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The Monkey's Secret
A segregated town, a hidden boy, a courageous girl - and a mystery in desperate need of solving.
San Francisco, 1900. Thirteen-year-old Lizzy Kennedy is not like the other girls in her town. She'd much rather be helping her doctor father with his patients than be stuck in frilly dresses and learn how to dance - but unfortunately for her, society (and her Aunt Hortense) has other ideas about what is 'proper' for a young lady. This includes not poking your nose in other's people's business - but then Jing, their beloved housekeeper, gets stuck in the Chinatown quarantine. Fear rules San Francisco - fear of the Chinese, and mostly fear of the plague rumours that circle them. Lizzie knows she has to help Jing, whatever the warnings. But what she doesn't expect to find is a strange boy hiding in Jing's room.
The boy is called Noah. He says he's Jing's son - although Lizzie's never heard of him - and although he's escaped the quarantine, he can't risk leaving the house in case he gets rounded-up too. Lizzie wants to investigate, but it seems her questions only get people riled up. Is there really plague in San Francisco? What have the Chinese got to do with it? Just what or who is the mysterious 'monkey' - and what has his secret got to do with anything? Lizzie will have to use all of her courage, instinct and cleverness to unravel the mystery of the monkey's secret, save Jing, Noah and Chinatown - and maybe even her change her own destiny.
San Francisco, 1900. Thirteen-year-old Lizzy Kennedy is not like the other girls in her town. She'd much rather be helping her doctor father with his patients than be stuck in frilly dresses and learn how to dance - but unfortunately for her, society (and her Aunt Hortense) has other ideas about what is 'proper' for a young lady. This includes not poking your nose in other's people's business - but then Jing, their beloved housekeeper, gets stuck in the Chinatown quarantine. Fear rules San Francisco - fear of the Chinese, and mostly fear of the plague rumours that circle them. Lizzie knows she has to help Jing, whatever the warnings. But what she doesn't expect to find is a strange boy hiding in Jing's room.
The boy is called Noah. He says he's Jing's son - although Lizzie's never heard of him - and although he's escaped the quarantine, he can't risk leaving the house in case he gets rounded-up too. Lizzie wants to investigate, but it seems her questions only get people riled up. Is there really plague in San Francisco? What have the Chinese got to do with it? Just what or who is the mysterious 'monkey' - and what has his secret got to do with anything? Lizzie will have to use all of her courage, instinct and cleverness to unravel the mystery of the monkey's secret, save Jing, Noah and Chinatown - and maybe even her change her own destiny.
249 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2015
About the author
Gennifer Choldenko
41 books754 followersThere’s a Lego in my bum which fits with the Lego in my chair and when I sit down to write, I hear the satisfying snap of the two pieces fitting together. I love words, dictionaries, thesauruses, sharp pencils, the smell of book ink and the delicious art of carving out sentences on clean white paper. I love to slip into another person’s skin and feel what it’s like to live another life. I love when characters come to me out of nowhere and make me cry so hard my mascara runs or laugh until my stomach hurts. I love the crazy fun and infinite possibility of storytelling.
What prepared me for a life of writing fiction? Though I have a BA from Brandeis University in English and American Literature and a BFA in illustration from Rhode Island School of Design, the true answer is probably genes. I come from a long line of Irish storytellers on my father’s side and theatre people on my mother’s. I always knew I loved to write, but it took me a long time to summon the courage to chase the dream. I finally went for it when I realized I would prefer to be a failure at something I wanted to do, then a success at something I didn’t.
While I was pretending I wasn’t a writer, trying to be a nice person with a nice quiet job somewhere, I sold lingerie, lipstick and lamp shades. I wrote junk mail. I taught visually and hearing-impaired kids horseback riding. I held a prestigious job in rubbish removal and I worked in a factory wearing a paper gown while wielding a large mallet on small serving packages of ketchup.
One Third Nerd, my funniest novel yet, is due out in January 2019. My most famous novel, Al Capone Does My Shirts, garnered 20 awards, one of which was the Newbery Honor. The Tales of Alcatraz series has sold more than 2 million copies. What will probably be the last book in the series: Al Capone Throws Me a Curve is the best of the fifteen books I’ve written so far.
I am a fitness fanatic; a book-obsessed, tennis-playing woman who thinks like a twelve-year-old. If I ever get the good fortune to meet you, offer me coffee and I will be your friend for life.
What prepared me for a life of writing fiction? Though I have a BA from Brandeis University in English and American Literature and a BFA in illustration from Rhode Island School of Design, the true answer is probably genes. I come from a long line of Irish storytellers on my father’s side and theatre people on my mother’s. I always knew I loved to write, but it took me a long time to summon the courage to chase the dream. I finally went for it when I realized I would prefer to be a failure at something I wanted to do, then a success at something I didn’t.
While I was pretending I wasn’t a writer, trying to be a nice person with a nice quiet job somewhere, I sold lingerie, lipstick and lamp shades. I wrote junk mail. I taught visually and hearing-impaired kids horseback riding. I held a prestigious job in rubbish removal and I worked in a factory wearing a paper gown while wielding a large mallet on small serving packages of ketchup.
One Third Nerd, my funniest novel yet, is due out in January 2019. My most famous novel, Al Capone Does My Shirts, garnered 20 awards, one of which was the Newbery Honor. The Tales of Alcatraz series has sold more than 2 million copies. What will probably be the last book in the series: Al Capone Throws Me a Curve is the best of the fifteen books I’ve written so far.
I am a fitness fanatic; a book-obsessed, tennis-playing woman who thinks like a twelve-year-old. If I ever get the good fortune to meet you, offer me coffee and I will be your friend for life.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 20, 2016
I picked this up as a title to use with my Chatterbooks group. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but I challenge them to read books they wouldn't normally pick, so I have to do the same. I really enjoyed it. I was fascinated to learn about the plague in San Francisco in 1900. The story gives a good flavour of the period, yet Lizzie and her problems still feel current and relatable in many ways.
November 25, 2016
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Why I read it: The cover grabbed my imagination, followed by reading up on the blurb. Seriously. Anything to do with the plague, let me at it.
Plot: It's 1900 and we are in San Francisco. Lizzie is thirteen years old and she's not like the other girls at school. She wants to get a proper education and become a doctor when she's older, and she definitely doesn't want to get married! Her father is away when their housekeeper gets locked down in Chinatown, due to a quarantine as vague rumours about the plague are whispered and a monkey is mentioned. But what does a monkey have to do with it? Well. Lizzie makes it her mission to find out!
My Thoughts: I struggled with what genre to put this under, but went for middle grade due to Lizzie's age. I associate MG with being a bit simple when it comes to the writing, and I don't read a lot of it because of this. However The Monkey's Secret really hooked me once the story got going. It took a few chapters for me to warm to it, but once I did I couldn't stop.
Lizzie is a great main character. She doesn't think she has anything in common with the girls at school, her brother has turned mean and her father is often away on house calls due to his role as a doctor (sometimes he takes her with him, much to her Aunt's horror). Lizzie's mother has passed away and her family lives on her Aunt and Uncle's estate. When Jing, the housekeeper goes missing, she discovers Noah, a boy, living in Jing's room.
They become tentative friends as Lizzie schemes about how to get Jing out of Chinatown and safely back home. Noah was great for Lizzie, he brought her out of her shell and I think they really helped each other grow as people. Poor Lizzie got caught out at every turn, but it was fun seeing her think of another way to get around the people trying to block her from finding out the secrets that were being hidden.
Lizzie grew as a character before my eyes, the novel has some twists and turns and a heart wrenching ending (but in a good way, I think). We learn that adults scheme as much as children do, and we really should give credit where it is due. We are all human, and unfortunately that means we are not all good.
This story was engaging and wonderfully written. It makes me sad to think that people suffer such prejudice, really the world doesn't change all that much as time goes on; does it? There's always something or someone else for others to be suspicious about, for whatever reason.
In Brief: An interesting mystery novel, with a section on the actual timeline at the back (would suit history nerds lol) I like how it was fiction but it was based on real events. It made me glad that we live in the age we do now! Definitely recommend.
Why I read it: The cover grabbed my imagination, followed by reading up on the blurb. Seriously. Anything to do with the plague, let me at it.
Plot: It's 1900 and we are in San Francisco. Lizzie is thirteen years old and she's not like the other girls at school. She wants to get a proper education and become a doctor when she's older, and she definitely doesn't want to get married! Her father is away when their housekeeper gets locked down in Chinatown, due to a quarantine as vague rumours about the plague are whispered and a monkey is mentioned. But what does a monkey have to do with it? Well. Lizzie makes it her mission to find out!
My Thoughts: I struggled with what genre to put this under, but went for middle grade due to Lizzie's age. I associate MG with being a bit simple when it comes to the writing, and I don't read a lot of it because of this. However The Monkey's Secret really hooked me once the story got going. It took a few chapters for me to warm to it, but once I did I couldn't stop.
Lizzie is a great main character. She doesn't think she has anything in common with the girls at school, her brother has turned mean and her father is often away on house calls due to his role as a doctor (sometimes he takes her with him, much to her Aunt's horror). Lizzie's mother has passed away and her family lives on her Aunt and Uncle's estate. When Jing, the housekeeper goes missing, she discovers Noah, a boy, living in Jing's room.
They become tentative friends as Lizzie schemes about how to get Jing out of Chinatown and safely back home. Noah was great for Lizzie, he brought her out of her shell and I think they really helped each other grow as people. Poor Lizzie got caught out at every turn, but it was fun seeing her think of another way to get around the people trying to block her from finding out the secrets that were being hidden.
Lizzie grew as a character before my eyes, the novel has some twists and turns and a heart wrenching ending (but in a good way, I think). We learn that adults scheme as much as children do, and we really should give credit where it is due. We are all human, and unfortunately that means we are not all good.
This story was engaging and wonderfully written. It makes me sad to think that people suffer such prejudice, really the world doesn't change all that much as time goes on; does it? There's always something or someone else for others to be suspicious about, for whatever reason.
In Brief: An interesting mystery novel, with a section on the actual timeline at the back (would suit history nerds lol) I like how it was fiction but it was based on real events. It made me glad that we live in the age we do now! Definitely recommend.
September 3, 2015
3.5 really, but the premise of this makes me round up as I loved the inspiration.
I've not read Gennifer Choldenko's previous books, and The Monkey's Secret is quite different to my usual choice of reading material. However, I was drawn in by the bright cover art and when I realised it was set in San Francisco I knew I wanted to give it a whirl (it's one of the destinations I'm heading to on my trip to America later in the year).
The Monkey's Secret is a fictional story based around actual events in San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century. Doctor's daughter Lizzy overhears an adult conversation which appears to be spoken in code- why is everyone talking about a monkey? After much digging, she discovers rumours that the plague is rife in the Chinatown region of the city and takes it upon herself to find out more.
Lizzy is a wonderful character- brave, clever and sharp as a tack. She's determined and strong and refuses to let adults keep her in the dark. Her tenacity is admirable and I am so pleased this book had a great female protagonist, particularly as it's set in the past. Aunt Hortense was a formidable woman too, I could imagine her throwing the most withering of looks to those who dared to do anything she disagreed with. This book will definitely appeal to the feminist reader due to the ballsy portrayal of the female characters.
There were times the pace was a bit slow for my taste, but I was interested enough in the story to keep turning the pages. It was appealing to read a book set in a different time and place and the imagery Choldenko portrays, particularly within Chinatown, is magnificent. The sense of mystery really comes across and whilst I was cheering Lizzy on, willing her to obtain the information she desperately longs for, I had my heart in my mouth at the end of the story. There are a few chilling moments, that's for sure.
At the end of the book there's a timeline showing the actual dates of the events that inspired Choldenko and I definitely learnt a lot from this - I never even knew San Francisco had been affected by the plague.
If you're looking for a unique mystery with a feisty female lead, The Monkey's Secret is well worth a look.
I've not read Gennifer Choldenko's previous books, and The Monkey's Secret is quite different to my usual choice of reading material. However, I was drawn in by the bright cover art and when I realised it was set in San Francisco I knew I wanted to give it a whirl (it's one of the destinations I'm heading to on my trip to America later in the year).
The Monkey's Secret is a fictional story based around actual events in San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century. Doctor's daughter Lizzy overhears an adult conversation which appears to be spoken in code- why is everyone talking about a monkey? After much digging, she discovers rumours that the plague is rife in the Chinatown region of the city and takes it upon herself to find out more.
Lizzy is a wonderful character- brave, clever and sharp as a tack. She's determined and strong and refuses to let adults keep her in the dark. Her tenacity is admirable and I am so pleased this book had a great female protagonist, particularly as it's set in the past. Aunt Hortense was a formidable woman too, I could imagine her throwing the most withering of looks to those who dared to do anything she disagreed with. This book will definitely appeal to the feminist reader due to the ballsy portrayal of the female characters.
There were times the pace was a bit slow for my taste, but I was interested enough in the story to keep turning the pages. It was appealing to read a book set in a different time and place and the imagery Choldenko portrays, particularly within Chinatown, is magnificent. The sense of mystery really comes across and whilst I was cheering Lizzy on, willing her to obtain the information she desperately longs for, I had my heart in my mouth at the end of the story. There are a few chilling moments, that's for sure.
At the end of the book there's a timeline showing the actual dates of the events that inspired Choldenko and I definitely learnt a lot from this - I never even knew San Francisco had been affected by the plague.
If you're looking for a unique mystery with a feisty female lead, The Monkey's Secret is well worth a look.
December 4, 2015
I received a copy of The Monkey's Secret for free as part of the Goodreads first reads giveaway.
This was a quick, intriguing story based during the outbreak of the plague in San Francisco in 1900 (which I was previously unaware of). Well developed characters and good storyline.
This was a quick, intriguing story based during the outbreak of the plague in San Francisco in 1900 (which I was previously unaware of). Well developed characters and good storyline.
January 24, 2016
This is a great exploration of growing up, racism and friendship, with the right mix of adventure, intrigue and sadness. The narrator, Lizzie, can border on being too-näiflike, but an very good YA read nonetheless.
June 23, 2016
I read this book under a different title. "Chasing Secret" by Gennifer Choldenko.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews