The Cassette Tape Secret

by

Danielle Herzog

Wonderful middle-grade tale of friendship and facing one's fears.

The Cassette Tape Secret by Danielle Herzog is a wonderful middle-grade novel about friendship, stepping out of one's comfort zone, and facing one's fears. Eleven-year-old Alex Bennett struggles with OCD and severe anxiety after the school bully viciously shamed him in front of the entire class about some of his compulsive but harmless behaviors. New classmate Ida May Brooks is his exact opposite—bold and sassy—but has her own secret heartaches to bear. When she finds an old cassette tape with a mysterious, pleading message for help, she begs Alex to work with her to uncover the story behind the forgotten recording. Alex wants no involvement in her scheme, but his therapist sweetens the deal with tickets to meet a famous social media influencer he admires. If he stretches outside his comfort zone and helps his classmate, he signs on as Ida May's sidekick and faces many of his basic fears in the process. 

Alex is a warm, engaging, completely sympathetic bundle of anxiety, with a long, rigid list of things he avoids at all costs. It is heart-wrenching to observe his struggles, but also so uplifting as he finally tackles one challenge after another head-on. I love how he had learned to cook as an accommodation to his aversion to eating out (and having PEOPLE touch his food) and his eye-opening realization that he'd isolated himself even from those he loved, like his own grandmother. He proves himself to be quite witty as he and Ida May spend more time together. 

Ida May is sassy and smart-mouthed, and her banter with her new friend, Alex, is full of humor, wit, and compassion far beyond her years. It was tough to watch her reactions to her mother's continued absence and to her mother's slow disengagement from her daughter. 

The plot is full of action as the two deal with their mutual bully, Darren Roe, in their own ways, then team up to search for a hidden treasure and uncover the mystery behind it. It was riveting as they inch closer and closer to the answers they sought, while Alex made significant breakthroughs in his coping with his issues, with brave determination and dignity, until he can share his truths with his new friend. 

I recommend THE CASSETTE TAPE SECRET to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those who enjoy stories of courage, determination, friendship, and healing.

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