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My Secret Guide to Paris
From the author of the Charmed Life and It's Raining Cupcakes series comes a novel of family, friends, and a Paris adventure that readers will never forget!
Nora has always wanted to see Paris, thanks to her Grandma Sylvia's stories. But when Sylvia suddenly passes away just months before their planned trip, Nora thinks she's lost everything.
Nora still dreams of Paris--and when she finds her own name on a set of clues to a Parisian scavenger hunt packed away in her grandmother's room, along with plane tickets, Nora knows that Sylvia still wants her to go, too.
At last, Nora sets off on the adventure--and mystery--of a lifetime. What did Grandma Sylvia want her to find in Paris? Why do all the clues insist that Nora's mother be with her? And could the key to healing and forgiveness be found at the top of the Eiffel Tower?
Nora has always wanted to see Paris, thanks to her Grandma Sylvia's stories. But when Sylvia suddenly passes away just months before their planned trip, Nora thinks she's lost everything.
Nora still dreams of Paris--and when she finds her own name on a set of clues to a Parisian scavenger hunt packed away in her grandmother's room, along with plane tickets, Nora knows that Sylvia still wants her to go, too.
At last, Nora sets off on the adventure--and mystery--of a lifetime. What did Grandma Sylvia want her to find in Paris? Why do all the clues insist that Nora's mother be with her? And could the key to healing and forgiveness be found at the top of the Eiffel Tower?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2015
About the author
Lisa Schroeder
36 books2,096 followersLisa Schroeder is the author of more than twenty books for kids and teens. Her latest novel is A NIGHT TO DIE FOR, a YA murder mystery. She lives in Oregon where she works full-time and writes when she can.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
April 8, 2015
I read far too often that people avoid reading YA books (and, in turn, younger books) because they don't really deal with issues well, don't have the sort of emotional maturity, what have you.
I say hogwash, and offer My Secret Guide to Paris up as a counter.
The story itself is very simple, and it's written toward its target audience, for sure. A young girl has a great relationship with her grandmother, and their combined desire is to go to Paris together. Unfortunately, the grandmother dies in an accident and Nora isn't sure she'll be able to go anymore until her mother finds three tickets and some envelopes in a trunk. Quickly, they're off to Paris and what becomes a fun scavenger hunt for Nora to enjoy Paris and everything that goes with it.
This book is actually pretty solid on a few levels. It deals with loss, with family drama, with independence and spreading your wings, with new experiences. A lot of these feel really pure and realistic, which is not always true of middle grade books, and the end result is one that you really hope for, which is great. No, the book isn't dealing with Important Social Issues or forging any new frontiers, but it doesn't have to - instead, it's a book that kids will pick up thinking they're getting a light story, and end up with one that they'll probably find something to relate to. That's what makes good fiction for kids work.
Just a solid read across the board, and I wish I read it earlier. Definitely recommended for any kids in your life, and if you're into books for kids, you should read it, too. A ton of heart.
I say hogwash, and offer My Secret Guide to Paris up as a counter.
The story itself is very simple, and it's written toward its target audience, for sure. A young girl has a great relationship with her grandmother, and their combined desire is to go to Paris together. Unfortunately, the grandmother dies in an accident and Nora isn't sure she'll be able to go anymore until her mother finds three tickets and some envelopes in a trunk. Quickly, they're off to Paris and what becomes a fun scavenger hunt for Nora to enjoy Paris and everything that goes with it.
This book is actually pretty solid on a few levels. It deals with loss, with family drama, with independence and spreading your wings, with new experiences. A lot of these feel really pure and realistic, which is not always true of middle grade books, and the end result is one that you really hope for, which is great. No, the book isn't dealing with Important Social Issues or forging any new frontiers, but it doesn't have to - instead, it's a book that kids will pick up thinking they're getting a light story, and end up with one that they'll probably find something to relate to. That's what makes good fiction for kids work.
Just a solid read across the board, and I wish I read it earlier. Definitely recommended for any kids in your life, and if you're into books for kids, you should read it, too. A ton of heart.
February 27, 2016
My secret Guide to Paris hat mich wirklich überraschen können. Was ich erwartet habe, das ist eine süße Contemporary Geschichte, in der es um die wundervolle Stadt Paris geht. Was ich aber außerdem bekommen habe, das ist ein junges Mädchen, das zum ersten Mal in Kontakt mit dem Thema Tod tritt und eine Geschichte darüber, was Familie ist und was es bedeutet für diese zu kämpfen ♥ Und ja, ich gebe es zu, am Ende ist dann doch ein kleines Tränchen gekullert. Es war ganz wundervoll mit Nora gemeinsam die Schnitzeljagd durch Paris mitzumachen, die deren Großmutter vor ihrem Tod für sie geplant hatte.
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March 13, 2019Now available in Paperback!!
If you enjoy this one, please check out the companion novels with more stories of girls having fun adventures around big cities:
SEALED WITH A SECRET, starring Phoebe in London
KEYS TO THE CITY, starring Lindy in New York City
If you enjoy this one, please check out the companion novels with more stories of girls having fun adventures around big cities:
SEALED WITH A SECRET, starring Phoebe in London
KEYS TO THE CITY, starring Lindy in New York City
July 10, 2024
I read this when I was in elementary school and absolutely ADORED it. I’ve been trying to find this book for ages and I’m so happy I found it
September 28, 2021
Ahh!!!!!! THIS WAS SO GREAT!! I loved this super cozy mystery book💕
So this one is about a girl, Nora, she is a very sweet girl and is desperate to go to Paris with her beloved grandmother. But her mom keeps on postponing it because Nora’s mother’s realtionship with her grandmother isn’t that great. But soon Nora learns that her sweet and chaming grandma died. But she has left Nora a Paris treasure hunt kinda thing which sounds cool!!❤️❤️
I really loved this book!!💕 It is about family, friendship, relationships, travelling and Paris🥳 I loved this adventure so much!! And it was so cozy! I really loved Nora and her new friend Phoebe so much! All the characters were truly so sweet!😊❤️
I loved it!!❤️❤️
So this one is about a girl, Nora, she is a very sweet girl and is desperate to go to Paris with her beloved grandmother. But her mom keeps on postponing it because Nora’s mother’s realtionship with her grandmother isn’t that great. But soon Nora learns that her sweet and chaming grandma died. But she has left Nora a Paris treasure hunt kinda thing which sounds cool!!❤️❤️
I really loved this book!!💕 It is about family, friendship, relationships, travelling and Paris🥳 I loved this adventure so much!! And it was so cozy! I really loved Nora and her new friend Phoebe so much! All the characters were truly so sweet!😊❤️
I loved it!!❤️❤️
April 19, 2017
Very fun read! I really liked the characters, setting, and story. :D
January 28, 2021
This is book is a solid 4 stars. I enjoyed myself while reading this although it wasn't the best book in the world. I did really like how they didn't drag events out as long as they do in some other children books. I would say if you have a strong passion for Paris and want to learn more about it definitley give this story a shot.
August 17, 2021
4 Stars
Kind of cheesy, and it's just not *THAT* book for me, but others might enjoy it. I also think the big surprise at the end could have been better then a book, at least in my opinion.
Kind of cheesy, and it's just not *THAT* book for me, but others might enjoy it. I also think the big surprise at the end could have been better then a book, at least in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2017
I like this book because in it Nora gets to go on a treasure hunt. You might like this if you like Sealed with a Secret. In this book Nora is hoping to go on a hunt that her grandma left behind, but it's in Paris and the problem she has to convince her mom to go there. Nora finally convinced her mom to go to Paris. Once she arrived she meets a girl named Phoebe and become friends. Together her and Phoebe go to the first three places, but then find out that she has to be worth her mom leaves she's scared to tell her mom but,finally has to tell her. She agrees and they see so many things and meet people Nora's grandma once knew. On the last one though Nora's mom is scared to go to a fashion show that Nora's grandma helped design. Nora convinces her to go though and Nora liked the fashion show a lot and after her and her mom get a key to the box at home no learns to spend more time with her mom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2015
The book My Secret Guide to Paris by Lisa Shroeder is a page turning book that had me up all night. The author uses advanced words to emphasize the emotions. The beginning was twisted and I would never expect it would happen. My favorite character is Nora, the main character, because she perseveres through all the hardships. I would rate this book five stars because it is a page turning adventure in Paris with Nora. I hope my classmates love this book as much as I did.
February 17, 2023
Cute book for tweens as we get ready for our trip to Paris, I think Lexy will like it!
October 13, 2023
Fun YA book about Paris, which makes me me miss being there.
February 6, 2017
I would recommend this book to any 5-6 grader who likes to read about adventures. I loved it it was a good book. I like how it talked about Paris and all the pastry's. The book My Secret Guide to Paris was about a girl named Nora who was planning a trip to Paris with her grandma, but a little before the trip her grandma died. Then while her and her mom were see what to keep in memory of her grandma she found a map that was on Paris with places marked and envelopes, in a trunk. Nora tried to look for more stuff in the trunk and she found a metal lock box. She tried to open it but it was looked. So she asked her mom to take the whole trunk home. At home she sees the note her grandma left her and it pretty much says what Nora’s grandma left in pairs which was a scavenger hunt all around the city of Pairs. There was also envelopes with money in them for the places they will visit. So she knew that she had to convince her mom to go to Pairs and do all the stuff that her grandma left for them. So she tried to convince her mom of going and showed her the tickets, but her mom said no it was probably not a good idea since it would remind her of her mom and Nora of her grandma. Then a few days later she convinced her mom by showing her the antique dolls there was in pairs since her mom is obsessed with those dolls. Finally Nora’s mom said yes and they went with one condition taking Nora’s older brother even though Nora wanted to take her best friend instead with the extra ticket that was supposed to be for grandma. When they got there the next day Nora asked her mom if she can go on her own but she said no so she asked if Justin her older brother can go with her on her own. Then she said yes to that with one condition they stay together at all times. So they went on there own but in the metro they sat separate and that’s when Nora meet her new friend Phoebe and Justin meats Alice. Phoebe and Alice are sisters. Nora and her knew best friend go of on there own and Justin and Alice go of on there own. Nora and Phoebe go to the places where her grandma marked on the map and when they go to them they get the same answer every time. Which is the people won’t give Nora the gifts unless she is with her mom. So Nora tells her mom and first she says no but then changes her mind and they both go to get the gifts Nora’s grandma left them. When it was the last place to go before the fashion show the got a dress that matched with all the stuff they got. Then when it was time for the last day in pairs they went to the fashion show and got the key to the metal box Nora had found. Therefor at the end Nora and her mom went to a cafe in New York where they lived and opened the box. Inside was an old book Nora and her mother loved and a note that pretty much said she hopes they had fun and got closer together.
September 9, 2019
I originally read this book just for a reading night, however after just reading a couple of pages I got really into it. It might be advertised as a children's/teens book, but you can still connect to the book in some sort of way. Schroeder does an amazing job of portraying the main character's journey to and in Paris. I highly recommend!
June 3, 2018
This was a super adorable story about a daughter and her mother getting to know eachother better in Paris, through letters and a scavenger hunt created by the grandmother. It is a pretty sweet story that just leaves you feeling all fuzzy... and wanting to start a button colection.
January 5, 2018
I read this book a while ago- and absolutely LOVED It:)
October 6, 2018
it was the most amazing book of all time it is my new favourite book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 23, 2021
It was an amazing adventures book
May 7, 2020
This book was amazing it started out a little slow 🐌 but once it picked up It was really good I love the setting in Paris and with the Scavenger hunt it was so good
December 7, 2017
My Secret Guide To Paris
By:Abigail Hales
Lisa Schroder wrote an amazing book called My Secret Guide To Paris. This book is about a 12 year old girl named Nora. She and her Grandma have a very tight relationship with each other. She and her Grandma make a trip to Paris every year together. But a few days before it's their trip their grandma gets ran over by a car crossing the street. Nora is speechless. She loved her grandma. But soon it's time to clean her grandma's house. Her and her mother start cleaning out her bedroom first. Nora looks in the chest in front of her bed. She finds a letter for her saying she needs to go to Paris with her family ASAP. When she tells her mom, her mom doesn't want to go. Her mom did not have a very good relationship with her mom, because it was her step mom. She finally convinces her mom and brother to go on a short trip. Read this book to find out what adventure Nora's grandma has in store for them and why she wrote that letter.
I think the theme was Life always has something good in store after a tragedy. 1. Her Grandma dies but sends her to Paris, 2. her mom says no to go to Paris but soon says yes, and 3. Her family becomes closer together.
My opinion of this book is i loved it! it had adventures and surprises! and unexpected obstacles she had to weave her way out of. Plus it's based on Paris and that's where I've always wanted to go. It told me some stuff I did not expect would be in Paris. I loved this book and highly recommend it. If you love adventure and surprises this is the book for you!
By:Abigail Hales
Lisa Schroder wrote an amazing book called My Secret Guide To Paris. This book is about a 12 year old girl named Nora. She and her Grandma have a very tight relationship with each other. She and her Grandma make a trip to Paris every year together. But a few days before it's their trip their grandma gets ran over by a car crossing the street. Nora is speechless. She loved her grandma. But soon it's time to clean her grandma's house. Her and her mother start cleaning out her bedroom first. Nora looks in the chest in front of her bed. She finds a letter for her saying she needs to go to Paris with her family ASAP. When she tells her mom, her mom doesn't want to go. Her mom did not have a very good relationship with her mom, because it was her step mom. She finally convinces her mom and brother to go on a short trip. Read this book to find out what adventure Nora's grandma has in store for them and why she wrote that letter.
I think the theme was Life always has something good in store after a tragedy. 1. Her Grandma dies but sends her to Paris, 2. her mom says no to go to Paris but soon says yes, and 3. Her family becomes closer together.
My opinion of this book is i loved it! it had adventures and surprises! and unexpected obstacles she had to weave her way out of. Plus it's based on Paris and that's where I've always wanted to go. It told me some stuff I did not expect would be in Paris. I loved this book and highly recommend it. If you love adventure and surprises this is the book for you!
February 25, 2015
I absolutely love this book.
I've never been to Paris, and France has never been one of the countries I've most wanted to visit, but this book has changed that. Should I win the lottery, I am totally going to Paris and attempting to recreate the adventures that Nora has.
I love the relationship that Nora has with her grandma. Even though their relationship is told via flashbacks and conversations that Nora has with other people, it's obvious that they were very close and loved each other very much. (I mean, obviously, given the trouble that Sylvia went to in order to ensure that Nora's first trip to Paris would be absolutely perfect, the literal trip of a lifetime.)
Lisa Schroeder is an amazing author, one of my favorites, and this book didn't disappoint. Whether you're already a fan or are looking for a book to start with, this is the perfect book for you.
Highly recommended.
I've never been to Paris, and France has never been one of the countries I've most wanted to visit, but this book has changed that. Should I win the lottery, I am totally going to Paris and attempting to recreate the adventures that Nora has.
I love the relationship that Nora has with her grandma. Even though their relationship is told via flashbacks and conversations that Nora has with other people, it's obvious that they were very close and loved each other very much. (I mean, obviously, given the trouble that Sylvia went to in order to ensure that Nora's first trip to Paris would be absolutely perfect, the literal trip of a lifetime.)
Lisa Schroeder is an amazing author, one of my favorites, and this book didn't disappoint. Whether you're already a fan or are looking for a book to start with, this is the perfect book for you.
Highly recommended.
April 2, 2015
More YA (well, MG) travel—it's off to Paris for Nora, whose grandmother has spent the last twelve years (i.e., Nora's entire life) making sure she's obsessed with everything Parisian.
It ends up being one part light travel and one part mother-daughter drama—Nora isn't quite mature enough to try to see things from her mother's point of view, and they are, at least initially, looking for different things out of the trip. There's not a ton of depth to the book (although there is a mini-lesson tied into every secondary character's appearance, leading up to the conclusion/big lesson), and I wish the supporting cast had been developed further, but it's cute MG fluff. Nothing wrong with that.
It ends up being one part light travel and one part mother-daughter drama—Nora isn't quite mature enough to try to see things from her mother's point of view, and they are, at least initially, looking for different things out of the trip. There's not a ton of depth to the book (although there is a mini-lesson tied into every secondary character's appearance, leading up to the conclusion/big lesson), and I wish the supporting cast had been developed further, but it's cute MG fluff. Nothing wrong with that.
April 19, 2015
A gem! A vicarious trip to Paris! Clean read! Strong writing! A French lesson at the beginning of each chapter!
I loved it.
I dream of reading it aloud to my daughter when she's older. (She's just a wee babe now.) And...I dream of taking a trip to Paris with her when she's older, like Nora and her mother do in this book! As Grandma Sylvia said, "Right now, it's just a dream, but dreams come true every day. The secret is to make sure you always have at least one tucked into your pocket, so when it's your turn, you are ready!" (p.2)
I loved it.
I dream of reading it aloud to my daughter when she's older. (She's just a wee babe now.) And...I dream of taking a trip to Paris with her when she's older, like Nora and her mother do in this book! As Grandma Sylvia said, "Right now, it's just a dream, but dreams come true every day. The secret is to make sure you always have at least one tucked into your pocket, so when it's your turn, you are ready!" (p.2)
June 8, 2015
The cover of this made me concerned ("will this be a overly sweet book about a boy-crazy girl in a cool setting?"); thankfully, the cover, just like the cake, is a lie.
Madam saw this at the book fair, but I told her "no" based on the cover (too grown-up I was sure), but now that I've read it, I would gladly turn it over to her. No kissing! No boy craziness! Focus on family and love in a cool setting? Win all around!
Madam saw this at the book fair, but I told her "no" based on the cover (too grown-up I was sure), but now that I've read it, I would gladly turn it over to her. No kissing! No boy craziness! Focus on family and love in a cool setting? Win all around!
October 3, 2016
Second reading! I love this little book. It is precious. I am taking my granddaughter to Paris this summer. She'll be 11 years old. I had been wondering about what she would like to see, but now I have no worries. We will do most of the things Nora did, including a trip to Monet's home in Giverny. Nora and her mother discovered more than the beauty of the Paris that I also love. This is a touching book about courage and love.
May 15, 2015
This book is so wonderful. It's a story of a mother and daughter kindling a bond that will last a lifetime. You fall in love with the characters just as much as you fall in love with Paris! Highly recommend this sweet, short book.
June 20, 2016
I loved this! It was adorable and fun and also made me cry multiple times. More depth than I expected when I first picked it up. I would definitely read it again, especially when I get the desire to "travel" to Paris.
April 8, 2015
My daughter and I both read this book. We both really enjoyed the story, characters and setting. Lots of good life lessons in this book.
July 21, 2015
A cute, light read, but nothing remarkable or particularly memorable except the descriptions of the chocolate they ate in Paris.
November 14, 2015
It was a great book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews