When Ardie promised that he would not give away what he knew about an upcoming family surprise, it seemed so easy. But protecting the secret got harder and harder. Everything he tried seemed to backfire. Luckily, with help from his teacher, he came up with the perfect plan. Now, to execute it, all he needs to do is to use his wagon to hide an odd list of supplies, to work around his two very observant and suspicious parents, and make sure that his little brother doesn't do anything to ruin it all. Piece of cake... "Ardie's Big Secret" is an engaging story about a young boy who goes out of his way to do something special to make his family happy. Young readers will relate to Ardie as he works through issues like keeping promises, sibling conflicts, and sharing. They will see that, even when things don't work out the way you expect, you can still succeed. It just takes determination, logical thinking, imagination, and knowing when to ask for help. This illustrated chapter book can be enjoyed by any age, but it is perfect for young people between the ages of 6 and 9.