Family Secrets
Julie can’t wait to celebrate her Sweet 16th birthday—until a family trip to Bretagne, France, suddenly spoils her plans. Julie couldn’t care less about France, but will she find something there that makes her want to stay? What secrets will be revealed an ocean away?
This Level 1 reader features full audio for every chapter, accessible via QR codes. Simply scan the QR codes with a smartphone or tablet using any free QR code reader. Laptop users access audio via included web addresses. Also, your purchase includes a FREE download with comprehension questions and answer keys.
Level 1
Unique Words: 351
Total Words: 8,216
Tense(s): présent, passé composé, impératif, futur proche
Glossary: yes
Listen to the complete chapter 2 audio recording from the reader, located in "Additional Info."
Reader: ©2020. French. Level 1. High school. 5 x 7 inches. Softcover, 96 pages.
About the Author
Patricia A. Verano is an English and Spanish teacher in Buenos Aires. Together with Pablo Ortega López, she is co-author of the novelita En busca del monstruo (2013). She is also co-author of the novelita Pobre Ana bailó tango (2007) with Verónica Moscoso and Blaine Ray, and is the author of Amigos detectives. She composed the songs on the albums Canciones de Pobre Ana, Canciones de Patricia va a California, Casi se muere, El viaje de su vida, and ¡Viva el toro!, which are based on novelitas. She also sings some of the songs, and provides the voice for the audiobook Patricia va a California.
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Somewhat hard to follow
Apr 9, 2022 | By Zoe
I found this reader hard to follow. From the first chapter sentences and paragraphs felt strangely ordered. New information is introduced in ways that are confusing and sudden. The book is written with simple limited vocabulary and has a good glossary, images, etc. but unfortunately it is very awkward compared to other level 1 comprehensible readers I have in my library and had me constantly jumping back to reread sentences, clarify my understanding, check which characters were who, etc. There is a good premise to this book it just needs to be edited for ease of reading.
Word salad, but still comprehensible
Jun 22, 2022 | By Madame H
I really like the plot and setting of this story set in Bretagne, and I have been able to do some nice cultural tie-ins with the region. However, as the other reviewer mentioned, the sentences are really choppy and full of non-sequiturs. In an early chapter, Michel's dad is named Jacques, but in the later chapters, he is named Stephan. OK, he's a minor character and, yes, I'm being really nitpicky, but this book feels like it wasn't beta read. Having said that, it's not a total deal-breaker. I originally bought 25 copies and the students like the intrigue and characters, so I am actually buying a few more copies for a bigger class next year. I bought Les Secrets de Famille to replace Pauvre Anne, which needed updating, and I do think this is an improvement. Having the audio is good.
