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The Secret Code
This book introduces Braille to young readers through the characters Oscar and Lucy. Oscar is blind, and during reading time in class, Lucy notices that his book is different from hers. It is filled with bumps that Oscar can read with his fingers. He teaches Lucy, and by the end, they can read Braille together.
Oscar, who is blind, teaches Lucy how to read his Braille book.
Book Details:
ebook
First published January 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Dana Meachen Rau
479 books29 followersDana Meachen Rau is an author, editor, and illustrator of children's books. She has written more than 100 books for children, many of them nonfiction in subjects including astronomy, history, and geography, as well as numerous biographies. She lives in Burlington, Connecticut, with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 30, 2020
Albeit that with Dana Meachen Rau's exceedingly simple narrative, The Secret Code actually does not really feature all that much of a story or plot, for younger children reading on their own (or perhaps just learning to read), The Secret Code does indeed and in my opinion provide a solid, engaging and easily understood introduction to braille. And yes, I do for a fact very much appreciate that while Oscar is blind, he is not presented (and equally also does not ever present himself) as being all that much different from the rest of his classmates. For really, the only difference in The Secret Code is that Oscar reads his books in braille (using his hands instead of his eyes) since other than that, he truly is just like everyone else. Thus while the author of course demonstrates in The Secret Code that blind children do read differently from sighted children, Dana Meachen Rau also clearly shows that this "difference" is truly only skin-deep, that first and foremost, Oscar is just a typical school-aged child, with many friends, and with personal likes and dislikes.
Now I generally really do very much like the basic set-up of The Secret Code and also feel that precisely the book’s set-up is what makes it so successful or at least so potentially successful and useful for young children just starting to read, as The Secret Code is a small and lightweight book, but more importantly, the font, the printed letters, they are large and bold, making independent reading much easier than with smaller and less easily visualised fonts and font sizes. And while the featured narrative is perhaps a bit too simple and unimaginative for older children and adults, for young children just attempting to read on their own, it is indeed and in my opinion perfect, short, concise and very simply presented. And yes, the only aspect I have unfortunately found somewhat if not majorly wanting with regard to The Secret Code is the fact that while the braille alphabet is shown and there are more than a few examples of words written in braille, these are sadly and frustratingly also not shown using the raised dots of braille (and I really do believe that it would have been much better and more educational for the braille examples to have also been raised, so that children reading The Secret Code would be able to both see and feel braille).
Finally, regarding Bari Weissman's illustrations, they do present themselves as being totally fun and bright. And although I would not call them spectacular, they certainly do very much suit and complement Dana Meachen Rau’s text and would likely also be a hit with the target audience. And I really do oh so much appreciate the fact that the illustrations are multicultural, that Oscar's class does not only have Caucasian students, but Asian-American and African-American students as well. Both the illustrations and the narrative of The Secret Code show an inclusive and accepting classroom atmosphere where everyone accepts one another, and where everyone is also keen on and excited about letting Oscar demonstrate his "secret code" to the class, perhaps a bit of wishful thinking, but why not, why indeed not.
Now I generally really do very much like the basic set-up of The Secret Code and also feel that precisely the book’s set-up is what makes it so successful or at least so potentially successful and useful for young children just starting to read, as The Secret Code is a small and lightweight book, but more importantly, the font, the printed letters, they are large and bold, making independent reading much easier than with smaller and less easily visualised fonts and font sizes. And while the featured narrative is perhaps a bit too simple and unimaginative for older children and adults, for young children just attempting to read on their own, it is indeed and in my opinion perfect, short, concise and very simply presented. And yes, the only aspect I have unfortunately found somewhat if not majorly wanting with regard to The Secret Code is the fact that while the braille alphabet is shown and there are more than a few examples of words written in braille, these are sadly and frustratingly also not shown using the raised dots of braille (and I really do believe that it would have been much better and more educational for the braille examples to have also been raised, so that children reading The Secret Code would be able to both see and feel braille).
Finally, regarding Bari Weissman's illustrations, they do present themselves as being totally fun and bright. And although I would not call them spectacular, they certainly do very much suit and complement Dana Meachen Rau’s text and would likely also be a hit with the target audience. And I really do oh so much appreciate the fact that the illustrations are multicultural, that Oscar's class does not only have Caucasian students, but Asian-American and African-American students as well. Both the illustrations and the narrative of The Secret Code show an inclusive and accepting classroom atmosphere where everyone accepts one another, and where everyone is also keen on and excited about letting Oscar demonstrate his "secret code" to the class, perhaps a bit of wishful thinking, but why not, why indeed not.
May 20, 2011
What I loved most about this book is that the Braille alphabet is shown. What I liked least about this book is that the alphabet is just shown; I’d have loved it raised as well, as Braille, so that it could be felt too.
This is a small book, and that will make it appealing for young readers; it’s easy for little hands to hold.
I appreciated what the author is trying to do here re explaining to sighted kids how blind kids read differently. The author has a brother who is blind, and it’s interesting how she’s always envied how her brother can read in the dark, something that makes it into the book’s story. But, for me, the book’s story was just okay. It was informative and sort of fun, and I can see kids liking it, but in my imagination I can also think of ways it could be much better.
Re the being able to read in the dark (vs. the flashlight so many kids have to use), it reminded me of In This Sign, where the deaf couple who signed to communicate could not talk in the dark; that’s an adult novel though.
The illustrations work really well with the book, and while they’re not my very favorite, I thought the colors and aspects of the style were very attractive and engaging.
So, I liked this book, but for me the story was just okay and I was disappointed that there was no actual Braille in the book. It would have been so easy (and natural) for the included Braille alphabet to be raised and be able to be read by both sight and touch. But, interested readers can learn the Braille alphabet and if they do they’d probably be able to read Braille when/if they get a chance to feel it.
I would have given this book 4 stars had real Braille been included on the Braille alphabet pages.
This is a small book, and that will make it appealing for young readers; it’s easy for little hands to hold.
I appreciated what the author is trying to do here re explaining to sighted kids how blind kids read differently. The author has a brother who is blind, and it’s interesting how she’s always envied how her brother can read in the dark, something that makes it into the book’s story. But, for me, the book’s story was just okay. It was informative and sort of fun, and I can see kids liking it, but in my imagination I can also think of ways it could be much better.
Re the being able to read in the dark (vs. the flashlight so many kids have to use), it reminded me of In This Sign, where the deaf couple who signed to communicate could not talk in the dark; that’s an adult novel though.
The illustrations work really well with the book, and while they’re not my very favorite, I thought the colors and aspects of the style were very attractive and engaging.
So, I liked this book, but for me the story was just okay and I was disappointed that there was no actual Braille in the book. It would have been so easy (and natural) for the included Braille alphabet to be raised and be able to be read by both sight and touch. But, interested readers can learn the Braille alphabet and if they do they’d probably be able to read Braille when/if they get a chance to feel it.
I would have given this book 4 stars had real Braille been included on the Braille alphabet pages.
June 22, 2011
A nice, simple, easy to read story about reading in braille. I would have loved it if the book included actual raised braille. The story is about a little boy named Oscar who teaches Lucy his secret code. Children will have fun deciphering the message in braille at the end. I especially enjoyed reading the author's note and the about the author section. I found it interesting that the author's brother is blind and what in particular she boast about that her brother can do that people with sight can not. Oh, how I wish I had that ability.
My two year old may not understand the concept of being blind, but it held her interest and she enjoyed the story and the illustrations of the children coloring, reading, and the abc's.
This was a Children's Picture Book read for this month's theme, Persons facing physical challenges.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
My two year old may not understand the concept of being blind, but it held her interest and she enjoyed the story and the illustrations of the children coloring, reading, and the abc's.
This was a Children's Picture Book read for this month's theme, Persons facing physical challenges.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
February 15, 2020
A young boy named Oscar teaches his best friend and classmate, Lucy, how to understand the "secret code" of Braille in this easy reader, part of the Rookie Readers series. With a simple sentence on each two-page spread, and colorful cartoon-like illustrations, author Dana Meachen Rau and illustrator Bari Weissman spin a satisfying tale of two friends that, though they use different methods, share their love of reading with one another.
I don't think I would have picked The Secret Code up - I tend to avoid this sort of very basic early-reader - were it not one of our official selections over in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is people facing physical challenges. I liked the fact that Oscar's blindness is presented in such a matter-of-fact way - no trauma here, folks! - and that the theme of children with different abilities is presented in an early-reader format. This is a title one might expect to find in any classroom, as part of the materials available to help children learn to read, making its themes all the more welcome! Beginning readers will enjoy the story, learn a little bit about Braille, and (if they're anything like me!) have fun translating the letter that Oscar sends to Lucy, toward the end of the book!
I don't think I would have picked The Secret Code up - I tend to avoid this sort of very basic early-reader - were it not one of our official selections over in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is people facing physical challenges. I liked the fact that Oscar's blindness is presented in such a matter-of-fact way - no trauma here, folks! - and that the theme of children with different abilities is presented in an early-reader format. This is a title one might expect to find in any classroom, as part of the materials available to help children learn to read, making its themes all the more welcome! Beginning readers will enjoy the story, learn a little bit about Braille, and (if they're anything like me!) have fun translating the letter that Oscar sends to Lucy, toward the end of the book!
May 28, 2008
CIP: Oscar, who is blind, teaches Lucy how to read his Braille book.
This easy reader is a great way to introduce young children to Braille and the blind. Short, simple sentences and nice illustrations show blind & sighted kids how the other "reads." The kids enjoy passing notes in "code!" Definitely a plus to have for preschoolers-2nd graders. Would also be handy for families with blind children to have on hand for siblings or playmates!
Reviewed in School Library Journal (August 1998).
This easy reader is a great way to introduce young children to Braille and the blind. Short, simple sentences and nice illustrations show blind & sighted kids how the other "reads." The kids enjoy passing notes in "code!" Definitely a plus to have for preschoolers-2nd graders. Would also be handy for families with blind children to have on hand for siblings or playmates!
Reviewed in School Library Journal (August 1998).
March 24, 2020
Lucy thought her friend Oscar uses a secret code, but he told her it was the way he reads. Oscar taught Lucy and the rest of the friends how-to uses this secret code.
Every child can learn to read Braille, and it can be fun!
Every child can learn to read Braille, and it can be fun!
July 4, 2011
This book was featured as one of the selections for the June 2011: Persons Facing Physical Challenges discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads. I put it on hold early in the month and thought that I hadn't gotten it yet. It wasn't until today that I realized that we'd had the book for all this time. The size of the book is very small, it's very similar to the reading primers that my youngest had been bringing home from her Kindergarten class to practice her reading. So for some reason, I thought this was just an early reader that we'd picked up on a whim at the library. Once I realized that this book was indeed the one I'd been looking for, we read it right away.
The story was interesting and it's a good introduction to the Braille alphabet. Our girls were fascinated by the description of the "code" and declared that they wanted to learn Braille too. Like other reviewers, I thought that the publisher missed out on a unique opportunity to teach children more about Braille by not using raised bumps for the code, but I'm sure it was a factor of the cost. In any case, I'm glad that we had the opportunity to read this book!
The story was interesting and it's a good introduction to the Braille alphabet. Our girls were fascinated by the description of the "code" and declared that they wanted to learn Braille too. Like other reviewers, I thought that the publisher missed out on a unique opportunity to teach children more about Braille by not using raised bumps for the code, but I'm sure it was a factor of the cost. In any case, I'm glad that we had the opportunity to read this book!
April 27, 2018
A young boy named Oscar is blind and as excepting as his friends are they believe that his books are secret code. Some of them even begin to feel left out because they can't read this secret code. So Oscar takes a trip to the library and tries to find books written in brail to help teach his friends how he reads.
This book is encouraging and helps children understand the struggles that blind people face, yet showing them that they aren't any different then we are. I think that this book is very well written and gives a lot of good insight on what it maybe like to be blind. For these reasons I have given this book a 5 star rating.
This book is encouraging and helps children understand the struggles that blind people face, yet showing them that they aren't any different then we are. I think that this book is very well written and gives a lot of good insight on what it maybe like to be blind. For these reasons I have given this book a 5 star rating.
May 2, 2019
A you boy named oscar is blind and as excepting as his friends are they believe that his book are secret code. Little did they know that it was only brail. This book encourages children to understand the struggles that blind people face.
November 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated the information given and the approach used when talking about Braille.
July 26, 2018
This was a good quick story
Wanted to give it five stars
I did
Alphabet page should have been in Braille
Other than that I’d highly recommend
Wanted to give it five stars
I did
Alphabet page should have been in Braille
Other than that I’d highly recommend
March 27, 2019
Loved that my 1st grader could read this independently and also learn about Braille at the same time.
January 5, 2022
A beginning reader book explaining the Braille writing system. Great to use as an introduction even with upper elementary.
November 2, 2012
Grade Level/Interest Level: K-5th grade
Reading Level: Level C, 1st Grade
Main Characters: Oscar & Lucy
POV: Omniscient third person narrator
Setting: School
This book is about a little girl who is curious about one of her fellow students who is blind. She notices that he is reading differently then she is, and calls it a secret code. When she asks Oscar what is this secret code he knows, he explains its not a secret and he will teach her. They learn braille together, Oscar teachers Lucy so she can write him notes and read in the dark. Eventually the whole class gets curious and they all experiment with braille. This book is really god for students who are starting to read on their own. Students can read this book independently, which is how I would use this in the classroom. The topic is different so I feel the students will be engaged in the book. Students can use this book to practice their fluency skills as well as comprehension. The book is simple so students at grade level can read it, but it can also be read aloud to talk about braille who what kind of people use braille and how does braille work. This isn’t always taught in school and may be really unfamiliar if they do not know anyone or have a classmate who is blind, but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be talked about
Reading Level: Level C, 1st Grade
Main Characters: Oscar & Lucy
POV: Omniscient third person narrator
Setting: School
This book is about a little girl who is curious about one of her fellow students who is blind. She notices that he is reading differently then she is, and calls it a secret code. When she asks Oscar what is this secret code he knows, he explains its not a secret and he will teach her. They learn braille together, Oscar teachers Lucy so she can write him notes and read in the dark. Eventually the whole class gets curious and they all experiment with braille. This book is really god for students who are starting to read on their own. Students can read this book independently, which is how I would use this in the classroom. The topic is different so I feel the students will be engaged in the book. Students can use this book to practice their fluency skills as well as comprehension. The book is simple so students at grade level can read it, but it can also be read aloud to talk about braille who what kind of people use braille and how does braille work. This isn’t always taught in school and may be really unfamiliar if they do not know anyone or have a classmate who is blind, but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be talked about
February 6, 2012
This is a story about boy who is blind and his reading of Braille. The girl in this story is fascinated by this boy's book written in Braille. At first she thinks it is a secret code, but he explains to her that the raised bumps indicate certain letters.
I would use this book when doing a lesson on diversity, Louis Braille, or people who are blind. It is also an early reader book, so I could use it simply for a reading lesson. It doesn't just have to be a lesson on the topic in the book. I especially like this book because in the back, there is the alphabet written in Braille. When I showed this book to my cohort, they were fascinated with feeling the bumps, so I imagine elementary students would love it.
I would use this book when doing a lesson on diversity, Louis Braille, or people who are blind. It is also an early reader book, so I could use it simply for a reading lesson. It doesn't just have to be a lesson on the topic in the book. I especially like this book because in the back, there is the alphabet written in Braille. When I showed this book to my cohort, they were fascinated with feeling the bumps, so I imagine elementary students would love it.
Read
July 12, 2011Lucy notices that Oscar’s book is different than hers. Oscar teaches her the “secret code”, braille. Isn’t it interesting that Lucy didn’t notice Oscar is visually impaired. There is no raised braille in this book, it is only well illustrated.
November 21, 2011
A great Easy Reader book for those children who know or will know a blind child. The illustrations are fun and cute.
The only thing I wanted more in this book would be the raised Braille letters.
AR 1.1
The only thing I wanted more in this book would be the raised Braille letters.
AR 1.1
January 2, 2013
This is one of those early reading level books for first graders to get comfortable with reading. It has tots of their "site words" and some repetitive language to help with early reading confidence.
February 10, 2009
couldn't be better--intro to braille. The author in her bio says her brother was blind. She envied him that he could read in the dark!
April 24, 2011
Absolutely love this little children book. I only wish they had a real Braille page for readers to touch.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 22, 2015
level 1, with a few tricks, so I gave it a 1.5.
February 1, 2015
Oscar teaches his class how to read braille. Now they have a secret code.
April 25, 2017
A young buy named Oscar is blind and as excepting as his friends are they believe that his books are secret code. Some of them even begin to feel left out because they can't read this secret code. So Oscar takes a trip to the library and tries to find books written in brail to help teach his friends how he reads. This book is encouraging and helps children understand the struggles that blind people face, yet showing them that they aren't any different then we are.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews