Stanley's Secret

by John Sullivan (Author) Zach Manbeck (Illustrator)

Stanley's Secret
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

The award-winning author of Kitten and the Night Watchman is back with an inspiring and poignant picture book about a boy learning the self-confidence to fulfill his dream of dancing in front of his peers.

The only audience shy, quiet Stanley dances in front of is his pet mice, Squeaker and Nibbles. He also practices when he's alone in empty classrooms or the gym when he helps the janitor after school, tap dancing shuffle, tippy-tap, tippy-tap. "Talent should be shared," encourages Principal Reynolds. Can Stanley find the courage to perform in the school talent show?

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Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

A vibrant story that encourages readers to follow their passions—and share them with the world.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

"Stanley was a quiet boy. When he attended birthday parties, he hid in the corner and read. When he gave a book report, he spoke softly." Quiet or not, Stanley dreams of tap-dancing on a big stage. But he doesn't tell anyone except his pet mice, Squeaker and Nibbles, and he dances only after hours in his school's empty rooms, while helping the janitor. Prose by Sullivan (Kitten and the Night Watchman) quickly establishes Stanley's private way ("At lunch, Stanley quietly ate his sandwich with mayonnaise, even though he'd said, 'no toppings, please' "), while juxtaposing artwork by Manbeck (You Are Here) sizzles with energetically charged lines and chalky, saturated shades, portraying Stanley in vibrant orange hues. In a satisfying twist, a visit to the principal's office results in support, and a suggestion to sign up for the talent show: "Talent should be shared," the principal says. The text pays careful attention to the way Stanley addresses his nervousness ("With the talent show quickly approaching, Stanley mustered the courage to dance for a classmate") as he moves into his dream with grace. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



John Sullivan
John Sullivan received the Ezra Jack Keats Award and Margaret Wise Brown Prize for his debut picture book Kitten and the Night Watchman, also named a best book of the year by The Boston Globe, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and BookPage. He is also the author of Ethan and the Strays and Stanley's Secret. John is a cat lover and tap dancer who formerly worked as a night watchman. He lives in Chicago. Visit John at JohnSullivanKidBooks.com.

Zach Manbeck is an author and illustrator living in Pennsylvania. As an artist, his work is described as modern vintage--nostalgic, yet fresh. As a creator, Zach aims to tell stories from new perspectives: stories that advocate for characters that haven't yet had a chance to live in books. Learn more at ZachManbeck.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534487833
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date
January 24, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV031020 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Dance
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Library of Congress categories
Self-confidence
Bashfulness
Tap dancing

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