Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Macmillan Children's Books (2010), Edition: Unabridged edition
Description
When Ludlow Fitch runs away from his thieving parents in the City, he meets up with the mysterious Joe Zabbidou, who calls himself a secret pawnbroker, and who takes Ludlow as an apprentice to record the confessions of the townspeople of Pagus Parvus, where resentments are many and trust is scarce.
Media reviews
Georgia
D2 Anthony Huynh
My Life Changes
“He had me in an iron grip, my arm wrenched up behind my back.” He has a miserable life. Ludlow knew his parents would hurt him. “He (pa) forced opened my mouth and ran a
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balanced, foul tasting finger around my gums.” They took out Ludlow’s front teeth, gonna sell Ludlow’s front teeth for a living, and they all monstrously chuckled right in front of Ludlow’s face. They put him in the chair and ran off to do some other stuff. When Pa came over, Ludlow angrily kicked Pa directly to his stomach. He got out of the chair and quickly ran off.
He couldn’t figure out where to go, so he decided to hide under the bridge over River Foedus. “I would have died there if it had not been for ma and pa. They saved me, though it was not their intention, when they delivered me, their only son, into the hands of Barton Gumboot.” After all the fact that my parents would hurt me, he has a misfortune of being born in the city. He can feel the agony going right into him.
He decided to leave the city and start a new life with Joe. Joe is the person who is a “secret pawnbroker” where he swaps secret for money, so he can give the money to the villagers, who are in desperate need of it. Ludlow finds out that Joe is not really that bad as his parents. Ludlow is going to write the secrets in the black book where his secrets appear.
Joe is asking Ludlow some questions about him. He is helping Ludlow out and tells Ludlow his opinions to that situation. He helps Ludlow with his sentences and supports him by taking care of him. Joe as you can see is now trained to do everything. His life is starting to get better.
What the author can improve on is to try to remove “A Note from the Author” before the story starts because in the second paragraph, it talks about Ludlow’s mistakes and that can ruin the whole book showing that Ludlow couldn’t write a perfect memoir. “The fragments and extracts are reproduced here exactly as they were written. I corrected Ludlow’s spelling - it really was quite dreadful - but I did no more than that.” In the book, we can already tell if there is a sentence fragment or not. And “What matters is the story the document tell.” Can you add a bit more detail into it? I believe that the first part is not that necessary.
The story is telling us about beginning a new life. Out of the sentences in the story that I read, I can picture it in my mind of how Ludlow is feeling and how Ludlow is taking it step by step to start a new life as he is meeting new people at the village. There is new people talking to him showing how they react to other people. Anyways, they are very poor and powerless. I feel like a nine year old and up can read this book because after reading the first chapter, it encourages the children to keep reading to find out how his life changes and how other characters feel about their lives.
After Ludlow moved away from his parents, everything can be changed.
The Black Book of Secrets
by: F.E. Higgins
266 pp. Copyright 2007 $14.95 (United States), $18.50 (Canada)
(ages nine to twelve)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Joles
Overall I was disappointed by this book. It had redeeming qualities but I wasn't happy about it. The story isn't the least interesting but it feels like a Dickens or Jane Austen novel with the lack of giant climax.
I was interested to read everyone's secrets. And I enjoyed the way chapters were set
The most interesting part of the book to me was the addendum giving a glimpse into the history of bodysnatching, meat pies and tooth extractors.
The book is an easy read, but I felt like I was forcing myself to get through it until close to the end where the climax really hit.
I wouldn't say don't waste your time on the book, but be ready to force-feed it to yourself.
I'm sure there will be a second book because of loose ends. (Although, the story could end here.)
I was interested to read everyone's secrets. And I enjoyed the way chapters were set
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up. Some are from the "memoirs of Ludlow Fitch" others are excerpts from the "Black Book of Secrets" while others are the authors cohesive thoughts tying the two works together.The most interesting part of the book to me was the addendum giving a glimpse into the history of bodysnatching, meat pies and tooth extractors.
The book is an easy read, but I felt like I was forcing myself to get through it until close to the end where the climax really hit.
I wouldn't say don't waste your time on the book, but be ready to force-feed it to yourself.
I'm sure there will be a second book because of loose ends. (Although, the story could end here.)
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LibraryThing member cjthom
This book had a very Dickensian feel to it. I liked the characters and the atmosphere, but it was a little bit predictable and lacked action.
LibraryThing member lefty33
**Spoiler Warning**
Ludlow Fitch escapes a wretched existence to begin an uncertain one. Ludlow happens upon Secret Pawnbroker Joe Zabbidou and begins to learn the trade -- pawning secrets.
Joe buys secrets from the burdened townspeople and as the secrets are told, Ludlow records them in the Black
I thought this was an original story. I liked the idea of haunting secrets being transferred into a book and haunting no more. Ludlow and Joe are fun characters to get to know and wondering how they would resolve their problems kept me interested throughout the book. The questions at the end regarding Joe's past and Ludlow's future made me hope for a sequel.
Ludlow Fitch escapes a wretched existence to begin an uncertain one. Ludlow happens upon Secret Pawnbroker Joe Zabbidou and begins to learn the trade -- pawning secrets.
Joe buys secrets from the burdened townspeople and as the secrets are told, Ludlow records them in the Black
Show More
Book. The small town, which had been run by a greedy landlord, is spared from one man's greed and multitudes of guilt.I thought this was an original story. I liked the idea of haunting secrets being transferred into a book and haunting no more. Ludlow and Joe are fun characters to get to know and wondering how they would resolve their problems kept me interested throughout the book. The questions at the end regarding Joe's past and Ludlow's future made me hope for a sequel.
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LibraryThing member yeonjaepx2014
Ludlow's parents make Ludlow suffer from painess so Ludlow run away from them. He meets a guy called Joe in his escape and lives with him. Suddenly, he heard that Joe killed someone. He knows that he it is in danger. What is Ludlow going to do now?
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
When his parents try to sell his teeth (fresh from his mouth) to get money for drink, Ludlow Fitch runs away from home. He finds himself in a town and comes into contact with Joe Zabbidou, a pawnbroker, not only of items but of secrets and the secrets he collects changes Pagus Parvus.
It's a fun,
It's a fun,
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quick read. While there were parts that seemed a bit rushed and unexplained the story kept me reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member SmithSJ01
This is a fast-paced compelling read. I enjoyed every aspect of this book and feel it is 4.5 stars out of 5. The other missing half is because I couldn’t visualise all of the characters – mainly Joe Zabbidou, which for me was a shame. Jeremiah Ratchett was my favourite character and was
If you have an imagination then this is the book for you, regardless of your age. It is primarily about intrigue, mystery and magic and with this crossover it doesn’t matter if one particular aspect of it is not your usual cup of tea. There’s something in it for all ages and both genders.
When Ludlow Fitch makes the hasty decision to leave his home town after suffering years of abuse from his parents, he doesn’t know where his path will take him. Luckily, it takes him to Joe Zabbidou and his black book of secrets. Joe takes Ludlow under his wing, although it isn’t until the end that we really know why.
Speaking of the ending, this is excellent and Higgins wrote this beautifully, the imagery was tremendous. I’d be more than happy to go on and read ‘The Bone Magician’ and also further instalments of Ludlow’s adventures.
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seemingly straight out of a Dickens’ novel. He was fantastic! Just the right amount of evil and inquisitiveness to keep younger readers engaged. If you have an imagination then this is the book for you, regardless of your age. It is primarily about intrigue, mystery and magic and with this crossover it doesn’t matter if one particular aspect of it is not your usual cup of tea. There’s something in it for all ages and both genders.
When Ludlow Fitch makes the hasty decision to leave his home town after suffering years of abuse from his parents, he doesn’t know where his path will take him. Luckily, it takes him to Joe Zabbidou and his black book of secrets. Joe takes Ludlow under his wing, although it isn’t until the end that we really know why.
Speaking of the ending, this is excellent and Higgins wrote this beautifully, the imagery was tremendous. I’d be more than happy to go on and read ‘The Bone Magician’ and also further instalments of Ludlow’s adventures.
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LibraryThing member audramelissa
Ludlow Fitch is running away from his past (and some tooth-thieving parents!). He finds himself in a remote village where he becomes the assistant to a mysterious pawnbroker, Joe Zabbidou. This pawnbroker specializes in people’s secrets and Ludlow is charged with transcribing them in the Black
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Book of Secrets. Lucky for Ludlow and Joe, this village is full of people with dark and dangerous secrets to pawn. For fans of historically-based fiction and notably that of late 1800s in England with its many gruesome details of teeth pulling (and selling) and grave robbing. Show Less
LibraryThing member Finleyup1
An excellent book about patience and human nature. This was my first read by F.E. Higgins and I enjoyed each page. The main plot was, at times, predictable until the ending. While not a knock out, the ending did stroke the imagination and made the book worth reading. I was impressed. The
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downside.....subplots were lacking, if non-existent. An additional sub-plot or two could have rocketed this book from good to awesome. Prose was excellent. Dialogue was unique yet understandable. For parents, there was some adult language mixed in as well, not unlike many of the young adult books today (ie. Percy Jackson, Harry Potter etc.) Show Less
LibraryThing member rata
I really liked this book as it had a very different storyline - a secret pawnbroker (good guy) and a very greedy man (evil guy)by the name of Jeremiah Ratchett. Joe Zabbidou is a secret pawnbroker, he buys peoples most innermost secrets, that continue to haunt them and once bought and told to Joe
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they feel a lot lighter. Joe takes in a waif by the name of Ludlow Fitch (his destiny)who assists him and eventually is groomed to take over where Joe left. I came across F E Higgins as an author by chance (his books have been greatly reduced at a warehouse sale) and like his style and genre of writing. I had bought The Bone Magician, liked it and was fortunate enough to buy The Black Book of Secrets and The Eyeball Collector (which i'm about to read). F E Higgins is worth buying and reading as they give you an insight into the poverty and life of Dickenson England and seem oh so real. Show Less
LibraryThing member 68papyrus
Loved this book! It's the perfect book to cozy up with on a chilly winter night. I highly recommend it for fans of Charles Dickens or Roald Dahl.
LibraryThing member EmmaBTate
A really good children's novel, some dark bits in places, but my kids loved it. A really atmospheric mystery story, and I am off to the library to borrow some more by this author!
LibraryThing member br14almo
This book The Black of Secrets is a boring book with an introduction that left me bored. The style of F.E. Higgins writing is odd and the hard cover was appealing. But not appealing enough, because the book has no motive to it. in conclusion I give this book an early said 3.5 unless your ready for
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a boring read that starts up slowly, this is not your book. Show Less
LibraryThing member JohnGrant1
This is one of those books that bedclothes and flashlights were invented for. Young pickpocket Ludlow Fitch escapes his frightful parents in the City and finds himself in the remote village of Pagus Parvus. There he's taken in as apprentice by another newcomer to the village, Joe Zabbidou (as in
I assume there's a paperback of this by now, but I haven't seen it. The hardback, though, is only $14.95, and I would say worth every penny. Not only is this a book you'll probably want to read again yourself, you're likely to find yourself forcing it on your friends. But that's not the only reason you might want to opt for the hardback. Whoever designed this (Susan Walsh for the book and Rich Deas for the cover, it says here) was obviously as nuts about the novel as I am, because everything about the production looks, feels and even smells appropriate for what's essentially a modern rendering of those books that have had generations of kids reading them obsessively and clandestinely. My only quibble with The Black Book of Secrets is that Higgins seems to be setting herself up at the end for a sequel or even a series, and this is a book that should be left to stand alone as the wonderful creation it is; any sequel can only, by its very existence, detract.
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"Zabbi Zabbi Dou!" this erstwhile Flintstones fan kept thinking), who's a pawnbroker of secrets -- that is, people tell him their deepest secrets while Ludlow records them in Joe's mysterious black book, and then Joe pays them. At first Ludlow naturally thinks the purpose is blackmail, but that isn't it at all . . .I assume there's a paperback of this by now, but I haven't seen it. The hardback, though, is only $14.95, and I would say worth every penny. Not only is this a book you'll probably want to read again yourself, you're likely to find yourself forcing it on your friends. But that's not the only reason you might want to opt for the hardback. Whoever designed this (Susan Walsh for the book and Rich Deas for the cover, it says here) was obviously as nuts about the novel as I am, because everything about the production looks, feels and even smells appropriate for what's essentially a modern rendering of those books that have had generations of kids reading them obsessively and clandestinely. My only quibble with The Black Book of Secrets is that Higgins seems to be setting herself up at the end for a sequel or even a series, and this is a book that should be left to stand alone as the wonderful creation it is; any sequel can only, by its very existence, detract.
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LibraryThing member Merryann
It had been a very long time since I'd been surprised by a book. Let's face it, plots can grow predictable, and this is not a bad thing; as a reader I most certainly do look for 'B' to follow 'A'. When I started The Black Book of Secrets I expected a decent story. I got that...and then I got more.
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Soon, I was lost in the book, having no idea what was going to come next, and loving every minute of it, right through the final page. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member avanders
Ludlow Fitch, a young boy (somewhere around 11-14) lives a hard life in the City, where his parents have taught him to pick-pocket for his and their livelihoods. When his parents and the dentist, Barton Gumbroot, try to pull his teeth out, one by one, for a small profit to his parents, Ludlow
There, he meets local tyrant Jeremiah Ratchet and the new secret pawnbroker, Joe Zabbidou. Zabbidou takes on Ludlow as his assistant and Ludlow begins to learn what a secret pawnbroker really does, why, and how the people of the world are impacted by it.
Zabbidou and his Black Book of Secrets, of which Ludlow becomes secretary and keeper, infuriate Ratchet, who sees his power slipping from him in an intolerable manner. Ratchet and his efforts to undermine and undo all the work that Zabbidou has done with his secret pawnbroking ultimately culminate in a town-wide confrontation, from which all the involved players will learn something.
Higgins creates a fast-paced, interesting, original, and fun tale. The story is subtly dark and subtly fantastic. This would be a great book (reading level) for older elementary school kids and younger middle schoolers. Of course Higgins' story can appeal to all levels, and I quite enjoyed my read!
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escapes his parents and the City and finds himself in the small town of Pagus Parvus.There, he meets local tyrant Jeremiah Ratchet and the new secret pawnbroker, Joe Zabbidou. Zabbidou takes on Ludlow as his assistant and Ludlow begins to learn what a secret pawnbroker really does, why, and how the people of the world are impacted by it.
Zabbidou and his Black Book of Secrets, of which Ludlow becomes secretary and keeper, infuriate Ratchet, who sees his power slipping from him in an intolerable manner. Ratchet and his efforts to undermine and undo all the work that Zabbidou has done with his secret pawnbroking ultimately culminate in a town-wide confrontation, from which all the involved players will learn something.
Higgins creates a fast-paced, interesting, original, and fun tale. The story is subtly dark and subtly fantastic. This would be a great book (reading level) for older elementary school kids and younger middle schoolers. Of course Higgins' story can appeal to all levels, and I quite enjoyed my read!
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
Ludlow runs away from his parents in the city when they try to pull his teeth out so they can have more gin money. He immediately hops on the back of a carriage and ends up in small mountain village where things are very wrong. The local lord has everyone in debt to him and he is using that debt to
Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
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perform illegal activities. Ludlow ends up working for Joe Zabidou a pawn broker who also deals in secrets. Ludlow wants to trust Joe but he also feels like should do something about the land lord but he wants it to be legal. Ludlow is torn but it quickly becomes clear that the town can't take much more.Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
Ludlow runs away from his parents in the city when they try to pull his teeth out so they can have more gin money. He immediately hops on the back of a carriage and ends up in small mountain village where things are very wrong. The local lord has everyone in debt to him and he is using that debt to
Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
Show More
perform illegal activities. Ludlow ends up working for Joe Zabidou a pawn broker who also deals in secrets. Ludlow wants to trust Joe but he also feels like should do something about the land lord but he wants it to be legal. Ludlow is torn but it quickly becomes clear that the town can't take much more.Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
Ludlow runs away from his parents in the city when they try to pull his teeth out so they can have more gin money. He immediately hops on the back of a carriage and ends up in small mountain village where things are very wrong. The local lord has everyone in debt to him and he is using that debt to
Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
Show More
perform illegal activities. Ludlow ends up working for Joe Zabidou a pawn broker who also deals in secrets. Ludlow wants to trust Joe but he also feels like should do something about the land lord but he wants it to be legal. Ludlow is torn but it quickly becomes clear that the town can't take much more.Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
Ludlow runs away from his parents in the city when they try to pull his teeth out so they can have more gin money. He immediately hops on the back of a carriage and ends up in small mountain village where things are very wrong. The local lord has everyone in debt to him and he is using that debt to
Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
Show More
perform illegal activities. Ludlow ends up working for Joe Zabidou a pawn broker who also deals in secrets. Ludlow wants to trust Joe but he also feels like should do something about the land lord but he wants it to be legal. Ludlow is torn but it quickly becomes clear that the town can't take much more.Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member Arkrayder
Joe Zabbidou is a secret pawnbroker, who pays for people’s secrets and records them in a black book. Hence the title. Ludlow Fitch is a pickpocket who escapes from his parents as they prepare to sell his teeth to keep them in gin. Pagus Parvus a small desolate mountain village is where these two
The story never dawdles as Zabbidou collects the town's catalog of unhappiness, while his own secret intentions are an enigma to everyone even Ludlow Fitch who he has befriended and taken under his wing.
The author uses the device of claiming to have found extracts of Joe's book and Ludlow's memoirs, bridging the gaps with her imagination. The images used are deep-rooted imagery (rat pies, people buried alive) and contrasts of light and dark to illuminate the loneliness of wealth and despair. The story has a share of suspense and the intriguing idea that fear of our own actions is our greatest enemy.
The ending leaves an opening for future volumes. This book is a smart, curiously thrilling tale, which for all the grisly details, gets at themes about self-determination and trust. Original and engrossing, The Black Book Of Secrets is a compelling read.
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characters meet and so unfolds a tale that has echoes of Dickens in its atmosphere, dark landscape, gravediggers, street urchins, and a fiendish landlord.The story never dawdles as Zabbidou collects the town's catalog of unhappiness, while his own secret intentions are an enigma to everyone even Ludlow Fitch who he has befriended and taken under his wing.
The author uses the device of claiming to have found extracts of Joe's book and Ludlow's memoirs, bridging the gaps with her imagination. The images used are deep-rooted imagery (rat pies, people buried alive) and contrasts of light and dark to illuminate the loneliness of wealth and despair. The story has a share of suspense and the intriguing idea that fear of our own actions is our greatest enemy.
The ending leaves an opening for future volumes. This book is a smart, curiously thrilling tale, which for all the grisly details, gets at themes about self-determination and trust. Original and engrossing, The Black Book Of Secrets is a compelling read.
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LibraryThing member Jadedog13
This is a magical story about a young boy, Ludlow Fitch who leaves his rotten parents and meets up with Joe Zabbidou, a secret pawnbroker. Joe is opening his pawnshop in a poor town that is controlled by an evil man who delights in kicking people out of their homes. Joe can't solve their problems,
The story is charming but has a few important twists that young people might miss. Without them, the story is a bit confusing.
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or the problems of Ludlow, but he encourages people to be patient and good things will come...The story is charming but has a few important twists that young people might miss. Without them, the story is a bit confusing.
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LibraryThing member Inky_Fingers
Couldn't really keep me reading.
LibraryThing member emhromp2
This was a very very very pleasant surprise. I didn't stop reading until I'd finished the book. It is very unpredictable, very lovingly written, I liked the characters, in short, I liked everything about the book! It's 'Gothic Fun' and I would DEFINITELY recommend it to anyone.
LibraryThing member avanders
Ludlow Fitch, a young boy (somewhere around 11-14) lives a hard life in the City, where his parents have taught him to pick-pocket for his and their livelihoods. When his parents and the dentist, Barton Gumbroot, try to pull his teeth out, one by one, for a small profit to his parents, Ludlow
There, he meets local tyrant Jeremiah Ratchet and the new secret pawnbroker, Joe Zabbidou. Zabbidou takes on Ludlow as his assistant and Ludlow begins to learn what a secret pawnbroker really does, why, and how the people of the world are impacted by it.
Zabbidou and his Black Book of Secrets, of which Ludlow becomes secretary and keeper, infuriate Ratchet, who sees his power slipping from him in an intolerable manner. Ratchet and his efforts to undermine and undo all the work that Zabbidou has done with his secret pawnbroking ultimately culminate in a town-wide confrontation, from which all the involved players will learn something.
Higgins creates a fast-paced, interesting, original, and fun tale. The story is subtly dark and subtly fantastic. This would be a great book (reading level) for older elementary school kids and younger middle schoolers. Of course Higgins' story can appeal to all levels, and I quite enjoyed my read!
Show More
escapes his parents and the City and finds himself in the small town of Pagus Parvus.There, he meets local tyrant Jeremiah Ratchet and the new secret pawnbroker, Joe Zabbidou. Zabbidou takes on Ludlow as his assistant and Ludlow begins to learn what a secret pawnbroker really does, why, and how the people of the world are impacted by it.
Zabbidou and his Black Book of Secrets, of which Ludlow becomes secretary and keeper, infuriate Ratchet, who sees his power slipping from him in an intolerable manner. Ratchet and his efforts to undermine and undo all the work that Zabbidou has done with his secret pawnbroking ultimately culminate in a town-wide confrontation, from which all the involved players will learn something.
Higgins creates a fast-paced, interesting, original, and fun tale. The story is subtly dark and subtly fantastic. This would be a great book (reading level) for older elementary school kids and younger middle schoolers. Of course Higgins' story can appeal to all levels, and I quite enjoyed my read!
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Great Stone Face Book Award (Nominee — 2009)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 2011)
Concorde Book Award (Shortlist — 2009)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
5.12 inches
ISBN
0330516817 / 9780330516815
Similar in this library
DDC/MDS
| 823.92 |