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The Secret Journal of Brett Colton Kindle Edition

by Kay Lynn Mangum (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 109 ratings
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Kathy Colton can't stand her brother Brett. Her family talks as if he were perfect! All Kathy knows for sure is that Brett is dead. He died of leukemia when he was seventeen and she was only two. But when Kathy turns sixteen, she discovers her brother's hidden journal—a journal written especially for her—and learns about the brother she never knew. At the same time, Kathy is mortified by an assignment to tutor the popular high school quarterback Jason West, a football jock who, even worse, is a Mormon. Author Kay Lynn Mangum brilliantly weaves dual stories of a dying brother and a coming-of-age sister who learn the importance of loving family and nurturing faith.


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  1. Print length
    198 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Deseret Book
  5. Publication date
    September 25, 2009
  6. File size
    525 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Great for young and young at heart!, July 07, 2005
By Pat

I don't find much time to read novels and very rarely take the time to read them with such a busy schedule. I have focused on non-fiction and things that would help me in the gospel and with my family. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK! I am encouraging everyone to read the book. I have told many others about it and am trying to get my family, and foster children to read it. Two Thumbs Up!

Touching story, August 18, 2005
By Shauna

As a cancer survivor this book was very touching to me. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the book. I cried and laughed.

ONE OF THE BEST I'VE READ IN A LONG TIME, March 18, 2005
By Alicia Williams

It's rare that a book can keep me up until 3 00 in the morning, but that's exactly what this book did. I was completely absorbed by the third chapter. The Secret Journal of Brett Colton was an insightful look into what a family goes through with the incurable illness of one of their own. It was an insightful look into the way a testimony of the Book of Mormon changes us. What I felt while reading the book remained with me long after I finished it. I've already passed my copy on to my own family, what a powerful book about change, family, love, life, and death.

About the Author

Kay Lynn Mangum holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Southern Utah University. She has enjoyed reading and writing stories since her elementary school days, and always dreamed of publishing novels. She works as a legal assistant and loves traveling to the places she wants to set her stories in. The Secret Journal of Brett Colton, her first novel, began as a short story she created at age 15 for a high school writing contest. Kay Lynn lives in Centerville, Utah.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002QI2296
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Deseret Book (September 25, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 25, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 525 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 109 ratings

About the author

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Kay Lynn Mangum

Kay Lynn Mangum

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In 2005, Deseret Book published my first young adult novel, "The Secret Journal of Brett Colton," which was followed by the publication of "A Love Like Lilly" in 2006. "When the Bough Breaks" has just been released, and deals with the issues of teenage alcoholism, blended families, and the death of a parent. I've been touched by letters from people who've connected with my books, and hope to write many more novels people will love! My website, KayLynnMangumNovels.com is finally up and running! Check it out -- it's a work in progress, but so far, so good! :) Thanks so much for your support!! :)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
109 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sapphire Moosman
5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have read this book so many times. Though it isn't the best written if Kay Lynn Mangums work, it is my favorite. Something about it just draws me to it over and over. It really captures how awkward and out of place we all felt in high school. Floundering to find where we fit in, who we are and what we believe. As someone born in the LDS church it is always fascinating to read stories from the perspective of people on the outside who later learn and come to accept it.
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Heather C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021
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A must read! Heartwarming story of the love one brother had for his baby sister and new found faith. Leaving a special 16th birthday gift he left for her 14 years earlier before losing his 2 year battle with leukemia at the young age of 17. I love how the past is intertwined with present day high school, discovery of talents, love and faith.
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Shanna Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2022
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I love this book! I love the story, the writing. Kay Lynn Mangum drew me in and made me feel like a part of Brett's family.
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Marin Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Clean LDS romance that I read over and over!
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2013
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I could easily call this book my favorite of all time. The depth to this story is absolutely beautiful. The discovered and renewed relationships between the lovable and very true to life characters are touching and so inspiring. Plus Kay Lynn Mangum has successfully created my favorite storybook hero, Jason West. I love him. Not one swear word, sex scene or even sexual reference. It's always a pleasure for me to read LDS fiction, which this book is abounding in. If you're not a member of the LDS faith, this story is told through the eyes of a non-member who doesn't understand the LDS terms thrown at her any better than you might, but it is a main stream to the plot.
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reading past my bedtime
5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of my favorite books ever
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
The story is told very well, you get enthralled in her life as she talks about living in the shadows of her dead brother. Then she gets her 16th birthday gift-from her deceased brother Bret-a journal he kept just for her. She slowly reads his journal and learns to love him. You read about how her life is changing, gaining strength and perspective at the same time you are reading about Bret's life as his mortality comes to an end. You cry and laugh and root for both of them.
It is one of my favorite books ever.
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tjbekker
5.0 out of 5 stars loved it
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2015
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I found this book as a recommendation on amazon (probably) for those who also liked The Fault in our Stars, right after my daughter told me she wanted some teen LDS fiction. I got it for her for her birthday and decided to read it myself. I thought about ditching it after the first couple chapters - it is LDS, realistic teen fiction, after all, but I was quickly hooked. I liked it despite it being predictable and sometimes cliched.
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Angelea
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2020
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I love this book. I have read it many times and it always reveals new things each time it is read.
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Shaunna Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020
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Great book. I am very glad my daughter recommended it. My whole family has read it now and we all love it!
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Top reviews from other countries

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Chris Olbrich
5.0 out of 5 stars Eins der besten Bücher
Reviewed in Germany on April 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
Dieses hier ist ohne Frage eines der besten Bücher, die ich je gelesen habe.
Ich habe sowohl gelacht, als auch geweint, für mich war es einfach, sich als deutscher Muttersprachler in die Figuren hineinzuversetzen und war ein wenig zerknirscht, als das Buch zu Ende war. Schade, dass es davon keine deutsche Übersetzung gibt. Ich würde das Buch zu gern meinen nicht des Englischen mächtigen Freunden zeigen!
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