Summary: The Secret of Honeycake
After 11-year-old Hurricane’s older sister is sent off to a treatment facility for TB in the 1930s (the same disease that took her mother’s life), she must move in with her aunt Claire in the city, leaving her beloved dog behind in their coastal Maine town. In the city, Aunt Claire is uptight, making motivational declarations in Latin and unable to abide Hurricane’s despondence and emotions. In contrast, her butler, Mr. Keats, is kind and welcoming and an excellent baker, making sweet treats and allowing quiet Hurricane to be herself while coming out of her shell. Finding refuge in friendship, community, and a feline companion, will Hurricane regain her footing?
The Good
This book is incredibly atmospheric with the palpable Great Depression setting, electrification, and introduction of Hoovers and Fridgaires setting the tone for that time. It also touches on the tuberculosis epidemic, which impacts Hurricane’s family. It was interesting to read about how the wealthy lived during the Great Depression and contrast it with the lives of poorer folks, which Fusco does well in this book. Hurricane’s aunt is well-to-do and while she feels the pinch of the recession, others around her feel it even more.
Another strong win for this book is that it reads aloud beautifully. The chapters are super short with many of them between 3-5 pages long, so even though the book itself is long, you get the fulfillment of finishing chapter and chapter and squeezing in one more chapter with ease. There’s also a great overarching message in the many touching musings about life, grief, and family, about being oneself no matter what the world around them pushes them to be.
Finally, I enjoyed the lovable characters in this story. From Mr. Keats, the kindhearted butler who’s grappling with PTSD, to Hurricane’s eccentric aunt raising a child for the first time, and Theo, the boy who befriends Hurricane. Hurricane might even be my least favorite character! I adored the friendship between Hurricane and Theo and all the animals in this story.
The Not-So-Good
There are some overwrought sentences and dialogue, and I thought this could have been 20-40 pages shorter, but the short chapters and likable characters make up for it.
The Secret of Honeycake
The Secret of Honeycake is an atmospheric exploration of life during the Great Depression and the healing power of community. With a protagonist who loves to write and stands out as different from her peers during her time, this book is a beacon for strong-willed readers who struggle to “blend in.” Still, it shows us that we need the support of people who love us. If you enjoy books with a strong sense of place, you will love this delightful, classic-feeling story!
Star Rating
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death: None on the page. Hurricane’s mom died months ago.
- Alcohol/substance abuse: None
- Sexual content: None.
- Violence: None
- Religious content: Hurricane’s aunt attends church.
- Language: None
Diversity
- Ethnic: Main characters cued white.
- Sexual orientation: None.
Recommended for ages: 9+
Good for kids who like:
- Light and Air by Mindy Wendell Nicholls
- A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
- Middle grade historical fiction
- Books set during the Great Depression
- Stories about kids who like to write
Publisher Details
| Publisher details | Knopf Books for Young Readers |
| Author: | Kimberly Newton Fusco |
| Illustrator: | N/A |
| Publication date: | January 21, 2025 |
| Audiobook? | Yes, Libro.Fm |
| Page count: | 368 |
| Cover artists | Designer: |
Buy This Book
More Book Reviews
- Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
- Sparkle by Lakita Wilson
- Ghost by Jason Reynolds
What do you think? Leave a comment