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Trading Secrets
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Back in fifth grade, Micah Knight got an Amish pen pal, and over the years, they've exchanged many letters--and many secrets. At age seventeen, Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. The only problem is that because of confusion about her name when the pen pals were assigned, her pen pal was a boy, Zack Miller. And all this time, Micah's never told
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Paperback, 278 pages
Published
October 21st 2014
by Fleming H. Revell Company
(first published October 14th 2014)
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This was another fantastic book by Melody Carlson. In one scene, I even cried a little. I will pick up some of her other Amish fiction later on this year.
I really enjoyed this young adult novel. There is a nice mixture of Amish and "English" culture discussed in the book and the straightforward, first-person perspective that is used helped me feel as if I was really in the mind of the teenage girl, Micah. I know that first-person dialogue is a fairly popular way of writing young adult novels.
I enjoyed watching Micah try to fit in with Zach's Amish family. It was refreshing to hear about what she liked and disliked. And Micah was not treated the s ...more
I enjoyed watching Micah try to fit in with Zach's Amish family. It was refreshing to hear about what she liked and disliked. And Micah was not treated the s ...more
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
When I come across any book centering on pen pals, it immediately has my attention. I love the idea of writing letters, so those types of plots always fascinate me – and Melody Carlson’s Trading Secrets is no exception. Though not too many actual letters are involved within the story, it does explore the antics of two long-term pen pals meeting each other in person. It was an entertaining and fun read with spiritual themes of faith, uncertainty and the ...more
When I come across any book centering on pen pals, it immediately has my attention. I love the idea of writing letters, so those types of plots always fascinate me – and Melody Carlson’s Trading Secrets is no exception. Though not too many actual letters are involved within the story, it does explore the antics of two long-term pen pals meeting each other in person. It was an entertaining and fun read with spiritual themes of faith, uncertainty and the ...more
*Book Description*
Micah McKnight had an Amish pen pal that she has been writing letters to since the fifth grade. Micah's friend Lizzie heard that Micah's pen pal wanted to know if he could come visit his pen pal that he has been writing for awhile and has assumed all this time. that Micah was a boy. when plans of Zach coming to visit Micah got canceled Zach asked Micah if he wanted to come to visit him on his Amish farm on Micah's spring break. Micah accepted Zach's invitation to come meet him. ...more
Micah McKnight had an Amish pen pal that she has been writing letters to since the fifth grade. Micah's friend Lizzie heard that Micah's pen pal wanted to know if he could come visit his pen pal that he has been writing for awhile and has assumed all this time. that Micah was a boy. when plans of Zach coming to visit Micah got canceled Zach asked Micah if he wanted to come to visit him on his Amish farm on Micah's spring break. Micah accepted Zach's invitation to come meet him. ...more
About this book:
“The truth may set you free—but it might also land you in some uncomfortably hot water.
Over the years, Micah Knight has exchanged many letters—and many secrets—with her longtime Amish pen pal, Zach. But Micah’s kept quiet on the secret of all—that fact that despite her name, she’s a girl.
Now Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. She wants nothing more than to experience life on Zach’s Amish farm, but she’s more than a little anxious. Will he be angry a ...more
“The truth may set you free—but it might also land you in some uncomfortably hot water.
Over the years, Micah Knight has exchanged many letters—and many secrets—with her longtime Amish pen pal, Zach. But Micah’s kept quiet on the secret of all—that fact that despite her name, she’s a girl.
Now Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. She wants nothing more than to experience life on Zach’s Amish farm, but she’s more than a little anxious. Will he be angry a ...more
The picture on the front of this book drew me in, and the concept also intrigued me. When the story unfolds we have a young girl/woman going to visit her Amish pen pal, which she has been corresponding with for a number of years. Her name is Micah, and you can guess what Zack Miller thinks, yes, and she never corrected him during the several years of letters going back and forth.
I can just picture her as she arrives at the farm dressed as a boy. When I think of the strict Amish culture, it does ...more
I can just picture her as she arrives at the farm dressed as a boy. When I think of the strict Amish culture, it does ...more
I loved this sweet YA novel about two teenagers – Amish Zach and Englisch Micah. They start out as pen pals, have a big misunderstanding, and end up as friends (with a hint of maybe more).
This is a perfect, clean, appropriate relationship story for ages 11 and up. Carlson makes the dialogue come to life, and shows authentic teenage emotions and behavior. I was invested in Zach and Micah’s relationship. I wanted their friendship to work out. Carlson provided a wonderful balance of heartbreak, emo ...more
This is a perfect, clean, appropriate relationship story for ages 11 and up. Carlson makes the dialogue come to life, and shows authentic teenage emotions and behavior. I was invested in Zach and Micah’s relationship. I wanted their friendship to work out. Carlson provided a wonderful balance of heartbreak, emo ...more
I don’t normally read Amish fiction, but this book sounded interesting and I’ve liked other books written by Melody Carlson, so I picked this one to read. I really liked it! It did seem a bit unrealistic, but it was a sweet coming of age story for young adults with themes of friendship, trust, and truthfulness. It was interesting to read about some of the Amish culture and I liked reading about the characters’ reactions to each other’s lifestyles and the contrasts shown between the Amish and Eng
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What a hope giving book! The characters were down to earth and easy to like. When you start writing to a pen pal you never know what will happen. Will they write in return, ignore your letters, or become more than a pen pal? Micah has not shared the complete truth with her Amish pen pal Zack but soon discovers that it is a painful mistake. Her world and the Amish world meet in a challenging and uncomfortable way. She learns much about life through this experience and becomes a more honest person
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There are no easy answers in life, and no easy solutions, but this YA book about friendship, honesty, and the importance of being true to yourself explores what happens when long-time penpals finally meet and discover the realities about each others' lives... and a secret that may end their friendship.
The faith element is much more lowkey than in some other books by the same author, and shouldn't be offputting to nonreligious readers.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange ...more
The faith element is much more lowkey than in some other books by the same author, and shouldn't be offputting to nonreligious readers.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange ...more
This was a really sweet story of two friends who've written to each other for years. This was a very clean book and it was very refreshing to read it. I've read quite a few books by Melody Carlson and each book I've read of hers as not been disappointing.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Since grade five Micah had had a penpal, Zach, who is Amish. But what Zach did not realize then, something that seemed unimportant so long ago, is that Micah a girl. And now that Zach wants to come for a visit, this oversight from the past suddenly assumes huge proportions.
To complicate matters, at the last minute Zach’s father decides he needs his son’s help with the planting and so Zach invites Micah to the farm instead, with a warning that it might be a lot of work for an English boy.
What on ...more
To complicate matters, at the last minute Zach’s father decides he needs his son’s help with the planting and so Zach invites Micah to the farm instead, with a warning that it might be a lot of work for an English boy.
What on ...more
I don't read Amish books as a rule of thumb. I don't understand this Christian fiction trend of being obsessed with the Amish, and I don't partake in it. But when I saw this blurb, I was intrigued. I had to know how it played out, and I've read quite a few Melody Carlson books, enough to know that I liked her writing, and decided to give this one a chance.
This one was interesting, to say the least. If you know anything about the Amish, then you should know enough to know that boys and girls mix ...more
This one was interesting, to say the least. If you know anything about the Amish, then you should know enough to know that boys and girls mix ...more
Trading Secrets: A Novel
Melody Carlson
Copyright 2019
Publ: Revell
Micah Knight is a girl with a guy’s name. That has created a problem. Her Amish pen pal for the last 6 years is a boy who thinks she is a boy. Now he wants to visit, and she doesn’t know how to tell him she isn’t a “he”.
At the last minute she gets a letter telling her he can’t come because he has to stay and help with the spring planting. He offers her a chance to visit his farm instead. After talking with her father and best fr ...more
Melody Carlson
Copyright 2019
Publ: Revell
Micah Knight is a girl with a guy’s name. That has created a problem. Her Amish pen pal for the last 6 years is a boy who thinks she is a boy. Now he wants to visit, and she doesn’t know how to tell him she isn’t a “he”.
At the last minute she gets a letter telling her he can’t come because he has to stay and help with the spring planting. He offers her a chance to visit his farm instead. After talking with her father and best fr ...more
Micah didn't pick her name. Her mom insisted on naming her that, even though it meant giving her daughter a boy's name. At first she didn't mind, because her tomboy attitude made her name rather realistic. She also got a great Amish pen pal out of the deal. Zach assumes she's a boy because of her name, and she knows enough about the Amish that if he knew she was a girl he wouldn't be allowed to write to her. So she leave that fact a secret, and their friendship grows over the year. Now shes a se
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Melody Carlson penned a tale of an 'English' girl and Amish boy exchanging letters since grade school. Due to Micah's name, Zach mistakenly thinks his pen pal is a boy. When Micah learns the truth, it's too late for her to confess her identity as she fears losing her new friend.
As the years go by, Micah and Zach's friendship grows stronger. In order to meet him, she disguises herself as a boy to visit his family's farm. While there, she realizes that despite the land's beauty, there's a shadow ...more
As the years go by, Micah and Zach's friendship grows stronger. In order to meet him, she disguises herself as a boy to visit his family's farm. While there, she realizes that despite the land's beauty, there's a shadow ...more
This tale of penpals finally meeting each other has a twist, as one does not realize the other is actually a girl instead of the boy he thought he'd been writing to. Some of Carlson's books are greatly entertaining. This was not one of them. The first-person narrative stood out too much, rather than making the story more convincing. Overall it had a very simple plot, not very interestingly told.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I don't usually pick up books pertaining to Amish culture as I find sometimes the terms a challenge to understand. This book however captivated me from the first pages. If you are looking for a great read, this is one you will not want to put down.
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Interesting and Entertaining story. I like both characters Zack and Micah. I wanted both of their relationships to work out.
I grew up with Amish kids and let me tell you, not a single one was anywhere near as naive as Zach.
this was an adorable YA book, just cute from the beginning to the end...and I love the ending made me happy!
I received my copy of Trading Secrets by Melody Carlson through the Goodreads First Reads program.
***Does contain spoilers.***
Micah Knight, an English girl from Cleveland, has been writing to Zach Miller for six or seven years. What began as a school project to match English children with an Amish pen pal has turned into a fantastic friendship. The two have shared a great deal over the years, even some inner thoughts that they could not share with family or other friends. The one secret that Mic ...more
***Does contain spoilers.***
Micah Knight, an English girl from Cleveland, has been writing to Zach Miller for six or seven years. What began as a school project to match English children with an Amish pen pal has turned into a fantastic friendship. The two have shared a great deal over the years, even some inner thoughts that they could not share with family or other friends. The one secret that Mic ...more
Oct 06, 2014
Isis Ray-sisco
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
favorite-christian-novels,
net-galley-books
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my thoughts or review of the book.
Trading Secrets by Melody Carlson is a wonderfully delightful tale about two best friends from two different walks of life. I really loved Trading Secrets and will be looking into buying more of her books. I enjoyed Zack and Micah’s story. It was heartwarming and kept my attention from the first page until the last one. The writing style is smooth and the plot moves nicely. The c ...more
Trading Secrets by Melody Carlson is a wonderfully delightful tale about two best friends from two different walks of life. I really loved Trading Secrets and will be looking into buying more of her books. I enjoyed Zack and Micah’s story. It was heartwarming and kept my attention from the first page until the last one. The writing style is smooth and the plot moves nicely. The c ...more
In fifth grade, Micah invited her Amish pen pal to visit her. Now, six years later, he’s ready to take her up on the offer. Things come up and he’s unable to get away from the farm, so he invites her to visit him instead. Micah, knowing full well that Zack thinks she’s a boy, decides to go. She dresses as a boy for their initial meeting, but she can’t keep the charade up and confesses the truth to Zack and his whole family the first night. I’m so glad she didn’t keep deceiving them, because she
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*Book Description*
Ever since she started writing her pen pal Micah Knight knew she wanted to meet him in person. Now that the opportunity has risen though, she feels a little sick...not with Zach Miller but with herself...more seriously, her secret. Not that it would be a secret for long if they were to meet face to face. Zach thinks Micah is a boy, when she is, in fact, a girl. Torn between a desperate want to meet the boy that's captured her heart without her even knowing it, and keeping her ...more
Ever since she started writing her pen pal Micah Knight knew she wanted to meet him in person. Now that the opportunity has risen though, she feels a little sick...not with Zach Miller but with herself...more seriously, her secret. Not that it would be a secret for long if they were to meet face to face. Zach thinks Micah is a boy, when she is, in fact, a girl. Torn between a desperate want to meet the boy that's captured her heart without her even knowing it, and keeping her ...more
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am not really into the Amish Fiction thing, but having read another Melody Carlson book that had to do with the Amish, I figured I'd give this one a try. I had liked the first one, so I assumed this one would be at least okay too. I SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT.
There are a ton of problems with this book; characters, plot, themes...it was a struggle to read.
First off, none of the characters are likeable. Well, I take that back. ...more
I am not really into the Amish Fiction thing, but having read another Melody Carlson book that had to do with the Amish, I figured I'd give this one a try. I had liked the first one, so I assumed this one would be at least okay too. I SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT.
There are a ton of problems with this book; characters, plot, themes...it was a struggle to read.
First off, none of the characters are likeable. Well, I take that back. ...more
Suggested Age:13+ Genre:Young Adult, Amish fiction
This book was hysterical. I wasn’t sure if I would like it because I often find YA books to be lacking in depth and story. Of course, there are always exceptions and this happened to be one of them.
My daughter read this first and she kept telling me all of the really funny parts in the books. I mean, how many Amish books do you read that talk about the, “hot Amish guy.”
This book does involve an Amish family but it isn’t really what I would consi ...more
This book was soooo good! The characters were witty, clever, and humorous. I couldn’t put it down and read it in 2 days! This was accomplished by staying up till 3:00 a.m. two nights in a row!!! I know many have posted it as a young adult read but I think that is too limiting. Adults young or old would enjoy it.
When she was in the 5th grade, Micah agreed to be a part of a class project and write to an Amish pen pal. The one assigned to her was named Zach. The teacher sent the children’s pictures ...more
When she was in the 5th grade, Micah agreed to be a part of a class project and write to an Amish pen pal. The one assigned to her was named Zach. The teacher sent the children’s pictures ...more
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Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspi ...more
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspi ...more
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“I always thought faith was kind of a personal thing, Dad says thoughtfully.
Everyone has to figure out for themselves how much they should do things like pray or read the Bible.”
—
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Everyone has to figure out for themselves how much they should do things like pray or read the Bible.”
