Seven for a Secret by Laurence Anholt illustrated by Jim Coplestone

One for sorrow,

Two for joy,

Three for a girl,

Four for a boy,

Five for silver,

Six for gold,

Seven for a secret,

Never to be told.

Ruby lives in an apartment in the city. Grampa lives in the country near a forest. Grampa and Ruby write letters and magically the words in the nursery rhyme that Grampa has sent seem to come true. But what is the secret?

From the blurb: "Told entirely in letter form and woven around the ancient rhyme of the magpies, Laurence Anholt's profoundly moving story is about youth and old age, sunshine and snow, sorrow and joy, birth and death - most of all it is a song of love and hope."

Ruby writes about city life, the noise, the winter cold, the news that a baby brother is coming, then summer arrives and dad builds a bird table, but in the next letter she tells Grampa that mum and dad are worried about money. Grampa writes about the magpie in his garden, tracks in the snow, then he is unwell but he does send a necklace for Ruby and an interesting secret message. Sadly, Grampa dies but when the family move into his forest home they discover an amazing secret! Five for silver, six for gold!

There is a mystical, almost fey, element to this story, along with a lyricism that makes it memorable. The gentle, autumnal watercolour illustrations reflect perfectly the poignant interwoven text, Grampa’s growing weakness, and Ruby’s sadness, and the end pages with post-people carrying the letters in town and country are a delight. Books for Keeps

Everyone has secrets. Some secrets are happy, like the one Grandpa has for Ruby. She’s going to be a big sister, and Grandpa has “been hiding shiny things” that he plans to pass on to her. Other secrets are sad, such as Dad’s fear that they will lose their home and not be able to afford the new baby. But Grandpa has the saddest secret of all: he’s dying and may never see Ruby again or get to meet her baby brother. Foreword Reviews

If I had a rating system for end papers this book would be awarded a gold star. At the front we see the postwoman traveling over a bridge through the city and at the back a different postman is riding his bike across the countryside. I do hope you can find this book from 2006 in your local or school library.