I adore everything about the cover, that it’s a hardback without being too big to carry around, and, of course, the story. It was disappointing.Įight Keys is a truly beautiful book. She had a perfect opportunity and platform.

LaFleur did not send the message to children to TELL AN ADULT when someone is bullying you. The message I took from this, from an educator's standpoint, is adults really aren't aware of what children and young adults are dealing with when it comes to bullying in the schools. The thing is the adults in Elise's life did care about her. Adults should be their safety and in this book it was Elise and Franklin against the mean girl. All children need to know they have an advocate in any adult when it comes to bullying. I hate that one of the messages sent in this book is when you go to an adult with an issue they will not listen to you. Elise tried telling two adults at school and her own guardians, to no avail.

However, I am very disappointed in the way the bullying situation was handled in this book. I really like LaFleur's style with YA realistic fiction. The books I read are not intended as recommendations for any particular age group. I still read before bed, and, now that I'm older and have a big bed to myself, I slide the book I'm reading under the pillow next to me (rather than the one I'm planning to sleep on!).īecause readers of all ages visit me here on Goodreads, I really do like to put up a genuine record of what I read, whether it's for kids, teens, or adults. Most days I take a nap, which I tend to do with a book on my chest, whether or not I was actually reading it before I fell asleep. I do my best writing at home in my pajamas, though a lot of days I will venture out to a library to work (in jeans and a sweatshirt, rather than PJ's!). I like to warm up for writing by playing computer games. Due to my frequent travels, I don't really have a 'typical' day, but most days I spend some time writing, reading, exercising (swimming, lifting, or walking), and visiting with friends. Now I divide my time between Natick, MA and New York. I went to college in Lexington, VA at Washington and Lee, where I studied English and European History I went to grad school in New York City at The New School, where I studied Writing for Children. I always read late into the night and slept with a book under my pillow. I was very much a planner, dreamer, and writer, creating plays and shows for my siblings and the neighborhood kids to be in and filling up entire notebooks with novels. During the summer I read a couple books a day and spent hours swimming and playing outside at our local pool or beach. During the school year I went to Catholic school, did a lot of homework, and read a couple books a week. I grew up outside Boston in Newton, and later Natick, MA.

Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur