Publishers Weekly
In Mitchell's (The Traitor King) engrossing and entertaining novel, the trick to the titular secret, according to 15-yearold James, is to "believe yourself and others will believe you, too." And in his first year at an elite public boarding school, he reinvents himself by doing just that. A punk haircut and a few casual lies about getting into fights and stealing cars convinces his fellow students that he's a tough rebel instead of the milquetoast he'd actually been. James enjoys all that comes with his new life--from makeout sessions with sexy, punk Jessica to the pranks he pulls with his outsider friends ("I figured my place in the trio would be to play the quiet, brooding rebel"). James also engages in late-night IM conversations with someone named ghost44, who seems to know too much about him, and deals with a series of disturbing dreams in which he's forced to confront his internal demons. Mitchell paints a vivid picture of teenage social and mental health issues, neither overdramatizing nor understating their impact, and the result is a great read. Ages 14-up. (June)
School Library Journal - Audio
Gr 9 Up—James Turner is invisible—or at least that's what he believes since no one in his high school seems to know he is there. When he's given the opportunity to attend the American Science and Mathematics Academy (ASMA), a public boarding school, James decides it is time to reinvent himself. He tells a few white lies to make himself sound interesting and soon becomes known as a rebel who steals cars and participates in street fights. He acts the part by dying his hair purple, playing pranks across campus, and hooking up with an older girl. Although not everyone is fooled by his new image, James enjoys his new life—until he begins to have realistic nightmares where he is haunted by demons. When these dreams start to encroach on reality, leading James to participate in dangerous activities, he learns his tendency to stretch the truth does, indeed, have consequences. Nick Podehl's masterful narration of Todd Mitchell's novel (Candlewick, 2010) makes James, as well as the entire boarding school community, come alive. This story may appeal to fans of John Green's Looking for Alaska (Dutton, 2005).—Amanda Rollins, Northwest Village School, Plainville, CT
School Library Journal
Gr 9–11—In his old high school James, 15, was unremarkable, "the guy no one noticed." When he's offered a scholarship to a public boarding school for intellectually gifted students, he accepts. He is done being a dull, boring nobody and sees ASMA (American Science and Mathematics Academy) as a chance to reinvent himself. How hard could it be to impress a bunch of overachieving nerds and geeks? With purple spiked hair, grunge clothes, and a few little lies, James has most of them convinced he's from the wild side, a street-fighting punk with pyromaniac tendencies. His scars help propagate the tough-guy image, though they are real, and self-inflicted. James's character is compelling as he straddles the line between fantasy and reality, builds friendships, pulls off outrageous pranks, and deals with the angst of first love. He and his friends are real teens—funny, intelligent, and still a bit vulnerable. Sensitive readers will make an emotional connection with James and root for him to overcome his demons, both real and imagined. Teens will also relate to the poignant IMs between him and the enigmatic persona of ghost44, who tells James, "I can't be myself in person." This coming-of-age novel is imbued with wry humor and offers a thoughtful take on the importance of learning to live in your own skin.—Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA
APRIL 2012 - AudioFile
James Turner sees high school as an opportunity to reinvent his drab existence, but he begins to cut himself as a way to cope. In his dreams, James battles demons. In his waking hours an online friend questions his cool façade. Nick Podehl gives listeners a clear picture of James’s slow journey to self-awareness. Podehl vividly depicts boarding school pranks and dorm humor. Mitchell’s book is challenging to narrate. The opposition between James’s wry humor and his bouts of depression makes it difficult for Podehl to strike an appropriate tone. Further, the dream sequences interrupt the action and are underacted by Podehl. And stronger adult characterizations by both the author and narrator would better anchor James’s school community. With respect to production, volume levels are noticeably inconsistent, and the listener can hear breathing. Despite these challenges, Podehl does a credible job with an unusual novel of teen issues. C.A. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
For James, a freshman loser with virtually no friends, reinvention comes in the shape of the American Science and Mathematics Academy, an exclusive public boarding school made up of nerds and geeks. He dyes his hair purple. He makes up wild street-fighting stories that awe his new friends. Pranks, stunts and dangerous trysts with bad girls ensue. Despite his new guise, James realizes he must confront the demons that give him nightmares and induce him to cut himself. When he meets Ellie, a beautiful, standoffish loner, he understands that the task is going to be much harder than expected. Mitchell tells a straightforward, from-the-gut story that mostly feels real, despite some hard-to-swallow moments at the end. His characterizations ring true, especially James's hilariously goofy dorm mates. Comparisons to John Green's Looking for Alaska can't help but be drawn, however, especially since the two share so many similar elements. Despite the fact that Green's work is miles ahead of Mitchell's, the latter's voice is definitely one to watch. (Fiction. YA)
