''Secret Heart'' is a 2001 story by

David Almond David Almond (born 15 May 1951) is a British author who has written many novels for children and young adults from 1998, each one receiving critical acclaim. He is one of thirty children's writers, and one of three from the UK, to win the bienn ...

. It is about a boy, Joe, and his involvement with a circus.

Reception

A ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is av ...

'' starred review of ''Secret Heart'' wrote "With echoes of Ray Bradbury and William Blake, Secret Heart is filled with scenes of breathtaking beauty, wonder, and astonishment. It is an unforgettable achievement." while ''

the Horn Book ''The Horn Book Magazine'', founded in Boston in 1924, is the oldest bimonthly magazine dedicated to reviewing children's literature. It began as a "suggestive purchase list" prepared by Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field, proprietres ...

'' wrote "Almond's undeniable gifts unfortunately run away with him in this overwrought, self-indulgent story". The ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

'' found "Though not as mysterious as his other titles, this book has thought-provoking allegory that will engage older readers in more and more layers of meaning."; and '' VOYA'' called it "a very different coming-of-age story." ''Secret Heart'' has also been reviewed by ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'', and ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Secret Heart 2001 children's books British children's novels 2001 British novels Children's books set in circuses Hodder & Stoughton books