The Name of this Book is SECRET
11-year-old Cass is always prepared for adventure, but her active imagination is prone to spot danger where there is none. However when Cass decides to investigate the history of The Symphony of Smells she finally discovers a mystery to get her teeth into.
Teaming up with fellow misfit Max Ernest, Cass finds herself embroiled in a dangerous world of kidnapped children and the quest to find the secret of eternal youth.
Quirky characters, dastardly villains and delightful twists make this a page turning adventure story.
Publisher: Usborne
Extract
I’m sorry I couldn’t let you read Chapter One.
That was where you would have learned the names of the characters in this story. You also would have learned where it takes place. And when. You would have learned all the things you usually learn at the beginning of a book.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you any of those things.
Yes, this is a story about a secret. But it’s also a secret story.
I shouldn’t even be telling you that I shouldn’t be telling you the story. That’s how much of a secret it is.
Not only can’t I tell you the names of the people involved, I can’t even tell you what they’ve done or why.
I can’t tell you what kind of pets they have. Or how many annoying little brothers. Or how many bossy big sisters. Or whether they like their ice cream plain or with sprinkles.
I can’t tell you about their schools or their friends or their favourite television shows. Or if they ride skateboards. Or if they are champion chess players. Or if they compete in fencing competitions. Or even if they wear braces.
In short, I can’t tell you anything that would help you identify the people involved in this story if you were to meet them at your orthodontist’s office. (Teeth, as you may know from watching television, are very useful when detectives are identifying cadavers.)
This is for your own protection as well as mine. And for the protection of your friends. And even of your enemies. (You know, those ones you say you want to kill but in the end you’d rather keep alive.)
Still, you must find my silence very frustrating.
How can you follow a story if you don’t know whom it’s about? Somebody has got to be getting lost in the woods, or slaying dragons, or travelling in time, or whatever it is that happens in the story.
I’ll tell you what – I’ll make you a deal.
To help you follow my story, I’m going to break my own rule – already! – and I’m going to give my characters names and faces. But remember these aren’t their real names and faces. They’re more like code names or cover identities, like a spy or a criminal would have.
If you don’t like a name I choose, change it. If I write “Tim loved to pick his nose”, and you prefer the name Tom to Tim, then read the line as “Tom loved to pick his nose”. I won’t take offence. You can do that with all the names in this book if you like.
Or keep my names. It’s up to you.
Now, just as it’s hard to read a story without knowing whom the story’s about, it’s also hard to read a story without knowing where the story takes place. Even if you were reading about extraterrestrials from another dimension, you’d want to imagine something about their surroundings. Like that they lived in a murky green miasma. Or in some place
really hot.
Although the real location of this story will have to remain a mystery, to make it easier for all of us, why don’t we say the story takes place in a place you know very well?
We’ll call it Your Hometown.
When you read about the town the characters live in, just think of the town you live in. Is the town big or little? By the sea or by a lake? Or is your town all asphalt and shopping malls? You tell me.
When you read about the characters’ school, think of Your School. Is it in an old one-room schoolhouse or in a bunch of double wide mobile homes? You decide.
When they go home, imagine they live on Your Street, maybe even in a house right across from yours.
Who knows, maybe Your Street is where the story really takes place. I wouldn’t tell you if it was. But I couldn’t tell you for certain that it’s not.
In return for all the freedom I’m giving you, I ask only one favour: if I ever slip and reveal something that I shouldn’t – and I will! – please forget what I’ve said as soon as possible.
In fact, when you’re reading this book, it’s a good idea to forget everything you read as soon as you read it. If you’re one of those people who can read with their eyes closed, I urge you to do so. And, if you’re blind and reading this in braille, keep your hands off
the page!
Why do I write under such awful circumstances? Wouldn’t it be better to scrap this book altogether and do something else?
Oh, I could give you all kinds of reasons.
I could tell you that I write this book so you will learn from the mistakes of others. I could tell you that, as dangerous as writing this book is, it would be even more dangerous not to write it.
But the real reason is nothing so glorious. It’s very simple.
I can’t keep a secret. Never could.
I hope you have better luck.
About the author
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Pseudonymous Bosch
Who is PSEUDONYMOUS BOSCH? Pseudonymous Bosch is a pseudonym, or as he would prefer to call it (because he is very pretentious), a nom de plume. Unfortunately, for reasons he cannot disclose, but which should be obvious to anyone foolhardy enough to read his books, he cannot tell you his... Read more about Pseudonymous Bosch
Video & audio
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Pseudonymous Bosch tells you NOT to read this book, while 11-year-old Kia recommends it to those with a daring imagination!
Reviews
I liked this book it was quite good with some scary parts. The best part was when they were in a magician's house.
It was a good book and I sort of enjoyed it.
awesome everyone should defo read this!!!!! :)
it reallly funny
This is book is really good and I thought the characters were really funny I cant wait to read the next book.
It is a really great book and the characters are very interesting and that is what makes the book more mysterious than ever.
This book was quite good in places but it didnt really make sense of what was going on its good for readers who like a twist but this book is not for me but I did think it is a unique story in itself :)
I loved the book because it was really interesting and it helped me boost my confidence.
This book was good especially the start when it said do not read this book it was funny. The only bad thing was that the story was not very good. I would rate this book 7+ because they might take this book seriously and not read it. The blurb really makes me want to read on because it keeps saying like I shouldn't of told you this, this really encourages you to read more. It is a good idea but they should improve the story, yeah good book not much more to say
I thought this was brill I loved it
Thank you!
I like the book because it is a secret book and I like the bit where you made the names with X's.
good sad and exciting all at the same time
thanks for the book it was great, it was really fuuny . :0 :)
its a great book funny and good, I like how it's a secret, it's great
this book is about a 11 year-old Cass. Her motto is “be prepared.” She is so sure that a disaster is coming that she carries survival gear in her backpack every day. this book is really good and is hard to stop reading!
I Thought That This Book Was Really Interesting But Is Not Nessary For People That Can Get Upset Easily.
I haven't read this book yet but it looks really interesting someone I know says its really GOOD! xx
The Name Of This Book Is A Secret is a briliant book. It is about an 11 year old girl called Cass and her friend Max-Ernest. Together they go on an adventure but they get into a heap of trouble. Will they ever escape from the secret that is haunting them...?
It was a very interesting book confusing at the start but after a while very good book. Its hard to understand what's going on in some of the parts in the story. There's lots of twists. This book is Fantastic and I recommend it to people my age. Reading that book is not what I expected it to be but it was even better!!!! I recommend that many people read this book and find the twists........!
The book was fantastic! There was a lot of twists and the book was in a way not what I expected. I thought the book was going to be about a group of people who get in trouble but that wasn't the case. The story was actually criminal like which made it even interesting. There are follow ons to this book and I'd love to read them. If you haven't read this book then you certainly should!
I thought this book was really good, but a little confusing at bits. I liked the way the author wrote the book though, I also liked how everything was a secret. It was a very exciting story and ending was a bit unexpected, but it was a really good book. 4 stars!
I do not find books very fun to read, not because I can't read but because I don't think many books are for me. However when I read The Name of This Book Is Secret I couldn't put it down again in fact I finished it in about a week! By far out of all of the books I have read this book has been the best by far !
I have read up to chapter 18 and so far it is great.You have to be patient in this book because there is a lot of secrets in this book.The name of the book is secret is really mysterious and kind of adventurous.On the whole its one of the best books I've ever read.
This book is really good, and so is the rest of the series!
STRANGE!!!!!!!
this book is secret is a fun 5 star book I recommend it to people who like a good adventure book
I have enjoyed reading this book because it is full of excitement and adventure. It also makes you want to read on so that you can find out what the secret is. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.
I have read up to page 168 and so far I think its a great book and I would recommend this book to people that love adventure.
this book is good a fun book
Utterly un put downable. 5star. an epic book
You never want to put it down its soooo good 10/10
it looks really good
This book was about a boy called Max-Ernest and a girl called Cass (short for cassandra). The blurb made me want to read this book and I found it very good. For those of you who would like to read the blurb. Well you should be able to read it at the top so i won't go into that. I found the book unique and Humourous. You should try reading this book! Hope you do too! xoxo
I haven't read all of the book but I know it's going to be amazing :) At first you may find it uninteresting or boring but read on to the next chapter and you'll see that it's not at all. The reason you may find it uninteresting is because it goes on an on about the ''SECRET'' (which I haven't figured out yet because I haven't read the whole) and how he/she can't tell you the character's names, where the story is set, when it happened and why he/she can't tell you the ''SECRET''. But he/she tells you a little bit about what some of the characters look like, what their names are, how old they are and a little bit about their personality. Trust me once you've read the book you won't regret it, but if you don't read the book you will regret not reading it. (basically what I'm trying to say is READ IT) Thank you for reading my review.
I love reading this book because it has a lots of amazing stories and I can't wait to finish it!
I thought that the book was very good because it had a mystery and I like mystery books.
I love this book because it doesn't tell you anything
It is a interesting and mysterious book. full of adventure, puzzle and mystery. I've already read it but I'll definitely read it again!!!!!!!! If you like mystery stories this is defenitly the book for you- I couldn't put it down!!!
This was a brilliant book I recommend it for pupils of 10, 11 or 12 I think this book is a great read but what is the secret I enjoyed this book I really want to read the other 3
I have only read a few pages but it's brillant I can't wait to read more I'm actully pretty sad I'm not reading it now.It's so mysteroius and weird but great. It's confusing but I don't mind. I'm pretty fussy when it comes to book. I was going to read Franikie Foster Fizzy Pop but my friend recommed it to me and I love her for that. She's reading the same book as me and she and I love it. I'm going to read more.
I think The Name of this Book is SECRET is a great book to read because it is interesting and has a mystery behind the book and it is fantastic. I have read a few pages but I really want to read more.
I think the story so far is really mysterious and humorous I just can't wait to read the others
I love this book already it's amazing the first chapter is awesome. I enjoyed reading the first 27 pages in like 5 minutes and I can't wait until I can hurry up and read more!!! It is very intruiging. At first I chose You Choose but then I picked another book and this was the one that came to mind, I absolutely love!!
I think the book is really adventurous and exciting
this is the best book ever!
My book it coming on all right thank you. I have only read 15 pages and it's very good I will tell you if I enjoyed it at the end but thank you very much. Jake.
this book is interesting but some of the words are a bit hard to read I would rate it a seven
The book is informative and it feels like the author is connecting with you! I think it is truly amazing! I especially liked the WARNING at the start, that made me want to read even more!!!!!
I love this book. My friends and I always talk about it I would recommend it to anyone who like a laugh! I laughed my socks off hehe!
i like this book
I love this book
this book is at first i thought that it was going to be scary but it was interesting.
I think this book is soo good because it is all mysterious and secretive. Once you get into it it is really good.
I really liked this book because near the middle I was hooked into the book and was scared on what was going to happen next! I liked the fact there was adventure and thrill all in one, and it stayed that way throughout the book.
What I like best I liked the way it was very secretive because it got me interested and desperate to find out what happened. I couldn't put this book down. What I did not like It was very easy to read, so I finished it quite quickly. If I could change one thing, it would be to make it longer, because it ended too quickly!
This book is great and Pseudonymous obviously has an active imagionation the only problem I have is WHAT IS THE SECRET????
I soo want this book and from the review I've read I think I should!
good very creative
I haven't read this book yet but it sounds and looks really good...my friend has got the book and she says its BRILLIANT!
Very interesting and mysterious, an interesting layout...I recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery!
I thought that it was a very good and exciting plus I didn't actually want to read it but as soon as I started I couldn't stop!!!
It is quite hard to follow at the beginning with all the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs but once you get to the second chapter the story becomes easier to follow... by Adam...
I think this book is great, I got it as my free book and I've read it already. Its very interesting!
I haven't had the book for long but so far its amazing I think it's really clever how the author keeps accidently-on-purpose uncovering secrets the further on in the book you get. Also it's a really addictive book. If you have not got/read it I would recommend it for sure
An interesting book but has not got a clear storyline
Recently I read 'the name of this book is secret' and i thoroughly enjoyed it because it had very interesting characters and you could really relate to them (even though they were American!) and it is full of plot twists and turns and I think other people would really enjoy it and lots of surprises in the first page! .Eddie :)
Eleven year old Cass is a girl who carries a backpack with her everywhere she goes. She is always digging for adventure with her weird freind max-ernest who thinks he is an excellent comedian or some thing. Well I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Thanks for reading! Byeeeeee!
I have read the whole book and really liked it. I would recommend this book to the people that like adventure and mystery. Overall I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Oh man, I'm only just starting the book as I got it today but, wowee, this is a brill book, I was debating between 2 different books but I'm glad I got this. The author certainly knows how to keep ME hanging. Ca't wait to get further!!!!!
This is a fab book, great for mystery lovers and those with a quirky sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and loved the mysterious feel to the writing and plot!
This book is exciting, unpredictable, intelligent and funny! I could read it again and again...... If you like mystery books then this is for you!
This an absolutely amazing book for children over the age of 11+. With a thrilling storyline, I couldn't put it down!!
I think this book is an amazing book, it is really funny and serious at the same time I am really enjoying this book
This Book is sooo cool. I love it too bits. There is a website thenameofthebookissecret.co.uk where you can find out more. Sooo cool!
I thought this book was very clever. As well as being a good page turner it also had a good mystery. It was very factual as on some hard words or confusing ones it told you what it meant at the bottom of the page. It also showed you how to do stuff like magic tricks at the back of the book. After all I thought this was a very good book and I would recommend it to other people.
The name This Book Is secret is adventurous and aimed for 10 years and above. If I were you I would buy the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is the best book I have read because what happens inside is funny and crazy and all about secrets :)
I think this book is a mystery book and is funny.
This book is amazing it is full of adventure and mystery I would recommend this to ages 10-15 years old. It is best for those that enjoy sinking their teeth into a great book . This book has many things for you to discover beside the amazing content such as the first few pages and the names of the chapters . This book is great so choose it you will not regret it but I warn you when you start reading you can't put it down.
This book is amazing to me because its all about a magican. It plays tricks on your mind like a magican would do so its really clever, i'm buying the rest of seeries books!
I love this book I'm only on the 2nd chapter and I know I won't get bored or fed up! I recomend this book to everyone its sooooo interesting and I'm going to re-read it over and over and over again! Thanks for releasing such an amazing book! xxxxxxxxxx
I think this book is a really great book because it goes by the title because even when you read it it doesn't tell you any of the secrets and you've got to picture it all taking place in your town and village and it doesn't tell you the names of the characters, not even the main character it just tells you code names. But I can't tell you more because it's secret!
this book was great, it is not for people who don't like long books. It might even be better than Harry Potter. The only way to tell is if I can get my hands on another one of these books by the same author. So the sum of this book is it's fantastic
At the start it is scary because in chapter 1 the are just xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx all the way through the chapter and then there is a chapter 1/2 so I think thats quite scary and when you get into the book every now and then you think what's going to happen next..............
I enjoyed this magnificent book. I enjoyed it because of the great suspence it holds you in, it is a great way to write a book having the author communicate with the reader like that. Once you start reading the book it doesn't stop there, it's easy to imagine and your imagination runs loose to all sorts of places wich are relevant to the story. To get into further detail, this book is a book of mystery, secrets and suspence. It is about two children, Max-ernest and Cass( short for Cassandra ) they both start a journey, or a quest if you like. I recomend this book for a teenager, or my age catergory. Thank you.
This book is brilliant I think everybody will like it from any age, it is that amazing! It is a really interesting and adventurous. Be prepared to read for a while because it is a big book!
This book is a mysterious book. Even the title is unknown. And most of the book is like that. But it is that mystery that kept me reading. The name of this book is secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (which is a pseudonym which adds even more mystery). The book is gripping and interesting but with the author keep going off and knowing very little about the characters sometimes makes in very hard to follow. But despite that I give the book 4 stars out of 5.
I think this book is great, it starts off to be a little confusing but you can get into it easily. This is such a great book!!!. Please go and buy this book straight away after reading this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I love this book! I love the way he wrote. It was as if he was talking to you! And I love how it said not to read this book and then he says he cannot let you read the first chapter. I loved the footnotes! It was a mix of both humour and mystery. I have not read the second book but I cannot wait! READ THIS BOOK!!!!
This is one of the best books that i've ever read! It's full of adventure and secrets and I love the way that the author hide everything in a way that you still understand everything fully.I rate it 10 out of 10 ,5 stars and 100 %
I think it was quite good but very confusing and hard to follow
I have just started reading this book and its amazing it started off slow but then it got better I'm hooked I'm reading pages every night, morning and even in literacy .
Very good, but I did not understand the bit with lots of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxS
Well have not read it, it's an adventurous book but its not my kind of book, it's a good first page but I am not really interested you will probably like it if you like adventure............................. I would say it a 10+
The beginning of it is SO weird but it's good.When you read a lot you can really get into it.
I don't think the book is that good because its ALL SECRET apparently IT HARDLY TELLS YOU ANYTHING !!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't get it if I was you.
Love it.... it got me totally hooked- if you like adventure stories that make you want to keep reading then this is for you, have fun
very interesting and makes you want to continue reading.
I have only read 100 pages so far, and I thought the story is good because it has lots of interesting ideas on it. It has lots of pages full of suspense round every corner and I recommend this book to any person who is up for lots of reading . Also, I would recomended it to any ages. GET READING THIS BOOK, ITS GOOD!!!!
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