Customer Reviews

Secret Letters From 0 to 10

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't know if it is the rhythm of the story, or the delightful characters and their changing relationships that enchanted me so in this story of Ernest and his completely boring, predictable world being upset by Victoria, the new girl in school.

Ernest has lived a clockwork life with his elderly grandmother and equally aged housekeeper for 10 years. That begins to change, when Victoria and her 13 brothers come into his life. He begins to stray from his dull routine, and one day, discovers a book in the grocery store. He has NEVER been to the grocery store until he helps Victoria, but on this fateful day, he discovers a book in the paperback rack that may have the answer to his life-long question; where is his father, and why did he leave him?

As Ernest pursues this quest, he finally begins to live life, bringing his grandmother along with him. Ernest does discover the answer to many of his questions, but more importantly, he, along with his grandmother, discover what it means to really live and love. "Secret Letters From 0 to 10" is a completely charming read.

This book has all the elements that a person wants in a good read. Secret letters, dreary lives suddenly switched upside down into colorful lives, new people constantly being introducted, and a mystery slowly unveiling through-out the book. Well written and with characters you really want to get to know, Susie Morgenstern has created a wonderful, real, fantastical story. The story sets its own pace, gliding the reader alone as lonely 10 year old orphaned Ernest meets vivacious Victoria, the new girl at school, and, after helping her carry her books home, her 13 brothers. Victoria and her family help Earnest and his sad grandmother re-awaken to the wonders of life, helping them see the colors and enjoyment of it all instead of just the old dusty dead past. This reviewer can just hope that this is just one of many books to come - hopefully this will be a series. There is still so much to uncover, so much to learn, and so many more people to meet. A novel to be recommended highly, to readers of any age.

This book was very funny. Victoria (the girl whi loves Ernest) barges into Ernest's life and takes over. Ernest has lots of questions, and Victoria inspires him to ask. Victoria is a loud and proud girl, and Ernest is a very quiet and polite boy. Together they have loads of baby adventures, and fun. Victoria, who has 13 brothers, a total of 16 in her family, and Ernest who just has 2 (he lives with his grandmother), there lives differ incredibly. Then while grocery shopping one day, Ernest finds a book, written by his unknown father. He writes to him, then recieves a package full of letters, written to him since the day he was born, every day, from 0 years to 10 years old. He starts to contact him, and soon finds out that he lives in America. Before the summer, his Grandmother surprises him. With tickets to visit him in America! Can't tell the end, but there is loads more I didn't mention.

I really enjoyed this book as well as "A Book of Coupons". Both books are 5 stars. After reading them I want to read all books I can find by Susie Morgenstern.

What a rich, rewarding story of the turnaround of a ten-year old boy's life. You won't be able to put this book down.

Deborah Blumenthal
author of "Fat Camp"

I was totally enchanted by this book in the beginning with its depiction of a lonely little boy living in silence with his depressed grandmother. What a great book, I thought, for a 3rd/4th grade accelerated reading group I will be tutoring. However, as I continued, I became increasingly uneasy. There is an especially, creepy incident toward the end of the book when the hero is invited to the birthday party of a girl who has a crush on him. He arrives thinking that it will be an actual party, but it turns out that he has been the only person invited. The tone is almost one of a sexual predator on the part of the girl. When the hero is asked by his friend, another girl who has a crush on him, what they did at the party, the young boy (he must be around 10/11) replies impulsively, "We made love!" He actually didn't, but why bring that into a children's book? The mystery of the secret letter from his grandfather turns out to be surprisingly easy to read by an older child, and the letters that the grandmother is constantly reading are not explained. The totally irresponsible father explains why he abandoned his son, the hero, in a series of letters, instead of meeting with his son, like a responsible adult, and apologizing. Ok for grades 6-7, but written in simple style that they might find boring.

thats whats ernest thinks.i very good book,a dead mother a father who disapeared and a grandmother who is old and kind thats what ernest lives with.dose he find his father?what does secret letters 0-10 mean?does he have any friends?find out in this interesting book.

This book is delightful! Fresh metaphors and quotable lines abound. I feel like a French way of thinking and living permeates this book, and the translation captures a way of thought that is different from that in America. Another thing I noticed is the proliferation of cross-age friendships, as people of many different stages of life join their lives together. This book is a definite "keeper"!