Via LaVie and the Secret Key by Scott Kyle, Karyn Langhorne, and Liv Kyle

One reason I love diving into a huge array of kidlit is that there are surprises. It's also a reason why I don't just review books coming out of publishing houses but also am open to those from independent authors. So, I get giddy when I discover a book like today's read.

This one is the second in the series, and as you probably already have guessed, I did not read the first but grabbed up the second (pesky habit). It's circles the life of a middle school girl and should hit themes of friendship, self-growth, and STEM. 

Let's just say that this one is worth a peek...yeah, this last thought comes after I read it.

VIA LAVIE 

AND THE SECRET KEY

by Scott G. Kyle, Karyn Langhorne and Liv Blu Kyle

Middle Grade Contemporary

284 pages

ages 8 to 12

Secrets?

Via LaVie's got plenty of them. There's her secret friendship with Molly Appleton and the secrets that made Tailor Madison her sworn enemy. She has secret conversations with the world-famous inventor, Dr. Carlotta Dekker and a secret diary, coded and hidden from the curious eyes of her brother, Kai. There are even secrets about the fate of her beloved Gran, missing for years and presumed dead. But the biggest secret of all is inside Via's own brain – and it's the one that she protects more than anything else. But then a surprise invitation to a special summer camp puts Via and Gran's secrets on a collision course. 

Via discovers that the truth is the key that unlocks her Gran's secrets – and all of Via's own. Via LaVie and the Secret Key is the exciting sequel to Via LaVie and the Friendship Code.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

This character packs tons of heart and just the right amount of zest to draw readers in to a never boring tale.

Via LaVie has received an invitation to STEM camp, and those who are invited are hand-picked. Even though this is a rare chance, she's not sure she wants to go...until she finds out that the snob of the school is going too. While camp promises tons of opportunities on the science end, Via knows that won't be the most daunting side. She has secrets... and friend-steering problems... and well, this might lead to more than she expected it would.

I did not read the first book in this series, which didn't prove to be a huge problem, but it would be better to start this one at the beginning thanks to the backstory. That said, this book surprised me. It is so well written and Via LaVie is a wonderful, middle grade girl. She's got tons of heart, is not exactly always sure of herself, but when things come down to it, she gives her all and then some. She's a tad bit silly, and her sudden thought directions add so much spice and humor. While there were moments where the dialogue felt a little mature for a character or two, everything else flows very well to the age group and sinks right into the wonder of real life. La Vie is a force to be reckoned with, sympathize with, and cheer for until the end.

There are, obviously, several meaningful messages in these pages, and they play along the plot with entertaining finesse. The ever-difficult roller coaster of friendship takes many ups and downs. Family relations are even more so and pack so much heart right along with the rocky slopes. Then, there's the path of learning more about ones self and the world around us (especially people wise). Via LaVie learns and grows, and that in a way which draws in with surprises, humor, and tons of middle grade fun.

And here they are...

Liv is a middle schooler who loves living life to the fullest. When not hangingA out with her friends, Liv enjoys learning Chinese, swimming and playing volleyball, mastering coding, giving public speeches, tutoring her peers, and making art.  

She is a cancer thriver who gives back to kids currently fighting the disease as an Ambassador for Rady Children’s Hospital. Liv developed a passion for reading and writing at a young age and can often be found making the world a better place by sharing her many discoveries with others.

Scott Kyle is the Chief Investment Officer at Coastwise Capital Group, LLC, a high-end money management firm based in La Jolla, CA. He is the author of four books including The Compound Code: An Expert Guide to Trading Stocks &  Options (www.thecompoundcode.com).   

Scott is a graduate from Harvard Business School, a two-time world champion in sailing, a third degree blackbelt in Shaolin Kempo, and an Ironman triathlon finisher.  Scott inherited his love of writing from his parents, both authors and educators throughout their lives. He lives with his wife, Victoria, and his two children, Jet and Liv, a short bike ride away from the beach in San Diego.

Karyn Langhorne Folan is the author of 40 books of fiction and nonfiction, many of them for tweens and teens. Karyn is a lifelong reader and learner, who likes books about science and history, as well as anything with zombies! When she is not writing, she is probably reading! 

She lives in Maryland with her husband and an unfriendly cat named Toka. Her grown-up daughters live nearby and she is hoping to become a grandmother soon!