I did enjoy this book and the relationship between Claire and Morgan. I have enjoyed other John David Anderson books, but this one fell a little short for me. While realistic, I was disappointed in the ending of the story. I wanted there to be more resolution.

As has been made clear with so many of his previous books, John David Anderson is a master of writing books about serious topics that have all the feels without being unbearably sad. Here, we're looking at a family that's been falling apart, even as our narrator Morgan tries to pull it back together again. Claire read to Morgan when he was a child, tucked him into bed, taught him how to walk to school, to draw comics, and to do flips on the trampoline, and explained the rules of their Sibling Code. Now Morgan is in middle school and Claire a senior in high school, and her increasingly upsetting arguments with their mother, are tearing apart everything that kept the family together. (As a parent myself, I found myself really wanting to recommend some coaching for the family - Sanity School for the mother, probably dialectical behavior therapy for all - but this is a novel and not a parenting book, so I will concede the point.)
Flashbacks tell the story of the first time Claire took the two of them on a secret adventure of their own, as Morgan and Claire go out for a day of adventure with what turns out to be very different goals. The adventures - shown in snapshots on the cover - are fun and wild, illuminating both their strong sibling bond while contrasting Claire's over-the-top whimsy and desire to experience it all against Morgan's caution. Both of them find themselves exploring the limits of the Code and sharing secrets they'd kept from each other despite it - the reasons for Claire's running away; the pressure Morgan feels trying to bring the family together. I was rooting for both of them, my heart aching early on knowing that Morgan's dreams couldn't come true. The ending is bittersweet, leaving both Morgan and Claire wiser and still with room for future growth. Recommended for readers who want to smile while having their heartstrings tugged at.

I enjoyed Keep it Like a Secret. the characters were believable, and I could feel the frustration from the siblings, especially Mouse. I figured out early on what Cat's secret is, but am unsure that age-intended readers would. The history between the siblings felt believable. Part of me did go through reading the book expecting some deeper secret as to why Cat was fighting with her parents as much as she was, but the results did feel believable as well. I like where the story ended as well.

Morgan and Claire have always been close, but as Claire moves closer to her high school graduation, it's becoming clear to Morgan that something needs to change. The story bounces around in time and has big themes of family, love, siblings, as well as independence and finding your own path. This is a wonderful story and I think kids are going to love it.

I am torn on this one. This is certainly well written, and I liked how things are woven together . However, it was also kind of a slow moving story with not enough going on to satisfy many readers. Might work better as a book club or read aloud.

As someone who did NOT grow up with siblings, but has two kiddos, this was very eye opening in how important those relationships truly are. I have always assumed just because my husband has a sister and I see how strong their bond is. With kids though, giving them that time to build that relationship is so important, and we saw that with Morgan and Claire.
This story is definite Ms. Bixby's Last Day vibes if you know what I'm saying.. the emotion was heavy and relatable. The hardest part would be justifying Claire's behavior, but those of us who have been teenagers, most of us know what it is to rebel. Claire's character arc is a great study in the classroom to truly analyze the depth of her emotions, but also how Morgan, being 12, reacts.
Overall, it would be a great addition to any middle grade classroom, even a book study to dive in to Morgan and Claire and even their mother's behavior, how the setting affects their behaviors, and the overall plot development.
Bring some tissues. Anderson always knows how to get in your feelings and write for kids.

This is a good middle grade book about loving your family through it all. Claire & Morgan, sister and brother were once the best of friends. Now Claire spends more time away from the house and Morgan is trying to figure out how to be in the world without his sister to guide him.
I liked the past story we got of them together. And I loved that they loved to draw together. And had created comic books together.
This is a very real story of figuring out who you are and where you are headed.
Claire is struggling with what to do after high school and Morgan (Mouse) is just trying to figure out where he fits in the world. Especially if his sister leaves and isn't there to catch him.
There is a lot of family drama involved in this book, but it makes you hope for more for this family.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Loved this book about the closeness that Morgan and his older sister, Claire, share. Claire and mom have issues and when Claire leaves for a few days she comes to pick up Morgan, and they have a fun day together. Claire shows him places special to her. They talk about how they have each other ‘s back and how they take care of each other. At the end of their special day, Claire shares news that will change things between the two of them.

Keep It Like a Secret is about a boy named Morgan and his relationship with his older sister, Claire. Although they have a significant age gap they have always been close. Lately Claire has been fighting with their mom a lot and Morgan feels caught in the middle. When Claire coerces Morgan to take a impromptu sibling day with her their bond and the way it has changed and stayed the same is explored. A compelling family story.