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I didn’t particularly love the last Suzanne LaFleur book I read. In fact, I might never have gotten around to reading Eight Keys if I hadn’t already bought it, years ago, for a couple of bucks–AND if it hadn’t been available in audio. I did get to it, however, and I finished it last night, and I’m pleased to report that I liked it MUCH better than Listening for Lucca (although honestly, that wouldn’t have been terribly difficult). Elise (aka Cricket) is struggling with the transition to middle school; the work is more difficult (and just MORE) than she expected, her locker partner is bullying her, and her home life is changing up now that sort-of-cousin Annie and her 5-month-old, Ava, have come to live with them. Her best friend, Franklin, hasn’t changed, but suddenly Elise is worried about what other people think of her, and him, and the things they’re used to playing together. Elise is suddenly struggling with ALL THE THINGS, and she isn’t handling any of them very well.
In the midst of the turmoil, however, she discovers a key–a key that opens one of eight locked rooms upstairs in the barn–and opens the door to the first of a series of rooms that her dead father seems to have left for her to discover. As she discovers more keys and enters more rooms, she tries to understand what he was trying to tell her–and how it will help her get her suddenly messy life sorted out.
I liked this one. I liked it DESPITE having recently read at least two other books about middle school kids who are being bullied, and I think it had a lot to do with the balance. The bullying and the mystery of the keys were a combination that worked, and it was mostly because the combo was proportioned so well. Before I started it I assumed I’d be giving it away when I finished; now I’m anticipating that my 10-year-old will read and enjoy it. Elise’s family is fabulous, her friends are good friends, and she is understandable even when she isn’t being particularly likable. Bottom line? A solid choice for middle grade girls.
And some boys.