The Secrets We Keep — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
Not found
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
In the vein of The Way I Used to Be and Kelly Loy Gilbert’s Conviction, this “exceedingly well-written, powerful, and suspenseful” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) young adult novel follows a girl’s struggle to reconcile friendship, sexual abuse, and the secrets we bury deep down inside to survive.
High school freshman Emma Clark harbors a secret—a secret so vile it could implode her whole world, a secret she’s managed to keep buried…until the day her best friend, Hannah, accuses Emma’s father of a heinous crime.
Following her father’s arrest and torn between loyalty to Hannah and to her family, Emma is devastated to learn she must testify against Hannah’s word in order to keep her family together. As Emma wrestles with this impossible decision, her fractured past begins to resurface piece by painful piece—causing the line to blur between her present-day reality and the dark fairy tales she writes to survive, all of which threaten to expose Emma’s long-buried truths.
The Secrets We Keep explores the complex, powerful bonds of friendship and family, asking the difficult question: At what point does Emma’s loyalty to another become a betrayal of herself? And perhaps the toughest question of all: Can Emma find the strength to finally unbury her secret?
Frequently asked questions
Is The Secrets We Keep appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses themes of sexual violence, including the abuse of Emma's best friend by her father, which is a central plot element. It also includes mentions of verbal and emotional abuse, as well as physical neglect. The themes of sexual violence and trauma create a tense and potentially frightening atmosphere for readers, particularly as they relate to the protagonist's experiences.
Does The Secrets We Keep have violence?
The book addresses themes of sexual violence, including the abuse of Emma's best friend by her father, which is a central plot element. It also includes mentions of verbal and emotional abuse, as well as physical neglect.
Does The Secrets We Keep have scary content?
The themes of sexual violence and trauma create a tense and potentially frightening atmosphere for readers, particularly as they relate to the protagonist's experiences.
Does The Secrets We Keep have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.
Does The Secrets We Keep have racial/cultural content?
No explicit discussions of race or racism are present in the narrative based on the search results.
Does The Secrets We Keep have profanity?
The book contains strong language, with 37 instances of swearing noted, though no f-bombs are included. This level of profanity is indicated as part of the narrative's realism.
Does The Secrets We Keep have climate change?
No climate-related themes or discussions detected in the book's narrative based on the search results.
Does The Secrets We Keep have sexual identity?
The story involves sexual abuse as a critical theme, detailing the impact of such trauma on the protagonist. It does not shy away from discussing the implications of these experiences.
Does The Secrets We Keep have gender roles?
The book does not explicitly address traditional or modern gender roles; instead, it focuses on personal trauma and identity.
Does The Secrets We Keep have lgbtq+ themes?
The narrative includes themes of queerness, as the main character, Emma, grapples with her identity and fears being judged for her sexual orientation. This aspect is integral to her character development and the story's emotional depth.
