Eight Keys

Eight Keys written by Suzanne LaFleur is the coming-of-age story of a sixth grade girl named Elise whose entire world is changing and she can’t manage to keep up.  She starts her 6th grade year at a new middle school where her locker partner bullies her, her best friend Franklin seems to much like a baby to hang out with anymore, she can’t seem to keep up with her schoolwork, and her Aunt Annie is moving in with her new baby.

Elise’s guardians (her Uncle Hugh and Aunt Bessie) are there to help her at every turn whether it be problems with school, friends, or just about life in general.  She also has eight locked rooms in the barn created just for her by her father as he was dying of cancer.  As she begins to discover her dad’s messages to her, she slowly begins to grow up.

This was a beautifully written novel about growing up.  I enjoyed it especially because unlike many of today’s novels written about this topic, the protagonist has a strong family and friend network that helps her through every turn.

Title: Eight Keys
Author: Suzanne LaFleur
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Page Number: 216 pgs.