The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods

by Ann Cameron

Amanda Woods is discovering that there are some things in life you just can't change, like who your parents are or how your older sister treats you, but she is determined to change what she can. To begin with, she's not going to be just plain Amanda Woods (the girl her mother seems to think is just average ). She's going to be Amanda K . Woods-someone who is proud and strong and sure of herself, someone who can have a French pen pal and a best friend of her own choosing, someone who finds four-leaf clovers and can get perfect scores on her math homework. There is more to Amanda than anyone else can see, things about her that Amanda herself doesn't even know yet, but she's finding out. In The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods , her first novel for older children, Ann Cameron presents a heroine who is philosophical and honest as only a twelve-year-old can be.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Fiction, Coming Of Age, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 1998

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Ann Cameron grew up in Wisconsin. Today, she and her husband live in Guatemala. From her house she can see a waterfall and three volcanoes. Ann Cameron has been a teacher and an editor as well as a writer.

She says that writing is hardest for her at the beginning of a book. To get started, she follows this important rule for writing: "Apply seat of pants to bottom of chair."

Reviews

[Lily C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at my mother's old house in Jamaica one summer when I found this in some of the old boxes that were lying around. Besides an old issue of Cosmopolitan and a huge ass book on American history, this was the only thing I read over the two months I was there (there was no television set or radio to use because of the electricity on the fritz). This was also the book that made me want to become a writer, so this holds a very special place in my heart.
I'm going to admit, I haven't seen this book in years and I've forgotten most of what happened, but I do know that I felt like I could really relate to the main character. It had some very good moments throughout, so it definitely kept my attention that summer.

[Weathervane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice exploration of the various subtleties embedded within relationships. No interpersonal tie is ever simple -- there are always tensions beneath, and above, the surface.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about a young girls' growing strength and confidence in herself; a bit serious, a bit fun. The father also grows in his parenting responsibilities.

[Emily Xaviere]

As an adult reader, I super connected to Amanda. Pretty sure I would have been dreadfully bored as a kid though. Definitely Autistic/ADHD headcannon.

Not totally sure what I think. I liked a lot of Amanda's thoughts processing her differences. But the actual narrative is Amanda figuring out how to better mask and fit in. Almost feels the prelude to the real story I want to read, where Amanda has connected to her father and he will have a more active role in raising her to conform less. But how that experiment turns out...is not in the book.

[Javiera · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quick story summary
In the beginning Amanda K. Woods best friend Lyle moved to they cut their palms and said that how they will have a part of each other.Amanda thought that her life was going to be destroyed.She also feels that her family doesn't love her.

B.
Well first of all I thought that the setting was confusing.I didn't like how Amanda did a ritual to have a part of her friend Lyle.I also thought that the story was boring because i felt that the story was never going to end.I would get lost in the story.I also would get confused on who was talking and who were the main characters.And last i didn't like how she thought her family didn't love her. I wouldn't recommend this book to people that like adventure books or who like books with comedy.

[Grace Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this story because of how Amanda does not think that she is suprerior to her sister and that she deserved a better sister. Amanda had a pen pal which was cool because when I was youngr I had a pen pal.

[Alaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

number one book in the world I can't live without

[Summer Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Great coming-of-age story.

[Athera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading it

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes a long time to realize, and then only from one concrete clue, that this takes place in the 1954-55 school year. In many ways it felt like my youth in WI in the 70s though. I'm not convinced of the accuracy of all the historical detail.

But it's a nice story, with interesting ideas, and engaging. It doesn't read as bleak or boring as too much children's historical fiction does. And the r'ship between Amanda and her father is priceless. Mother is a bit stereotyped, but also a real person, too. So are the sister, the best friend, and the friend's mother.

The teacher has a great idea... instead of How I Spent my Summer Vacation, she has the fifth-graders write What I Like to do Best, and How I do it. As Amanda notes, it's a great way to get to know her classmates better.

I like that sister Margaret wants to be a doctor "Because I will be good at it! And besides, people are less phony when they are sick."

I don't rate it higher just for my own personal enjoyment. Young me agrees, it's a bit too simplistic and straightforward, not special.

[allexuuhh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this on my shelf from when I was younger and decided to read it lol. It was actually really cute and I can see why I kept it for so long! I love the way the author writes and shows Amanda growing and finding herself throughout the book. So many good lines, I can’t even choose a favorite to quote here. I wish it was longer!

[Jody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't really say I completely disliked this book, but I can't really say I liked it either. Amanda's mother thinks she's average and favors her older sister. Amanda doesn't have many friends at school. I enjoyed Amanda's attempts to be a new person, but found their family dysfunction depressing.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally read this book as a child and loved it. I related to the character of Amanda who felt like her best was never enough and who felt like life was too complicated with all of it’s unspoken rules and regulations. As an adult, I still loved it. Amanda is growing up and is beginning to learn how to navigate the world. Whether thats her relationship with her parents, or sister, or friends.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

"But suppose somebody asks you out and you would rather stay home?"
"You should not 'rather stay home.' Only a drip would rather stay home."

(As a grown-up reading this book, this is SO ME - and most of my friends. HILARIOUS.)

[Nayli Azrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just remember thinking I wish it had more to do with the horse. She does have a horse, but if I remember correctly, it doesn't really take centre stage. I know the title clearly says about Amanda but the cover made me think the horse had a bigger part in the story.

[Melissa McGuire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book that will teach your child a great lesson. They will learn not to judge the others by the social class they are in and that it's important to believe in yourself

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book. It had a few weird chapters. I don't think it was my favorite book.😐

[Claire (Pandalilys Version)]

i read this when i was younger and the only thing i can remember is her dad owned a hotel and i think there mightve been smn ab a feather or a rock or seashell or smn like that

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

0 star wasn't an option. It was ok enough 1st time reading it. I think it's boring.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a kid and I really enjoyed it. It was funny and a good read about a tween girl figuring things out in life.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda lives in the shadow of her older sister Margaret. Amanda's mother also makes her feel not good enough. Amanda gains confidence by her opening her mind and making new friends.

[Molly]

LUCK

Has your sister or friend ever moved far away from you? I read " The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods for my book project. Ann Cameron wrote this book. The theme of my book is life's too short so make the best of it. The main character in my book is Amanda. She is the younger sister of Margaret. Lyle was Amanda's best friend.

In the beginning, Amanda's best friend was moving. They switched hands so they would have something to remember each other by. Amanda's dad owned the The Rome Hotel. Amanda and her friends went there after school and did their homework while they ate ice cream. Then Amanda found a four leaf clover and knew it was a sigh of LUCK. Amanda's father told her that if she got an "A" on all her papers and her report card she could get her own room in The Rome Hotel. Her and her friends could do their homework in peace. The room was room seventeen. Amanda starts writing to Antoine Bonnier in letters. They start becoming very good friends. Now you're going to have to read the book to find out the rest of it.

The book was good, but I thought it was for younger kids. I didn't have a favorite part in the book. The book was well written for younger kids. I would give this book a nine out of ten. I would recommend my book to younger kids, but not my friends.

So, to wrap thing up Amanda and Margaret are sisters. Amanda wanted to do good in algebra so she can get her own room, room seventeen. She love The Rome Hotel. She also misses Lyle, her best friend. Now, all you have to do is read the book and find out if you like it too!

[Megan McKenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal reaction: A truly inspiring story for students (especially girls) around 5th grade. I love how Amanda struggles in relatable situations but uses them to find out who she really is. She finds out, or at least questions why other people and things are they way they are. Girls who are experiencing changes in themselves and their lives will be able to connect with this book.

Purpose: I would recommend this book as an independent reading book as a lot of personal lessons can be found, also boys probably would not bind this book enjoyable as a rule. I would ask students who have chosen this book to do a project that involves the characters and their feelings. I would choose a couple of key plot points in the book and have students write a "diary" as each of the main characters referring to these spots.

[Gefen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Secret Life of Amanda k Woods is a story about a girl named Amanda that lives in Lost Lake with her mother, father and her big sister Margaret. Amanda's father owns a hotel in Rome named the Rome hotel. Her mother is very strict and wants every thing to be perfect and neat. Amanda is treated as the not successful child because her sister Margaret gets straight A's. Later on in the book Amanda meets friends (because in the beginning she didn’t have) and also gets good grades and is much happier. She also finds out about her mother's past. She also becomes pen pals with an older boy and talks to him and is in touch with him throughout the whole book. I recommend this book for bored people who have a lot of time to kill.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in rural Wisconsin during the 1950s. Amanda and her family live on a lake outside town and their only neighbors have just moved away. This is a big loss for Amanda as she has lost her best and only friend. Amanda also has difficulties at home. Her mother is a perfectionist and Amanda does not measure up to her older sister Margaret. The story follows Amanda over the course of the fifth grade and things get better for as the year goes by. This is the kind of book that is more about feelings and emotions than action in the story. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Capcaibakar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dibeli karena (ya apalagi kalau bukan) lagi diskon di Periplus. Ditambah embel-embel pemenang festival apa gitu. Dan iya bagus. Kisah kehidupan remaja perempuan yang introvert lalu ditinggal sahabat karibnya sehingga ia harus berusaha mencari sahabat baru.

Bagus, tapi ya ga ada kejutan atau twist macam-macam sih. Kisah hidup remaja normal, bukan kisah yang ketemu kakak kelas cakep luar binasa-pemain basket-pintar luar biasa lalu jatuh cinta dan dimusuhi kakak kelas yang sngguh cantik namun kejam. Eh itu sinetron ya?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally bought this novel out of a school book order when I was around Amanda's age - probably eleven. I find myself in the pages now just as I did then - the gains and losses of friendships, attempting to live up to the expectations of others, questions of conformity, the struggle to connect with family members, etc. I love Amanda for both her childishness and her drive to grow into the person she wishes to be.

[Shanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I loved Amanda and her mom. Each and every character had thier own problem. Amanda was late growing up. Her dad doesn't like talking, her mom wanted everyone to be as perfect as her, and her sister had wierd ways of dealing with people. It was a great book. But I have to say my favorite part is when her father is talking to her mother and said he wants to raise her. It was so sweet, what he said. It warmed my heart.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

gr 4-6 201 pgs


1950s, rural Wisconsin. 11 year old Amanda wishes she was more like her older sister Margaret. Margaret always seems to get her way and has no trouble pleasing their mother. On top of that, Amanda's best friend Lyle has moved away just when she could really use a friend. But Amanda discovers that some changes can be good...


I found this book a little dull. This book reminded me of Elliott's "Flying South"

[Eman E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Surprisingly it was sitting in my bathroom as poop-time-literature for months, but once I got past the first few chapters and specifically when I read about how Amanda's mom referred to her as "average", my interest peaked.

This book has feminist themes and I find it empowering to girls who are trying to find their own identity in the world. It also has good advice on how to treat people with kindness in efforts of making friendships.