Circle the Truth

by Pat Schmatz

Eighth-grader Orithian "Rith" Haley discovers another world via the staircase in his house and begins to explore questions about God and the father he never knew, which forever changes his life--and the lives of those around him.

Genres: Young Adult

188 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Pat grew up in rural Wisconsin and has lived in Michigan, California, and Minnesota. In addition to writing, she’s interested in language study (ASL, Italian, Japanese and Spanish), drawing/cartooning, travel and anything outdoors. She occasionally teaches writing on-line and in person, and is always happy for a chance to visit a middle school or high school classroom. Her #1 favorite hobby, relaxation and adventure has been the same since she was little – stories. Stories in books, music, art, dance – it’s all about the story.

Reviews

[Kathleen Hagen]

Circle the Truth, by Pat Schmatz.

This is a young adult novel. It took seven years and many re-writes, she says, but it’s very good. It is published by a small local publisher in Minneapolis, Carolrhoda Books Inc. The story involves a teenage boy, Orithian, who believed that his father was dead. He disliked his stepfather and thought things would have been better if his “real” father had lived. He makes a friend, Toby, who is interested in attending confirmation classes with him because his own parents are atheists. Riff’s own parents are fervent churchgoers although not fundamentalists. Toby is searching for some information about religion in general. Rith, who has gone to church for most of his life, doesn’t know if he even believes in God. This book involves discussions about the relevance or not of religion between these teenage boys and others, and a search for the truth about Riff’s father, as well as the origin of Orithian’s name. Some woo-woo involved. A very good writer off to a very good start.

[Kalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Circle the Truth" was a interesting book. I didn't quite understand everything about the book. The main character is Rith. Rith starts waking up during the night and sees changes in his house. As the nights go on with his house begins changing, he meets a old man who reads lines from the Bible, and a cat. Rith doesn't understand what is happening or what it's supposed to mean. As the book goes on, Rith starts to understand why everything started happening. I would recommend this book to anyone from middle school age to high school who's looking for a good book that makes you think and keeps your mind open.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Schmatz is an author I discovered this year, and immediately she became one of my favorites. In under a week I read three of her four available books. She writes powerful stories that delve deeply into the questions of who we are and finding our place in the world. This book is about learning who you are. It part about learning to be, and to be good at being, no matter what life has thrown at you.

Rith is a young boy coming of age. He lives with his mother, his step father and his step sister who adores him. But strange things are happening to Rith. When he awakes one night and goes to the top of the stairs, he finds that the normal staircase has been replaced by a spiral staircase. This new staircase leads to a living room that is not his own. He is led to these stairs and to this room by a strange cat that again is not his own and yet seems to belong to him or at least has a plan for him. The cat leads him down the spiral stairs to a bizarre old man in an armchair sitting in front of a fire. This old man only speaks in quotes from the Bible. No matter what Rith asks or how much he persists, the Bible man only speaks in verses. Yet His words ring with truth to Rith and soon he starts looking up the verses and reading more. Rith shares this story with his new friend, Toby and soon Toby's father. As Rith circles the truth and tries to figure out what is going on he starts fighting more with his step father, causing tension with his mother. And soon even his little sister seems to be in danger. Can Rith figure out the cryptic quotes from Bible man? Can he find his place in his family and his world?

This was an amazing story. I find myself thinking about it often and know that I will reread it soon. This book will make you think. It was well worth reading and I give it the highest recommendation I can.

Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Pat Schmatz.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Circle the Truth by Pat Schmatz is a dynamic, intertwined book about a 14 year old boy named Rith. Rith has grown up with his mom and his step dad and he's getting sick with the answers that his parents are giving him about his real dad and other things like religion. One night Rith wakes up to find that there is a different wooden stair case leading to the hallway by his room. After going down the stairs he finds an old man and a cat, the man seems to only be able to talk in bible verses and almost looks right through him. Rith goes back to his bed room and the next morning everything is normal again but when the bible verses that the old man stated start to connect to his life and answer questions he starts to unlock the past. The line between reality and impossible starts to blur. Circle the Truth is interesting in the way it really plunges into the thoughts of a confused teenager trying to uncover the questions of life and the missing pieces of his past. I would recommend this book to almost anyone its interesting, truthful and has many layers to it.

[Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't think of a single book I read as a kid that allowed for the questioning of God. Being raised by a recovering Catholic, this would have been a great book to have.

It's also just a really strong story, with characters you can really connect with and enjoy being alongside for the pretty surreal ride.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was the character of Toby, a new friend who just seems really accepting of you and is in sync with things in the way you are. Great character to have in a book where the protagonist wonders about their sanity :)

[Elisabeth Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book and started reading it. I was guessing it was about maybe untangling a lie of some sort, but on the contrary. It actually brought in Biblical ties. If one isn't too religious, then this book isn't for you unless you are willing to set aside the religious side of the book to read a great book that helps a boy find the truth about who he is.
He questions himself and finds no peace in having a step-father, but that all changes when one night he discovers that his living room changes and contains a man who gives him the key to discovering the past.

[Steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad, but very real. Though maybe not truth, as Rith came to realize.
The subject matter hit close to home. Until the very end of the book, Rith believed his father had been killed in a drunk driving accident.
I didn't really figure out who Bible Man was...maybe just that. Bible Man.
It made me sad. Walt was trying so hard in his own way, but Rith didn't understand. He didn't want to. But Walt pushed Rith too hard in some areas, like sports and the adoption issue.
The last chapter made me go "Awww."
Clean read! :)

[Shaylee T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and i loved how it was really creepy and funny at the same time. I loved how the main character Rith was afraid of his room. This book is like my real life because i have a stepdad and i don't like him as much and so does rith. i think people who have stepdads or are afraid of there room should really read this.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept having to re-read whole sections of this book b/c it didn't seem to fit together. I have no idea who I would recommend this book to...