	My rating:
	The Sky Phantom (Nancy Drew, #53)  by Carolyn Keene   3.81 avg rating — 1,304 ratings — published 1975 — 6 editions book 53	My rating:
	The Strange Message in the Parchment (Nancy Drew, #54)  by Carolyn Keene   3.86 avg rating — 1,504 ratings — published 1974 — 9 editions book 54	My rating:
	Mystery of Crocodile Island (Nancy Drew, #55)  by Carolyn Keene   3.81 avg rating — 1,654 ratings — published 1978 — 8 editions book 55	My rating:
	The Thirteenth Pearl (Nancy Drew, #56)  by Carolyn Keene   3.88 avg rating — 1,770 ratings — published 1978 — 6 editions book 56	My rating:
	The Triple Hoax (Nancy Drew, #57)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 965 ratings — published 1979 — 17 editions book 57	My rating:
	The Flying Saucer Mystery (Nancy Drew, #58)  by Carolyn Keene   3.73 avg rating — 826 ratings — published 1983 — 16 editions book 58	My rating:
	The Secret in the Old Lace (Nancy Drew, #59)  by Carolyn Keene   3.88 avg rating — 1,062 ratings — published 1980 — 13 editions book 59	My rating:
	The Greek Symbol Mystery (Nancy Drew, #60)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 659 ratings — published 1981 — 14 editions book 60	My rating:
	The Swami's Ring (Nancy Drew, #61)  by Carolyn Keene   3.92 avg rating — 501 ratings — published 1981 — 10 editions book 61	My rating:
	The Kachina Doll Mystery (Nancy Drew, #62)  by Carolyn Keene   3.87 avg rating — 654 ratings — published 1981 — 17 editions book 62	My rating:
	The Twin Dilemma (Nancy Drew, #63)  by Carolyn Keene   3.85 avg rating — 683 ratings — published 1981 — 9 editions book 63	My rating:
	Captive Witness (Nancy Drew, #64)  by Carolyn Keene   3.98 avg rating — 600 ratings — published 1981 — 10 editions book 64	My rating:
	Mystery of the Winged Lion (Nancy Drew, #65)  by Carolyn Keene   3.80 avg rating — 132 ratings — published 1982 — 9 editions book 65	My rating:
	Race Against Time (Nancy Drew, #66)  by Carolyn Keene   3.83 avg rating — 95 ratings — published 2000 — 10 editions book 66	My rating: