About This Book
"Secret Lies" follows thirteen-year-old Elvira as she navigates a new life in rural Virginia, moving in with her aunt. She arrives with a head full of romanticized notions about the father she has never met, alongside her mother's strong opinions about small-town living. The core of the story revolves around Elvira's journey of discovery, as the idealized image of her father is confronted and ultimately "shattered" by reality. This book is suitable for older elementary to middle school readers, particularly those grappling with family secrets, identity, and the complexities of parental relationships. It offers a poignant exploration of truth, disillusionment, and resilience.
Thirteen-year-old Elvira arrives at her aunt's home in the hills of Virginia full of fantasies about the father she has never known and her mother's prejudices about life in a small town.
mental_health_themes
family_secrets
Discussion Prompts
1
How did Elvira's feelings about her father change throughout the story?
2
Why do you think Elvira's mother had prejudices about small-town life?
3
Have you ever had an idea about something that turned out to be very different in reality? How did that feel?
4
What does it mean to be resilient, and how did Elvira show resilience in this book?
5
How do family secrets impact people, and why might people keep them?
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