103 pages3 hours read

The Name of This Book Is Secret

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Book Brief

Pseudonymous Bosch

The Name of This Book Is Secret

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007
Book Details
Pages

360

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

2007

Publisher

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch, 11-year-old Cass and Max-Ernest investigate the mysterious death of magician Pietro Bergamo, leading them to confront the cult Midnight Sun and their quest for a formula for immortality. Along the way, they decode messages, uncover secrets about Pietro and his brother, and encounter danger as they infiltrate the cult's spa to save a kidnapped classmate. The book includes topics that refer to kidnapping and child endangerment.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Playful

Adventurous

Humorous

Reviews & Readership

4.3

57,710 ratings

75%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch has received a mixture of praise and critique. Readers generally appreciate its unique and humorous narration as well as its engaging and suspenseful plot. However, some find the frequent interruptions by the narrator distracting and feel the story occasionally lacks depth. Overall, it’s seen as a fun, entertaining read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Name of This Book Is Secret?

Readers who savor quirky, engaging mysteries with interactive narratives will relish The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch. This book is perfect for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket and The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, blending humor, adventure, and a touch of the odd.

4.3

57,710 ratings

75%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Cass

A self-proclaimed survivalist with a knack for interpreting situations through a lens of catastrophism, she carries a symbolic backpack everywhere for emergencies and is the main protagonist navigating her journey in the Secret world.

An excessively chatty boy known for his love of jokes, often seen as annoying by peers, who uses his keen logical skills to decode and mediate challenging situations alongside Cass.

A main antagonist driven by the quest for immortality, she leads the Masters of the Midnight Sun while hiding her true age behind a polished, but deceptive, exterior.

Another key antagonist with a hidden identity linked to a familial relationship with a member of the Terces Society, revealing emotional complexity despite his villainous pursuits.

An absent mentor whose influence through his writing guides Cass and Max-Ernest, he plays a significant role in granting them access to the Secret world and acknowledging their talents.

An enigmatic character who directly engages with the reader, adding to the mystery and interactivity of the story while revealing his own conflicted nature.

An artistic misfit with synesthesia who perceives the world in unique sensory overlays, his intricate paintings are misunderstood by peers but speak to his innate connection to the Secret world.

Cass’s unconventional yet supportive substitute grandfathers who run a mysterious antique shop and offer a blend of belief and skepticism in her adventures.

A probate specialist known for her materialistic tendencies, she inadvertently links the main characters to the magician's mysterious world through her involvement with his estate.

Fun Facts

Pseudonymous Bosch is actually a pseudonym used by the author Raphael Simon, who kept his true identity a secret for several years after the book's release.

The author playfully engages with readers by warning them not to read the book, a tactic that intrigues and entices distant readers even more.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

The series, starting with The Name of This Book Is Secret, became a hit and has been translated into multiple languages, offering its quirky narrative and puzzles to a global audience.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

Book Details
Pages

360

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

2007

Publisher

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Buy This Book

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.