White Lies

by J.C. Burke

Mitch learns everything about surfing from his grandfather, but when his grandfather falls seriously ill, everybody in the family starts telling Mitch white lies.

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

http:/www.facebook.com/pages/JC-Burke/20821...
.J.C Burke was born in Sydney in 1965, the fourth of five sisters. With writers for parents, she grew up in a world of noise, drama and books, but she decided to become a nurse after her mother lost a long battle with cancer. Since Burke started writing in 1999, she has published a number of acclaimed books for teenagers and young adults, including Children's Book Council Notable Books WHITE LIES and THE RED CARDIGAN, Aurealis Awards finalist NINE LETTERS LONG, THE STORY OF TOM BRENNAN, FAKING SWEET, STARFISH SISTERS and OCEAN PEARL. THE STORY OF TOM BRENNAN won the 2006 CBC Book of the Year - Older Readers and the 2006 Australian Family Therapists Award for Children's Literature. It is currently on the NSW HSC syllabus list.PIG BOY is Jane's newest title and was released in May 2011.
Jane lives on Sydney.

http:/www.facebook.com/pages/JC-Burke/20821...

Reviews

[Pip Tlaskal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little gem of a book that I gobbled up in a night and did not want to finish. As the mother of a teenage boy, it was a welcome insight into a boy's mind. It is the story of a young surfer who is being coached to greatness by his former champion Grandfather. It weaves its way through his relaxed life on the northern beaches of Sydney in a beautifully readable style which captures teen surfie vernacular but also the language of how Mitch describes the waves and surfing them hinted at what a powerful and spiritual sport this can be for teen boys so desperate for challenge and power at this time in their lives.
Each chapter begins with a flashback memory of Mitch and his Grandad, and as the novel progresses the flashback catches up with the present day to the final poignant denouement. There are weaknesses; his relationship with the mysterious dancer Diane is not really fleshed out yet I liked the link between the two sports/artforms surfing and dance; it made me think how similar they are in the amount of skill and courage required.

Beautiful writing and her first novel!

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

'White Lies’ is a very easy book to read from cover to cover in a night or two.
 
Paul is Mitch’s greatest love and they have a special bond between them. Every morning, Mitch and Paul would start off the day and go down to the beach and have a quick surf. However, Mitch soon finds out that Paul is diagnosed with leukaemia but swallows the white lie that Paul would recover.

It wasn’t long until Mitch realizes that Paul wouldn’t make it to see Mitch compete in a surfing competition. This makes him lose hope and decides to give up surfing which was the last thing he wanted to do.
 
It is a very inspirational book and is recommended for all high school students as it is very relatable. This book can make the readers look at their problems in life in a new and different perspective and learn how some of their problems should be faced.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.C.Burke captures the love of surfing and the link between the boy and his grandfather. She handles the emotions around death. Not too soppy.

[Christine]

Not bad for a teenage novel. I enjoyed it.