Anne Lambelet/Katherine Tegen Books
Secret secret, they’ve got a secret. Well, plenty of secrets. And mysteries, and thrills, even. Because for the Greystone siblings, a rollercoaster ride that features doppelgangers, missing family members, and mirror worlds never stops.
Author Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Greystone Secrets series kicked off with The Strangers, which follows the titular Greystone kids, Chess, Emma, and Finn. When they discover that three children – with the exact same names – have been kidnapped, they’re quickly drawn into a vast mystery after their mom disappears on a work trip.
Peterson’s follow-up novel, The Deceivers, picks up right at the end of the first, with the trio joining up with a new friend, Natalie, so they can dive back into this new mysterious world for another chance to reunite their families. But Peterson weaves a delightfully twisty narrative, with many things not as they seem. For the mirror world doesn’t quite reflect their own in the same way; things on the other side are much darker, and more evil. Allies might not be so friendly on the flip side, and even the truth may be outlawed.
The fast-moving plot is grounded with the dichotomies that sprout with every interaction. Chess, Emma, and Finn, who thus far have had an almost perfect life, are forced to reflect on their experiences growing up when compared with the less-fortunate children in the mirror world, and with kids from differing socio-economic and racial backgrounds. Haddix seamlessly molds these reflections and growth experiences into the narrative, which should come as no surprise; the veteran author has more than 40 publications, including the Shadow Children, the Missing, and the Children of Exile series.
For those seeking a good time, the Greystone Secrets series is a must-read, drawing comparisons to oft-cited hits like A Wrinkle in Time or City of Ember. Chess, Emma, Finn, and Natalie will be more than happy to bring you along.
Thank you to Cotton Tails, the place to find unique children's clothing and shoes, found in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, and Literacy Mid-South for sponsoring this children’s book review! Learn more about the various programs offered by Literacy Mid-South by visiting their site literacymidsouth.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @literacymidsouth.