Other Titles • Little Secrets (2001) • Secret Keeper (2001)
Synopses for Little Secrets (2001)
1.
Keeping secrets is difficult and, sometimes, unhealthy. Emily (Evan Rachel Wood) discovers a talent for keeping secrets early in life and deems the skill marketable enough to open her own neighborhood business. Emily is also an amazing violin player with high aspirations for a musical career. Secret-keeping proves lucrative at first, but eventually the burden weighs on Emily and affects her ability to concentrate, hurting her chances of making the local youth symphony. Resolving her dilemma requires the help of two new friends, her violin teacher, parents, and a fair amount of soul-searching. Eventually, Emily's journey leads to the dissolution of her business and a cathartic revelation of a major secret of her own. The moral of Emily's experiences: "You can't keep secrets about yourself and live a true life," and "if you want to be close to someone, you can't keep secrets from them." (Ages 7 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
2.
Emily Lindstrom (Wood), a gifted 14-year-old violinist, is skipping summer camp with her friends in order to rehearse for her audition with the prestigious San Fancisco youth Orchestra. Emily also has set up a side business as the neighborhood "secret keeper." All of the neighborhood children line up for the chance to share their secrets with her for a 50 cent fee. Isabelle, for example, is courting a teenager on the internet while pretending to be her 14-year-old sister. Lea, 7, is hiding a kitten in her bedroom even though her sister is allergic to cats. Chubby Gregory is stealing money from his parents to buy candy. Mikey is trying to dig to China. For her nominal fee, Emily keeps their secrets and offers advice to her young admirers.