Reviewed by D. M. Nigro for TeensReadToo.com

What happens when you let the coolest girl at your summer music camp think you have a cute boyfriend at home...but you don't? And what happens when the same girl moves to your town, wants to meet that boyfriend...and comes between you and your best pal? How do you straighten out the whole mess without embarrassing the boy, losing friends old and new, or looking foolish in front of the whole school - and still pass Latin?

Accomplished author Lara Bergen takes middle-graders through this maze of misunderstanding with verve and tasteful realism. Each chapter begins with a 'hand-written' note or e-mail (complete with today's abbreviations and emoticons) which reinforce the book's totally contemporary appeal. The action and dialogue are non-stop - in spots, it's hard to tell which character is speaking - but readers will be eager to learn what comes next. Along the way are a couple of clever twists, and the use of the Latin language to help resolve the story is a classy touch.

I'VE GOT A SECRET is part of the popular Candy Apple Book series from Scholastic, Inc. Each colorful paperback contains excerpts from two upcoming titles, which is a nice extra. Candy Apple Books are promoted as Sweet. Fresh. Fun. I'VE GOT A SECRET fits right in. ( )