Tell Me No Lies

by Malorie Blackman

Gemma and Mike - two kids hurt by their past are now inextricably linked. Their effect on each others' lives will be explosive.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, School, Contemporary, Teen

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 1999

About the author

An award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.

More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Malorie Blackman, however, this book wasnt exactly her best. The characters were strong and the story line was great, but the form in which it was written is the questionable part.

The plot is actually an intriguing one, and Malorie is a genius for having thought up something of that nature, but it was in this powerful plot that led to the downfall of the book. It would have done with lots more description, imagery and generally, more substance. It's like the book was written in a rush to be over and done with.

Gemma Elliot is an abnormally invisible teenager with inner turmoil and Michael Woods is the new boy at school. Though they cant see it at first, the two have loads in common... the story is centered around Mums... all kinds od mums. kind ones, self sacrificial ones, mean ones... Ones that abandon you when it seems like you need them the most. Family is a key component of this book.

It was a light read - I was done in less than a day, but judging by the rest of the books Malorie has written, Pig Heart Boy, Naughts and Crosses, and the book about the bet friend (Temporarily forgotten the name :)) this book was a bust.

[16quinnh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much different from Malorie Blackman’s usual books. I found it really interesting and while it was slightly strange at points, it was quite sweet overall. It was also interesting to see how Gemma and Mike’s stories and hardships linked and combined.

I personally thought Gemma’s character was quite sweet and in her own world in most of the book but particularly the beginning. While she was quite distant from everyone, it wasn’t what she wanted and she wanted a better life

Despite Mike’s grandparents seeming old fashioned and disrespectful, I felt bad for the way Mike treated them and it felt like he was being quite unappreciative until they started to reveal more about his mum’s case and what went on that he didn’t know about.

[Kelly O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[carla · Rating 1 out of 5]

es tan malo que me entraban ganas de gritar a cada frase que leía

[Rooby-Dooby x · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I thought this book was a little weird. It wasn't at all happy and it was kinda boring. But as I started to get it to it I found it heartwarming and genually touching. I would really recommend this book to anyone who wants a short, but interesting book.

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love Malorie Blackman’s writing style. Even in her books for very little children you can see it and you can definitely see it here. Her characters are painted with deliberate and sparing accuracy so you end up getting a very good sense of characters quite quickly. I also think she’s able to tackle heavy topics in a really effective way - it’s not sensational and she gets to the heart of each person and strays from painting someone as wholly bad or wholly good.

This books is definitely in the Jacqueline Wilson tradition but as I haven’t read one of her books since I’ve been an adult I’m not sure I could fully compare the two.

This book is the 22nd I’ve read by Blackman and I’m so determined to get through her entire œuvre. Every time I read one of her books my positive opinion of her is solidified

[Emma W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not the target audience for this book, but I couldn’t resist a Malorie Blackman book when I saw it.

Honestly, a good read! Malorie has explored some unique experiences and emotions through a realistic lens.

I was transported back to being a teenager - feeling like no one could relate, understand, or care. The feelings of desperation to be cared about or seen. The selfish nature that is part and parcel of discovering who you are as a teen.

[Imogen Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Not my favourite Malorie Blackman book. Some of the language is obviously dated now and didn’t engage me, as an adult, massively, but will still recommend to the children my class as the switching POVs between the bully and the victim will help their empathy skills. Plus it’s a quick read, but with a mature plot.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could tell this was well written given how much Gemma annoyed me…

Almost wished there was a bit more on the end talking about Gemma and Mike seeing their mums? Or at least a sequel focussing on this aspect as I feel this could’ve been an interesting story to explore and would’ve further developed the characters?

[Kafui Sitropè · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a nostalgic book for me.
This is the first book I ever remember voluntarily reading in my adolescent years (in yr6 to be exact, so good for first time readers).

I loved that each chapter was a bounce between the two main characters and the spark of romance. I guess this set my taste for life on the whole girl/boy perspective chapters lol.

[Les McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Malorie Blackman and this book doesn't buck the trend. A simplistic story of bully and bullied. There could be a lot more to this story but a great one for starting the cogs whirring about the issues.

[Lyndsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get what she was trying to do but for me she didn’t go far enough - although I realise I was probably not the target audience for this book. I liked the two narrator style though giving the different versions of events. There just wasn’t enough there for me.

[traceyy ۫ ꣑ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book because of noughts & crosses, and this is definitely alot different to it. i really enjoyed this book and the mystery around it, as someone who doesn’t like to read often i enjoyed this book so much!

[nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay I love Malorie Blackman but I think this was one of her weaker books even though the storyline was really intriguing (and the characters could have been really great with more development etc.)

[Leah Greaves · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book quite sad but not to sad it is about family stuff as in mothers and fathers and if they are getting on well or abusing each other in short.

[Megan ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

why do I not remember literally anything about this ?

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and will be encouraging my pupils to read Malorie Blackman!

[Daisy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting easy read that I would recommend to a younger audience.

[FluffyLiker555 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic story which covers a multitude of themes, many of which are untouched by any other media. Definitely worth a read; maybe two.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, quick read.

You’ll finish it in one sitting.

[Andrei J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4/ k lang. Typical story, very light. No special effects.

[Ellie-Grace Goodyear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, super good

[TwoDrinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only marked as 3 as I think as an adult it’s more about the theme of bullying than the plot. Passing it on a child who needs it.

[Lydia Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the book, good author but probably wouldn’t read again

[Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was read as part of my English class.

I went into this book feeling particularly optimistic about it. I mean, who wouldn't be- the blurb and first two or three chapters did enchant me a little. But I soon grew less and less fond of the book.

Let's talk about characters, Gemma in particular.
I did not like her in the slightest, which made for some very interesting class discussions. I mean, how old are the characters in this book exactly? Teenagers? 12 year olds? Gemma had he maturity of an eight or nine year old. Her empty threats of 'I'll tell everyone' quickly became tedious and boring. Literally, there was a collective eye roll throughout the group as she said this. I get that Blackman wanted to put it across that Gemma is the antagonist of the story, but it was very poorly executed.

I had less problems with Mike. I pitied him mostly, and am surprised he didn't crack earlier on in the story. My only problem was with the terrible excuse of a plot twist in the last couple of chapters. Towards the end, he leaves school during lunchtime and Gemma chases him. They end up on a bridge, and he sits on the edge of the wall for some time, all while Gemma tells him 'not to do anything stupid'. Again, I understand that this scene was used to make Gemma realise her mistakes, but it was in no way realistic, and came across as over dramatic and anticlimactic.

The plot twists in this book were also anticlimactic. There were that many scattered messily throughout the novel that nothing really came as a surprise. The only twist that had any effect on me personally was the moment when Gemma's father explained that her mother was alive but did not want her. Other than that, I found that every time something happened that was meant to change the plot, instead of a 'shock, horror!' Feeling, I was left with an 'oh, ok then' feeling. For example, when Mike told her that he killed his dad, both my friend and i wanted some sort of gruesome, bloody, cleverly crafted secret. But no. We were given 'I pushed him and he banged his head then i ran away.' Boring.

Lastly, the ending seemed very rushed and also unlikely. After Gemma's behaviour, i feel that her classmates wouldn't be so quick to forgive. And also, the last few words didn't fit with the book at all. They left no impact, no desire to read more. It just ended very abruptly.

All in all, I did not like this book. It is the first book by Mallorie Blackman that i have read, and it has no convinced me to read any more by her.

[Lizzy Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

So as the blurb suggests the book follows Mike who is new in school; desperate to make friends, which he ultimately does, he finds himself at the wrath of Gemma. Gemma prefers to be invisible, pretending she is unseen and preferring to spend her time cutting out and collecting images of mothers. However when Gemma recognises Mike in one of her scrapbooks, she decides to use this too her advantage; blackmailing him and causing all sorts of emotional damage. The book spins between the two, who are both hiding secrets about their parents and themselves as this book looks at the danger of bullying, hatred, bribery and friendship all written in this authors compelling style.

The writing is simple and basic, written for reader 11+ it needs to be to suit the reading age. The description is also less but it works to help push the plot along although it starts slowly. I liked the use of Gemma’s controlling style despite her difficulty to fit in with the other students she has class with. It does feel a little dark in places, especially seen in Gemma’s dominating and bulling fashion, but it also looks at why she is compelled to act in such a destructive way. She’s lonely and tired of being the odd one out, which helps her become closer to her own family as a whole. I thought the tale of Mike, damaged by his abusive and aggressive father and the story of the day that they leave and his father dies was compelling and a strong contrast to Gemma’s tale and both being estranged from their mother’s helped to bring the two together. I thought the mystery surrounding the death of Mike’s father and the location of his mother helped to add to the mystery. The ending wrapped up well and the development of characters is advanced well and they both grow as it continues; it’s a compelling tale.

My only wobble was that Gemma is quite unlikeable ( I know this is a main part of the story) but even in the ending she comes across a little terse. I think she could have blossomed more, but it’s a minor point. Overall as I mentioned it’s not as good as Noughts and Crosses and if you’re looking for a book that’s just as good you won’t find it here. What you will find is well written book with a message. Pretty good.

[18khanj199 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was a great read. It was a little bit confusing and hard to understand at times but the author makes the story really intriguing by switching between a bully and a victim life in both of the character's stories; it was really nice and sweet when the two characters were together, it felt like a tug of war seeing them go between hating each other then came to understand each other. I was hooked when I read further because of the events and struggles the two characters were facing, and how they dealt with it later on. It was a really good book that I highly recommend.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 ( I could never give any Malorie Blackman book less than that)

Very quick read. I found the story to be a little bland and Gemma was an annoying character but both her and Mike do have a lot of depth to them which makes the story more interesting. Some nice twists as you begin to learn more and more about their pasts and learn new things with them. I do love the split points of view and Malorie Blackman's writing never fails to make me happy.

[Megan Whitworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great premise for a story, but the writing style was positively awful. There was no description whatsoever and I feel that even I could probably write better than that. If only Blackman had written this a little better it could have been an amazing book because the story idea and characters were intriguing.

[Leo Margetts]

In thiis book I enjoyed the density of the way they wrote down the feelings of people. Another good thing about htis book is how the author got the idea of putting weird people in the story. It was so brilliant. At the end Gemma- a girl with no mother- goes in search of her Mum's hiding place in the world I wonder what will happen next.