The Lie

by Laura A. Sonnenmark

Norrie, 15, is determined to snare Mark, a handsome high-school senior. She's been unsuccessful so far, despite assorted ploys to attract the popular boy's attention. Learning photography, his passion, may pay off, though; she'll be snapping tourists' pictures with him this summer in their hometown of Ocean City, Md. But Mark considers his co-worker a child, until he keeps seeing Norrie with her visiting cousin's Adonis-like husband. Concluding that the two are dating, Mark becomes jealous, and Norrie won't correct his erroneous assumption with victory so close. This heroine's zany narrative has a contemporary tone and timeless premise about obsessive love. Yet the pace sometimes flags, and the dialogue, injected with several expletives, is marred by unnatural lines. Sonnenmark (Something's Rotten in the State of Maryland ) adheres to a well-worn notion: that one's object of desire is often undeserving. Her main character is not particularly inspiring--a flawed featherweight who reveals the truth only when pressed and becomes inebriated at a party although she dislikes liquor. Norrie's foibles may win sympathetic readers, however, and perhaps they'll benefit from her mistakes. Ages 12-up. (Publishers Weekly)

An acclaimed author displays her keen understanding of teen issues in this engrossing novel--now available in paperback. When Norrie decides to make Mark notice her by telling a lie, she finds one deception leads to another. And Mark may leave her forever. A realistic story that "teens will read" (Voice of Youth Advocates).

181 pages, Library Binding

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Chelsea Alarcon · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story is so amazing i like it.

[kukiyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me several months just to finish this series, because I got really busy but I regretted not reading it as soon as I can. It was a nice story actually and I got hooked into it.