Living in Secret [Paperback]

Cristina Salat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 19, 1999 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Ever since Amelia's parents got divorced, she has wished she could live with her mother and her mother's girlfriend, Janey, but a judge gave her father custody. Finally, after years of living apart, Amelia, and her mom decide there is only one thing to do. On a cold October night, Amelia's mother comes to steal her away. For Amelia, living in secret means changing her name, not going to school, and pretending she is twelve instead of eleven. The adventure of beginning a whole new life, with brand new family and friends, is marred only by the shadow of a past that could shatter the present in an instant, should anyone find out who Amelia really is.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Amelia was excited about escaping from her father's house to go live with her mother and her mom's lesbian lover in San Francisco. However, the 12-year-old soon discovers that having an assumed name, lying to her new friends about her past and negotiating the maze of complications arising from her mom's lifestyle isn't as much fun as she thought it would be. But when her father finally hunts her down and forces her to return home, Amelia is able to draw strength from her experiences to make a difficult choice. This first novel tackles some hefty social issues including racism, homosexuality, lawbreaking, personal integrity and justice. Though Salat's carefully worded treatment generates options for the reader, her style is constrained and lacks spontaneity. Still, this is a courageous, thought-provoking and thorough foray into some tough, worthy concerns. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

After six years in her father's custody, Amelia, 12, escapes through a window at three a.m. to live with Mom and Janey, whose lesbian bond is in its ninth year. At first, Mom stays in New York to confuse Dad's detective while Amelia and Janey fly to San Francisco and set up house under new names; Amelia describes the anxious care required to keep their stories consistent and avoid attention. Though she doesn't go to school (they hire a tutor), she becomes close to a girl she meets at the library, but it's not an easy friendship: Elizabeth reads Amelia's secretiveness as racism (Amelia's not sure about bringing Elizabeth home, but it's not because she's black) or as lack of trust. Eventually, Amelia confides in her friend, and Elizabeth holds true (though her nice, strict parents have their prejudices). Then the detective tracks them down, and--forcibly and under threat of prosecution- -Dad takes Amelia back to Long Island, where she manages to make contact with Mom and will probably accept her offer to reopen the custody question in court. Salat's debut is carefully fashioned to present the issues: Amelia has always preferred her mother, whose relationship with Janey is mature, stable, and affectionate; her placement with Dad was a result of homophobia- -his and the court's. The main characters are likable and believable, though not shown in depth; Dad, however, is so one- dimensionally adamant that it's hard to credit Amelia's love for him. Even so, crafted with insight and skill. (Fiction. 11-14) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Books MarcUs; 3 edition (July 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916020029
• ISBN-13: 978-0916020026
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,860,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book for all young readers, October 19, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Living in Secret (Paperback)

I had an extremely difficult time finding a book for a preteen reader that dealt with having a gay parent. I was delighted to finally stumble upon this one. I gave it to my partner's daughter and she loved it. It's a wonderful story which details the difficulties of a young girl living under an assumed identity in order to live with her lesbian mom and her mom's girlfriend. The three of them create a happy family but Amy struggles with hiding her true identity as well as the fact that her mom is gay. The author presents these difficult issues in a compassionate, realistic, and positive manner. I highly recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Living in Secret (Paperback)

This is a well written book with numerous issues. The young girl lives with her Dad but runs away with her mother and her mother's female lover. They drastically change their identities to hide. The main character has to deal with divorce, homosexuality, secrets and lies, and multi-cultural issues with new friends.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about accepting different lifestyles, November 2, 1998

By 

Christina [e-mail] (Memphis TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living in Secret (Hardcover)

This is ine of the first really good young adult book that I have seen dealing with split families in which one parent is not straight. It shows you a really up lose look at this girls life and the extent she is willing to go to to be with her mother