The Enid Blyton Society Secret Series

The Secret Series

Secret Series

The Secret Island, published in 1938, is not only the first book in the Secret series but has the distinction of being Enid Blyton's first full-length adventure novel.

It introduces us to an interesting set of characters — Jack the resourceful "wild boy" who has a knowledge of survival skills and is a natural leader, Peggy the motherly figure, her younger brother Mike who is cheerful and willing and lastly Nora who, despite being Mike's twin, is the "baby" of the group and is at first a little lazy and inclined to indulge herself.

The Secret Island is unusual in that the children do not come up against a gang of criminals. Rather, the story is a surprisingly poignant tale of survival and community, with echoes of Robinson Crusoe.

Secret Series

Another central child character, Prince Paul of Baronia, joins the others in the second book, The Secret of Spiggy Holes, and takes part in all the remaining adventures. Unlike The Secret Island, the rest of the books are typical of children's adventure stories in that they involve the children pitting their wits against "baddies" of some sort. With exotic landscapes, spooky happenings and encounters with "lost races," the five titles in the Secret series are imaginative and enthralling.

Secret Series

Secret Series

Enid Blyton uses adult character Captain Arnold, pioneer aviator, to voice her own thoughts when she has him state, "It doesn't do to coddle children too much and shelter them... we want boys and girls of spirit and courage, who can stand on their own feet and are not afraid of what may happen to them. We want them to grow up adventurous and strong, of some real use in the world!" Stirring stuff!

The first editions of the books were illustrated by E. H. Davie, Harry Rountree, Eileen Soper and Dorothy Hall. 2009 saw the publication of Trevor Bolton's sequel to the series, The Secret Valley, with illustrations by Val Biro. There was a New Zealand TV series in the 1990s.

Secret Series

There are 5 original "Secret" books by Enid Blyton written between 1938 and 1953...
First Published in 1938 by Basil Blackwell
Book 1 of 5 in this category
See review by David Cook
First Published in 1940 by Basil Blackwell
Book 2 of 5 in this category
See review by David Cook
First Published in 1941 by Basil Blackwell
Book 3 of 5 in this category
See review by David Cook
First Published in 1943 by Basil Blackwell
Book 4 of 5 in this category
See review by David Cook
First Published in 1953 by Basil Blackwell
Book 5 of 5 in this category
See review by David Cook

Secret TV Novelisations

In 1998, the novels were reprinted as TV adaptations...
First Published in 1998 by HarperCollins
Book 1 of 5 in this category
First Published in 1998 by HarperCollins
Book 2 of 5 in this category
First Published in 1998 by HarperCollins
Book 3 of 5 in this category
First Published in 1998 by HarperCollins
Book 4 of 5 in this category
First Published in 1998 by HarperCollins
Book 5 of 5 in this category

Secret Series Sequel

There is also 1 sequel to the "Secret" series written by Trevor J. Bolton in 2009. With the launch of this edition, the original five books have been reprinted with their original text and with new covers by Val Biro (although The Secret of Killimooin has been retitled as The Secret Forest).
First Published in 2009 by Award
Book 1 of 1 in this category
See review by Julie Heginbotham