Secrets (novel) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Secrets

First edition
Author	Jacqueline Wilson
Illustrator	Nick Sharrat
Country	England
Language	English
Genre	Young adult fiction
Publisher	Doubleday
Publication date	2002
ISBN	0-440-86761-4
OCLC	70671713

Secrets is a popular book by Jacqueline Wilson, first published in 2002. It tells the story of two girls, Treasure and India, through their diary entries. Even though they come from very different backgrounds, they become close friends. Treasure lives in a difficult home situation, while India has wealthy but often busy parents.

Their friendship grows, and their lives become connected. The famous book The Diary of Anne Frank is very important in Secrets. It inspires the girls and influences their choices throughout the story.

The Story of Secrets

Treasure's Difficult Start

Treasure lives with her mum and her stepfather, Terry. Terry is not kind to Treasure. After an incident where Treasure gets hurt, her grandmother, Rita, steps in. Rita takes Treasure to live with her. Even so, Treasure sometimes has bad dreams about Terry.

India's Lonely Life

India lives in a fancy neighborhood called Parkfield Estate. She lives with her parents and their au pair, Wanda. India's dad is a businessman who struggles with a personal issue. Her mum, Moya Upton, is a fashion designer. Moya often worries about India's weight, which makes India feel bad. India doesn't have many friends at school. Her only comfort is reading The Diary of Anne Frank. She sees Anne Frank as her hero.

A New Friendship Forms

One day, India walks home from school alone. She meets Treasure in a different part of town. They quickly become friends. India loves Treasure's lively family. Treasure is impressed by India's fancy lifestyle. Their friendship brings joy to both their lives.

India starts to wonder if her dad and Wanda are more than just friends. Meanwhile, Treasure gets a scary phone call. Her mum and Terry say they are coming to take her home.

Hiding Away

To keep Treasure safe, Rita sends her and the other kids away from the flat. But Terry spots Treasure. She has to run and hide where he can't find her. She runs to India's house. India uses her parents' busy schedules to hide Treasure. She hides Treasure in her attic, just like Anne Frank. India lends Treasure The Diary of Anne Frank. Treasure also starts to look up to Anne.

Secrets Revealed

News spreads that Treasure is missing. Her mum and Terry go on TV to ask for help. A boy from Treasure's neighborhood is wrongly accused of taking her. Treasure feels terrible. She wants to go home because she knows her Nan is worried. But India tries to convince her to stay hidden and safe. India also deals with her own family problems. She worries about her dad's struggles and if Wanda is expecting a baby.

Eventually, Rita comes to India's school looking for Treasure. India has to tell the secret. Her mum is upset. India, feeling angry, also reveals Wanda's secret. Rita promises to keep India's part in hiding Treasure a secret. She takes Treasure home.

Treasure decides to tell everyone the truth about Terry. Her story on the news leads to a legal battle. Rita fights for custody of Treasure and wins. Treasure's mum says she doesn't want Treasure anymore because she told the truth. But they share a hug. Treasure begins her new life with Rita.

Life After the Secrets

In the end, India shares what happened next. Her parents are getting a divorce. Her dad faced serious problems with his work. Wanda went back to Australia. India finds comfort in her new therapist, Chris. Chris encourages her to study psychology.

Treasure and India are still best friends. Treasure even becomes a model for India's mum, Moya Upton. At the end of the story, they go on a photoshoot to Amsterdam. Of course, they visit Anne Frank's attic. Seeing Anne's diary makes both girls emotional. India says they know the story by heart, even if they can't read Dutch.

Characters in Secrets

Treasure's Family and Friends

• Treasure: She is one of the main characters. She lived with a difficult stepfather. Treasure is thin, wears glasses, and has asthma. She loves her Nan very much. After being hurt, she moves in with her Nan. She is used to being the new kid at school. Treasure is strong and tough, but she also has a kind side. She learns to trust others after her experiences.
• Nan: Treasure's grandmother. She is very stylish and young for a grandma. Everyone in her neighborhood looks up to her. She teaches line dancing. Nan is warm and welcoming. She always puts her family first and fights for what she believes is right. She loves Treasure deeply.
• Pete: Nan's boyfriend and Patsy's dad. He is in prison but will be free soon. He loves Nan very much and wants to protect her.
• Terry: Treasure's stepfather. He is not kind to Treasure and her mum. He can be tricky and pretends to be sorry after being mean.
• Tammy: Treasure's mum. She often stands by Terry. She sometimes shows she cares for Treasure. But she often puts Terry's feelings first, even over her daughter's safety.
• Patsy: Nan's youngest child. She likes Treasure a lot. Patsy wants to be famous and is good at dancing. She is sweet and innocent.
• Willie: Nan's son. He goes to the local school. He has a BMX bike that Treasure borrows. At first, he teases Treasure, but they become good friends. He is loyal and wants to protect her.
• Loretta: Nan's daughter and Britney's mum. She is fifteen and stopped school when she had Britney. She is a caring mum and wants the best for Britney. She is determined to keep Treasure safe.
• Britney: Loretta's baby daughter. She is very pretty. Treasure loves taking care of Britney and feels a special bond with her.
• Kyle: Terry's son. He acts tough but gets upset when Treasure is hurt. He and Treasure share a special friendship.
• Bethany: Terry's daughter. She doesn't always get along with Treasure. But she gives Treasure her designer T-shirt before Treasure leaves and cries.
• Dolly: Nan's second oldest child. She lives in Wales.
• Waylon: Nan's son. He lives in Australia.

India's Family and Friends

• India: She is the other main character. She lives in a fancy area. India is smart and thoughtful. She has frizzy red hair and is a bit overweight. This makes her a target for teasing, even from her own mum. She feels lonely at school. Her hero is Anne Frank. India is sensitive and wants others to care about her as much as she cares about them.
• Richard: India's dad. He works for a company called Major Products. India used to look up to him a lot. He struggles with a personal issue. He seems to have a lot of stress from his job.
• Moya: India's mum. She is a fashion designer for children's clothes. She is very thin and often on a strict diet. She often argues with India about food and calls her a "crybaby."
• Wanda: India's au pair from Australia. She is thin and often seems sad. She secretly buys India chocolate. She often sleeps or cries. India worries she might be expecting a baby. Wanda sometimes teases India, but she also gives her sweets.
• Mrs. Winslow: Moya and Richard's cleaning lady. She is firm but caring. She almost catches Treasure when Treasure is hiding in the attic.
• Phoebe: A small girl with curly hair. She is Moya's main model at first. She is very pretty, and India wishes she looked like her.
• Maria: One of the mean girls who teases India at school. She can be kind when alone with India. But she makes fun of India's size and interest in Anne Frank when others are around.
• Alice: Maria's best friend. She always agrees with Maria and doesn't share her own ideas.
• Miranda: India's best friend from primary school. She went to boarding school and stopped writing to India.
• Mrs Gibbs: India's teacher at her private school. She tries to be kind to India and encourages her to talk about her problems.
• Mrs. Hedges: The deputy headteacher at India's school.
• Mrs. Blandford: The headteacher at India's school.