Review: THE ART OF SECRETS by James Klise

I’ve never read a book quite like THE ART OF SECRETS by James Klise.  Told in multiple perspectives, almost entirely in the form of discourse and conversation (with the occasional journal entry from protagonist, Saba Kahn), THE ART OF SECRETS is part mystery, part drama, and so very fun to read.

Algonquin Young Readers, April 2014.

In the wake of a fire that destroyed her family’s home and all of their belongings, Saba Kahn has gone from almost invisible at her Chicago prep school (where she is a scholarship student) to borderline notorious, with a basketball star as a sort-of boyfriend and school do-gooders organizing a charity auction to help her family.

She’s got a lot to deal with, though.  Saba’s family is getting too much attention at school, and from the police.  Authorities can’t seem to decide if her family are victims or culprits, which means the rumors are flying at school.  And then there’s the whole art thing — an item in the auction, which new girl cum auction organizer and her brother found in an alley, has turned out to be some seriously valuable paintings by a famed but reclusive Chicago outsider artist.  When the art goes missing, Saba has another mystery plaguing her and her family.  And more rumors to try and ignore.

With points of view ranging from Saba’s father, to Saba’s boyfriend, to the school principal, to her classmates running the auction, THE ART OF SECRETS is a unique mystery, as well-designed as it is well-written.  Klise‘s characters are wry and witty, and even with so many narrators, the voices are compelling and distinct.  I’m still excited about the book.  I can’t stop being excited about it.  And while it’s a rare book that I think is a contender for the Printz, the National Book Award, and the Edgar, I fully expect to see these and other accolades for James Klise in the near future.