The Name of this Book is Secret

Pseudonymous Bosch
Little, Brown Young Readers (2007)
ISBN 9780316113663
Reviewed by Maya Landers (age 9) for Reader Views (12/07)

“The Name of this Book is Secret,” by Pseudonymous Bosch, is funny and quick-witted.  This book is written in a style that I have never seen before. In making it seem as though you should not read the book, you are made even more interested, and so you keep reading. Although it seems kind of obvious that Bosch is trying to get you to read the book, after the first few pages it seems more like any other book. For example, on the first page, in bold letters, you are warned:  “DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS PAGE!” The book begins by saying: “Good. Now I know I can trust you. You’re curious.  You’re brave. And you’re not afraid to lead a life of crime.”

The author, the supposed “Pseudonymous Bosch,” has written about a great secret, and no one can know any details. Indeed, the first chapter is nothing but XXX’s (Literally! Here’s a quote: “XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXX!!!”). Apparently, that chapter would tell the reader the names, ages and whereabouts of the main characters, Cass and Max-Ernest. Instead of setting Cass and Max-Ernest down in their actual town, or even letting the characters keep their own names, Bosch advises the reader to think of their town as “Your Hometown,” to think of the school as “Your School,” and, if you did not like the names given to the characters, to simply change them to any names you like.  However, as the story progresses, the town begins to develop a definite outline and you learn more about the characters. For instance, Cass is a survivalist who will never go anywhere without her backpack, and Max-Ernest loves to tell jokes which, unfortunately, no one appreciates.  Also, you find out why Max-Ernest must be called Max-Ernest, and the hilarious escapades which attach themselves to that rather odd name.

Bosch writes a brief description of each of the characters and their backgrounds “not enough for you to know anything important, such as their real names or ages, mind you, just enough so that you can get an idea of who they are.” Although most of the time the book is funny and exciting, there are other times where interesting points are added not just for humor’s sake. An example of this would be: “Cass put the book in her backpack, mulling over what she had read. Why did so many grown-ups want to be young, she wondered, when it took so long to become old? It was like going on a million mile road trip then wanting to turn around without getting out of the car.”

Even the chapter names are different and funny; chapter thirteen was crossed out to be replaced with fourteen, and at the bottom of the page there was a footnote saying “Of course, I don’t really believe that the number 13 is bad luck, but under the circumstances, why not play it safe?” The entire book is filled with these funny little side notes, greatly adding to the content of the story.

I would recommend this book to my friends because the settings are unique (despite the author’s obvious attempts to keep it ordinary), and the characters are interesting and well developed. I thought that “The Name of this Book is Secret” was a very good book and an entertaining read.

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