In the beginning of the story, Kate breaks her arm because her brother Josh dared her to go down to the hobo camp. Kate runs into two hobos and gets scared and runs. She trips on a root of a tree and breaks her arm. After a few weeks with her broken arm, Kate gets really bored. She meets a boy named Oscar who has a broken leg, in a cast. Kate and Oscar form "Cripples Incorporated" and search for the Secret. The Secret is a rumor that there is a secret room in or around Kate's house that had been used as a station on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. Kate and Oscar spend all their time looking for the Secret. Oscar reads a lot of books about the Underground Railroad to look for clues. Kate investigates her house when Oscar isn't there. In one bedroom in Kate's house, Kate found a saying written by the previous owners of the house that helps her to better understand the Secret. But soon the fun will end because something happens to Kate and her mother won't let her look for the Secret any longer.
I liked this book a lot. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was very interesting and once you started reading it you can't seem to stop. The beginning of the story got a little boring but it got way better as the story went on.

As a child I received this book as a gift for Christmas from our local Ashtabula book store. It has great value to me as my family is from the Ashtabula area and this is where the book takes place. I usually read this to my class during Black History Month, and my students are always on the edge of their seats trying to figure out the secret. It's a wonderful book, and I am so happy that it is still in print!!! The sequel, The Diary of the Strawbridge Place, is also very good.

the story had a great plot. i loved the setting. It is great for all ages (11-and up). it is the best book i have ever read. it telled everything in detail and it didn't leave you hanging at the end.