Searching for Pearly and Other Secrets

Reviewer's Bookwatch, May, 2005 by S. Daniel Smith

Searching for Pearly and Other Secrets

Donna Lessard

PublishAmerica

P.O. Box 151 Frederick, MD 21705

1-(301) 695-1707

ISBN 1413745768 $11.95 85 pages

I immediately fell in love with the characters of Searching for Pearly and Other Secrets, by Donna Lessard. When I met little Sarah, who was searching for her lost doll, I quickly became fascinated at the story behind her life. Unlike so many horror stories that seek to scare their audience, Ms. Lessard has actually told a story in the pages of her book that even an adult could enjoy, despite the intended age of the audience. Written for 12 year olds, Donna has created a story of intrigue that runs the entire length of the story.

Searching for Pearly and Other Secrets has my highest recommendation. I believe that young teens will find it an interesting story and adults will enjoy the fact that Lessard doesn't tinker with fright, gore, or any other Hollywood effect to get her audience into the story. Instead, she actually develops a plot that will keep the attention of any reader.

Watching Tamara, the main character, juggle her new responsibility to Sarah while managing her friends and her position in her own family (a separate plot line altogether) is an enjoyable experience. It's almost like stepping back in time to the Hardy Boys or to Nancy Drew and watching an actual story unfold. It's been a long time coming, and Donna Lessard delivers. She is a very good story teller.