Keeping Secrets

Orphan Train Adventures #6

by Joan Lowery Nixon

Offering refuge to stranger Violet Hennessey during the Civil War, eleven-year-old Peg Kelly learns that Violet is fleeing Confederate raiders and holds information that may save the Union. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Civil War, Historical

163 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Author of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.

Reviews

[Kate Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Sorry for the short review. Didn't have much to say on this awesome book.
Summary:
It's the autumn of 1863, and as the Civil War rages, a stranger named Violet seeks refuge with the Kelly family. Peg Kelly, 11, is thrilled--Violet treats her like an adult, not a child. Violet is fleeing Confederate raiders and has information that may save the Union. But she can't deliver her message unless she takes a dangerous journey. Will Peg be able to help her?
Plot:
I found this plot to be just as enjoyable as all of the other Orphan Train Adventure books; which means it was really good. It was exciting, and it made me want to know what happened next. It's a shame it took me so long to read.
That ending, though. I was tearing up, and wouldn't have seen it coming at all if I hadn't been spoiled for the ending.
Characters:
It was very refreshing to have two new main characters. I really liked Violet, and her mysterious ways. I wished there could have been a whole other book about her.
Onto Peg. She was such a cute character. It was awesome to see the original characters so much older than they were.
Overall & Recommendations:
This was such a good book, and I'm glad to have finished the series. This series is perfect for 4th+.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is centered about Peg. Honestly, she's not my favorite character in this series.

That being said this story was interesting. They are still in the middle of war, and that brings about many struggles.

Peg is still a child but longing to feel grown up. As with many children, that longing and her thinking she's grown gets her into trouble. But, as she struggles, she learns and matures.

The end was heartbreaking.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three years have passed since the Kelly children moved out west from New York City. This part of the tale is placed in the hands of Peg, now 11 years old. Peg's desperate to be like her older siblings and longs to be treated like an adult. She is granted the chance when the mysterious Violet comes to stay with Peg,and her mother and stepfather. Unlike in A Place to Belong, the action builds naturally as Peg and Danny suspect that Violet is really a spy for the Confederate cause. Unfortunately their quest for answers yields tragic results. Peg is a likable narrator, however the characterizations of her, her mother, stepfather, and Danny are much too one-dimensional. Historically, Nixon is not at her best nor is the writing as good as it was in A Dangerous Promise and In the Face of Danger still Keeping Secrets is a book worth reading if only because it add to the overall arch of the series. You will find yourself wanting more about the Kellys after reaching the final page.

[Kassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn't expecting that ending! This one made up for the lack of feeling in #5.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently I'm a cranky old person now because I didn't like this one much at all. Peg, an eleven-year-old girl, meets a young women whom she likes and wants to be friends with, but the woman does and says things that don't sit well with her. Peg wonders if the woman might not be quite what she says she is but convinces herself and those around her to ignore any red flags. You, as a reader, get a great overview of how a manipulative person works -- emotions being used to distract others, half-falsehoods disguised as truth, adeptly causing people to agree with things they had just disagreed with. The most blatant was when the woman manipulated Peg's mother into allowing Peg to go into a dangerous situation with her (against the mother's better judgment) using guilt, emotional blackmail, and coercion.

All of those examples of a how a manipulative person acts would be so helpful and appropriate in a children's book if that person is clearly exposed as a manipulator. But no! -- (spoiler alert) the manipulative woman turns out to be a good person who is just trying to save the Union. That alone made me dislike the book, but it also missed a huge opportunity when it brought up several times an issue that is pushing Peg away from her mother and then never resolved it. The icing on the cake was (spoiler again!) the sudden death of a main character at the end of the book.

I rated it two stars because of the series as a whole, but I found myself questioning whether I would even want Meg to read it. It could be a springboard for discussion, but I also feel that the way it handles manipulation so lightly is almost too dangerous for a young mind.

[McKaela Magaldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, "Keeping secrets" is realistic fiction. It is written by Joan Lowery Nixon and it is book #6 out of 7 in the series. The main character, Peg has grown to be a beautiful 11 year old. Peg wants to be treated like a young lady. One day her older sister, France shows up with a lady who looks tired, scared, and depressed. Fracnes explains how this lady named Violet Hennessey(oh though they thought) who had to flee away from the Rebs, after they destroyed her town. Peg's mother: Noran Kelly invited the woman into they're home. Mrs. Hennessey treats Peg like the young lady she is, and Peg loves that. Noran still treats peg like the child she is: not allowing her to hear stories about the war, giving her a bed time, and calling her good girl. Peg enjoys having Mrs.Hennessey as their guest and dosen't want her to leave. Peg feels like when she's with Mrs.Heneessey, she knows everything, and that Mrs.Heneessey really does like/trust her. One day Peg find out that Mrs. Henessey lied to her about almost all the information she told her. She didn't flee to Sanit Ju. because of the rebs destroying her town. Peg starts to hurt, thinking that Mrs.Henssey treated her like a lady, told her everything, and liked her. Peg continues to find more twist and lyes Mrs.Henessey has told. Read to find out who is Violit Hennessey? What is she hiding? Why does Peg want to be treated like a young lady when she is only 11? and more.

If you enjoyed any of the books in the series,"The Orphane Train Adventures", you might like this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is so sad. Poor Danny. Poor Alfrid.

Point in favor: In the 1860's it makes perfect sense that in a family with 6 children, not all would live to adulthood.

But Danny? Alfrid and his wife adopted two children. (did they already have children who'd died?) Then Olga dies. Then Peg decides to leave Alfrid to live with her mother again. Now Danny's died, and I feel like Alfrid has lost the tragic-storyline-lottery in a big way.

[Kyla Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this series as a kid, and still remember the impact it had on me. A fun re-read and walk down memory lane.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids-5 stars Me-4 stars
The spy business kept the kids guessing. They were quite sure they had it all figured out. The ending was sad...

[Hayley H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series very much as child but this was one I only could bring myself to read once. Because I was so heartbroken that Danny died. I remember crying thinking it was so unfair that of the two Kelly children that were able to remain together one had to die. I’d assumed they would all grow up and reunite being they were so close knit. But seeing it as adult it’s not uncommon for the times for a child to die too soon, especially in a family of many siblings.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on Peg's story. The Civil War is still being fought and changing the lives of everyone, including Peg and her family. She comes in contact with a spy and doesn't know what side this spy is on. In this book, she learns lessons about who to trust and about growing up.
Very clean and easy read.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was my favorite of the orphan train adventure series.

[kathy smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars thriller

Excellent read. Exciting, heartbreaking and suspenseful. Couldn't put it down. History comes to life in this thriller. Good read for readers of all ages.

[Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another neat child's book. As my last review, the stories seem to be going a bit faster and less details. But I still love this series. A must if your child loves history.

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is great. We all love the story and I especially love that each book teaches a lesson. I just ordered the last one because our library didn't have it; we can't wait to read it.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny and Peg are siblings who were adopted from an Orphan Train in St. Joseph, MO. Now the Civil War has come to their area, and they have reason to believe the new lady that has arrived in town might be a spy. But what can two young children do about it? This is the 6th book in a delightful juvenile historical fiction series “The Orphan Train Adventures.” I highly recommend the entire series for children 8-12.