The Secret of Me: A Novel in Verse Paperback – December 17, 2007

The Secret of Me is a unique adoption story because it is composed as a book in verse. It is written as a fictional account of a teenage girl’s perspective on being adopted and how it impacts her learning, home and social life. The heroine, Lizzie, experiences a “good” adoption, but like many adoptees, she still harbors concerns and fears over what others will think and how others will treat her if they knew her secret. She longs for a birth story. She also longs for open, objective and fair communication about her thoughts between herself, her friends, and her parents. The Secret of Me is an excellent choice for anyone from about grade 6 through adult. It is an honest account of what being adopted feels like regardless of generations, especially if the adoption was closed. This book clearly explains the fact that even in the finest of circumstances, adopted kids and even adults are thinking about their alternate time lines and about what would have happened in their other lives. It validates that many adoptee feelings and beliefs are real and common among our community. In the story, Lizzie has an older brother and sister who are also adopted, but everyone in her household finds it impossible to discuss adoption in terms of feelings. It is indeed a universal struggle for adopted people to put their feelings into appropriate words because so many of us have been silenced and told how we should think.This book is a fast read, and although it was composed in verse, it does not necessarily rhyme. You do not have to be a connoisseur in poetry to appreciate this tale which may or may not be semi-autobiographical. There are many moments when, while reading, the adoptee reader will experience a , “Yeah, Same here!” feeling as will most readers from middle school age on up in this coming of age tale. There is a detailed afterward section which explains author, Meg Kearney’s creative process for putting this story together and some of the works which inspired her (and her main character, Lizzie). The afterward isn’t required, but since the book itself is so short, it provides a nice closure.I have no criticism except to say I wish it were longer because I felt involved with the family in this book and did not want to leave their story lines.

This book is a great start for those who enjoy poetry and wish to write their own verse novels. She explains the types of poetry and uses her poetry as examples.The story about her feelings about adoption is just fabulous, which makes you feel like you are in her shoes.An easy and enjoyable read.

A great collection of poems, exploring the issues of adoption for a young teen

The Secret of me is a good book that is based on a kid that is adopted. When you start to read this book you wont be able to put it down because its so good. But the best part about this book is the format becasue it is poetry. The Secret of me is a book that all of you should and see what is it like to be adopted.

Meg Kearney does such a beautiful job in this verse novel about Lizzie's desire to know who her birth mother is and her guilt at the thought of hurting her parents, whom she loves so very much. I loved Lizzie's journey, the emotional rawness in her poems, and the family that's come out of love. I also really enjoyed the different poetic forms, along with the back matter that explained them and provided examples.

Meg Kearney has shown us that a novel in verse is not only possible--with all the twist and turns--but can be done wonderfully well.

Marie Harris is a local NH author. She donated this book to our PTO so that we could use it at our Reading Under the Stars event. At the end of the event, we were able to donate all of the books from local authors to our town library, which is also the library utilized for the school. It was a wonderful teaching opportunity as the students were able to read books from people that are from our state and it helped them to realize their potential later in life. We greatly appreciation her generosity!

It seems pretty daring to attempt "a novel in verse" for young adults---how many of them read poetry?---but Meg Kearney brings so much passion, narrative skill, technical ability, and insider's insight to this wonderful little book that kids (and adults) will love it. There's a very engrossing story here, told in a novel way. Make that a poetic way. I have friends and relatives who were adopted, and I never felt such understanding and empathy for them as I did after reading this book. I hope "The Secret of Me" gets the attention it deserves.