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The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle: A National Book Award Finalist Middle Grade Story About Learning Disabilities and Hope for Kids
From the critically acclaimed author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook , Leslie Connor, comes a deeply poignant and beautifully crafted story about self-reliance, redemption, and hope. Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write. Mason’s learning disabilities are compounded by grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason’s best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family’s orchard. An investigation drags on, and Mason, honest as the day is long, can’t understand why Lieutenant Baird won’t believe the story Mason has told about that day. Both Mason and his new friend, tiny Calvin Chumsky, are relentlessly bullied by the other boys in their neighborhood, so they create an underground haven for themselves. When Calvin goes missing, Mason finds himself in trouble again. He’s desperate to figure out what happened to Calvin and, eventually, Benny. But will anyone believe him? National Book Award Finalist * ALA Schneider Family Book Award * 2019 ALSC Notable Children’s Book * Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 * 2019-2020 Nebraska Golden Sower Award * Amazon Best Books of 2018 * Kirkus Best of Children's 2018 * New York Public Library Best Books 2018 * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2018 * 2018 Nerdy Book Club Middle Grade Winner * South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee * 2020 Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee * Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2019 (9-12) * 2020 Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee * 2020-2021 Missouri Association of School Librarians Mark Twain Readers Award Preliminary Nominee * 2020-2021 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee * 2021 Connecitcut Nutmeg Book Award Middle Grade Nominee *
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2018
644 people are currently reading
6445 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Connor
11 books432 followersFrom the author's website:
My life began suddenly (you can even ask my mother) in an antique farmhouse outside of Cleveland, Ohio. I was born right on the family room floor ~ no time to get to the hospital! I swear, I’ve been in a hurry ever since.
When I was in fourth grade we moved to a neighborhood full of kids outside of Schenectady, New York. My Dad worked for a company that sold some of the finest printing papers in all the land. He often brought home big, beautiful, heavy books that pinned me to my chair when I held them in my lap, and I loved to turn the pages, look at the photography and illustrations and smell the ink.
As a kid I took dancing lessons and did gymnastics. I could be found upside-down in odd places like the middle of the stairway, not that I recommend it! My bedroom was a messy nest full of paint sets and paper scraps, embroidery threads and sewing projects. In school I was good at some things and not at all good at others. Still, I found my passions. I went to college, first at SUNY, Cobleskill, where I received an associate’s degree in agriculture, and later at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Ct. where I earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art.
At first, I was interested in children’s books from an illustrator’s point of view. But the writing part surprised me ~ came up from behind and tapped me on the shoulder. I realized that my head and heart were very full of stories and that I should pay attention! My ideas come from everyday life, and I write for readers of all ages.
I live in the Connecticut woods with my husband and three children. (Well, the kids are getting big and they all drive cars now so they come and go a lot these days.) We keep our bird feeders full, do a little gardening and stack a lot of firewood. I hike the trails near my home almost every morning. Then I make a pot of tea and get to work. Usually, my loyal Writing Dogs are right by my side. (Sometimes I even borrow dogs from my neighbors. You can’t have enough dogs.)
I love making artisan pizzas and pots of soup and my favorite treat is dark chocolate. I also love to ride my bike down to the diner to meet my friends for breakfast and more tea. (Hmm...that’s a lot of eating, isn’t it?)
Life is fine!
My life began suddenly (you can even ask my mother) in an antique farmhouse outside of Cleveland, Ohio. I was born right on the family room floor ~ no time to get to the hospital! I swear, I’ve been in a hurry ever since.
When I was in fourth grade we moved to a neighborhood full of kids outside of Schenectady, New York. My Dad worked for a company that sold some of the finest printing papers in all the land. He often brought home big, beautiful, heavy books that pinned me to my chair when I held them in my lap, and I loved to turn the pages, look at the photography and illustrations and smell the ink.
As a kid I took dancing lessons and did gymnastics. I could be found upside-down in odd places like the middle of the stairway, not that I recommend it! My bedroom was a messy nest full of paint sets and paper scraps, embroidery threads and sewing projects. In school I was good at some things and not at all good at others. Still, I found my passions. I went to college, first at SUNY, Cobleskill, where I received an associate’s degree in agriculture, and later at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Ct. where I earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art.
At first, I was interested in children’s books from an illustrator’s point of view. But the writing part surprised me ~ came up from behind and tapped me on the shoulder. I realized that my head and heart were very full of stories and that I should pay attention! My ideas come from everyday life, and I write for readers of all ages.
I live in the Connecticut woods with my husband and three children. (Well, the kids are getting big and they all drive cars now so they come and go a lot these days.) We keep our bird feeders full, do a little gardening and stack a lot of firewood. I hike the trails near my home almost every morning. Then I make a pot of tea and get to work. Usually, my loyal Writing Dogs are right by my side. (Sometimes I even borrow dogs from my neighbors. You can’t have enough dogs.)
I love making artisan pizzas and pots of soup and my favorite treat is dark chocolate. I also love to ride my bike down to the diner to meet my friends for breakfast and more tea. (Hmm...that’s a lot of eating, isn’t it?)
Life is fine!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,500 reviews
February 25, 2018
Mason's voice reads so authentic and naively honest. It's apparent this character was born from a very loving place in author Leslie Connor's mind. You want to teach him so much but at the same time, want to shield and protect him from so much.
A warning: This book is surprisingly dark and heartbreaking. Mason is bullied relentlessly and while he doesn't let it shake him, I wanted to climb inside the pages of this story multiple times and show Matty Drinker a thing or two! The relationship between the boys (both predators and prey) is very complex and difficult to read play out because I'm afraid it's SO realistic. I'm not sure the lack of a resolution for a particular plot thread will suffice for readers who wish to see justice fully served. Personally, I would have settled for just a little bit of accountability out of a certain character, but none is shown.
Strong work by Connor. A book every kid should read.
A warning: This book is surprisingly dark and heartbreaking. Mason is bullied relentlessly and while he doesn't let it shake him, I wanted to climb inside the pages of this story multiple times and show Matty Drinker a thing or two! The relationship between the boys (both predators and prey) is very complex and difficult to read play out because I'm afraid it's SO realistic. I'm not sure the lack of a resolution for a particular plot thread will suffice for readers who wish to see justice fully served. Personally, I would have settled for just a little bit of accountability out of a certain character, but none is shown.
Strong work by Connor. A book every kid should read.
February 20, 2024
✰ 4.25 stars ✰
“I take the picture of my old friend, Benny Kilmartin. I hold it close to my eyes. I think this: I want to see him and see him and see him. Got a feeling inside me. The loving memory of Benny.”
It's books like The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle that remind me why I will never stop reading Middle Grade books. Why I was so upset that Goodreads had removed Best Middle Grade category from their yearly awards. Why I firmly believe that middle grade books truly are books suitable for all ages - because there is so much heart in them that anyone can appreciate. Mason Buttle is twelve years old; fifteen months ago, he lost his best friend, Benny Kilmartin in an unresolved and unexplained and unfortunate accident. Mason has difficulty reading and expressing himself in words, so he voices out his thoughts into a voice modulator, the Dragon, which, in turn, brings them into writing. He's bullied at school - he gains a new best friend in a new classmate, tiny Calvin Chumsky. Benny's parents have not forgiven him for what happened to their son. Lieutenant Baird is still hot on his trail - firmly convinced that Mason is hiding something about the day he found his body - desperate to know the real truth behind Benny's death. And the truth is this.
“Lucky thing to meet someone and know that you like them right away. And they like you. Used to happen more. Not as much now.”
Short story - I really liked reading this. Long story - I thought it was an emotional and heartwarming story with a compassionate protagonist that will make you want to reach in and give him a hug and remind him forever of how loved he is. The story is written as if, indeed it is the truth as told by Mason Buttle - short chapters with slightly disjointed sentences that reflect his inner thoughts and emotions with honesty and candor that show just how deeply affected he is by what he's experiencing. A sweet kind hearted boy who's the victim of relentless bullying and who is still grieving the loss of his best friend. 'I ran back through the orchard and found him. I have said it all before. I can’t do it again. I don’t want to see Benny the way I saw him.' 💔💔 And yet despite all the hardships he faces, Mason never loses his optimism - never loses faith in the innate goodness in others - never wants to believe that people can be capable of such evil, even when they attack him with slurs and fists. It is that innocence and kindness that makes him strike up a friendship with the new kid in town, Calvin. 🥺
Friendship is such a beautiful thing - one of the truest and purest forms of relationships that any living thing is blessed to have. And to lose it - is an unspeakable and unbearable feeling. Calvin may never be enough to replace the hole in Mason's heart after losing Benny, but he was a comfort and support - dare I say it, a friend, when he really needed it. 😊 Along with his loyal dog, Moonie, Calvin helped Mason brave bullies, explore new frontiers, bond over the smallest of things and remind him that it's okay to live - It's okay to ask for help - it's okay to fight back - it's okay to grieve - it's okay to be you. 'Thinking outside the box is a skill. It means your mind is big and open, Mason. If you can think outside the box, you have no limits!' They faced danger, shared hard-earned secrets and celebrated in the joy of being themselves. He was such a firecracker of a character and the way the author put their friendship to the test was such a heartbreaking one, but a vital one to bring Mason a bit closer into finding out what happened to Benny. 😞
“I think this: Benny Kilmartin is a part of my story... So I miss him. But most of all, I miss Benny.”
We never are not told just how dear Benny was to Mason - how much their friendship was so special and how Mason's life was shattered since that day. The memories he shared with him were so heartwarming and sincere, I felt such a pang in my heart at how he's still hurting so badly over it. Not knowing what could have been the cause of his death, but still trying to figure it out while convincing everyone in town that he's not responsible for it - how he's carrying the guilt of blame and uncertainty of not knowing what really happened. 'I guess it was not the best ladder. I told everyone that I was sorry about that. I wish I’d built that better.' 😣 I couldn't understand why everyone - from the police force to Benny's parents to his neighbors - was so determined to paint him as the bad guy... couldn't they see that he was just a young boy who had lost his best friend? Couldn't they accept the truth that he had no part in it, save for being the unfortunate person whose house he was at when he died, when he never covers up anything about what happened that day - honest to a fault? 😟
The way the author built up to the final reveal - when the truth does come out - I was crying. Yes, I am an emotional reader, but every character at that scene - was crying with me. 😭 That chapter will break your heart - I knew what really happened to Benny, the clues were all there. But, the beauty of writing well is the skillful manner in which the author lays out enough context clues for the reader to pick up on them. But, it's not about us to figure out the truth - it is for Mason. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 When your world is crashing down on you - when you see the tragedy for what it really was - the guilt and shame and sense of loss - it's a tumultuous moment where the grief threatens to overwhelm you. A book that can make that sweep of emotions flair through my body and wring my heart dry - I really commend Leslie Connor for succeeding in doing just that. Every time he thought about the tragedy he'll never forget - the words - they cut deep. 😢
“But maybe I can tell you this. It will be okay. Someday. Somehow. Don’t you think?”
Mason's family was an unconventional one, but I think it added an extra flavor to the story. Living at an apple orchard with his grandmother and his uncle, along with Shaynee, his uncle's wayward companion, was a unique setup that provided an extra flavor to the story, a dose of humor and strangeness of those who understood Mason better than anyone and believed in him - without a hint of a doubt. 🤍🤍 When Benny's parents turned away from Mason - cutting him off entirely and forgetting how close the two of them had been - my heart hurt so badly. The boy who had been their son's best friend - 'like brothers from two homes' - didn't they see they weren't alone in their grief? Rather than turning away, would it have hurt them to hurt in their pain together, rather than be so cruel in their pain? 'Having a broken heart is no excuse to break someone else’s.' His family was always there to be the support he needed - to hold him close when the sadness was too much to bear alone. 🫂
Mason's story is a tender and quietly beautiful portrayal of what happens when our good judgment is clouded by the shadows of grief that lead to hasty and harmful decisions. It teaches the vital need not to ignore signs of bullying and to take action before actions do indeed speak louder than words. It touches upon the importance of treating those with disabilities with the utmost kindness and patience because just because they may be different doesn't mean they have earned our disregard or disrespect. It's these values and lessons of life that people of all ages should embrace and adhere by. 😔 It reminds us how forgiveness is one of the strongest traits humans have and that assigning blame is the worst of sins. You never know how painful your words of silence may be or how spiteful your quiet actions can hurt someone without you even willing to accept it. And no matter how many times Mason was pushed down - he always got back up. He was a fighter with a heart that loved and a friend that forgave - it is in his truth that we could all learn something from. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
“I take the picture of my old friend, Benny Kilmartin. I hold it close to my eyes. I think this: I want to see him and see him and see him. Got a feeling inside me. The loving memory of Benny.”
It's books like The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle that remind me why I will never stop reading Middle Grade books. Why I was so upset that Goodreads had removed Best Middle Grade category from their yearly awards. Why I firmly believe that middle grade books truly are books suitable for all ages - because there is so much heart in them that anyone can appreciate. Mason Buttle is twelve years old; fifteen months ago, he lost his best friend, Benny Kilmartin in an unresolved and unexplained and unfortunate accident. Mason has difficulty reading and expressing himself in words, so he voices out his thoughts into a voice modulator, the Dragon, which, in turn, brings them into writing. He's bullied at school - he gains a new best friend in a new classmate, tiny Calvin Chumsky. Benny's parents have not forgiven him for what happened to their son. Lieutenant Baird is still hot on his trail - firmly convinced that Mason is hiding something about the day he found his body - desperate to know the real truth behind Benny's death. And the truth is this.
“Lucky thing to meet someone and know that you like them right away. And they like you. Used to happen more. Not as much now.”
Short story - I really liked reading this. Long story - I thought it was an emotional and heartwarming story with a compassionate protagonist that will make you want to reach in and give him a hug and remind him forever of how loved he is. The story is written as if, indeed it is the truth as told by Mason Buttle - short chapters with slightly disjointed sentences that reflect his inner thoughts and emotions with honesty and candor that show just how deeply affected he is by what he's experiencing. A sweet kind hearted boy who's the victim of relentless bullying and who is still grieving the loss of his best friend. 'I ran back through the orchard and found him. I have said it all before. I can’t do it again. I don’t want to see Benny the way I saw him.' 💔💔 And yet despite all the hardships he faces, Mason never loses his optimism - never loses faith in the innate goodness in others - never wants to believe that people can be capable of such evil, even when they attack him with slurs and fists. It is that innocence and kindness that makes him strike up a friendship with the new kid in town, Calvin. 🥺
Friendship is such a beautiful thing - one of the truest and purest forms of relationships that any living thing is blessed to have. And to lose it - is an unspeakable and unbearable feeling. Calvin may never be enough to replace the hole in Mason's heart after losing Benny, but he was a comfort and support - dare I say it, a friend, when he really needed it. 😊 Along with his loyal dog, Moonie, Calvin helped Mason brave bullies, explore new frontiers, bond over the smallest of things and remind him that it's okay to live - It's okay to ask for help - it's okay to fight back - it's okay to grieve - it's okay to be you. 'Thinking outside the box is a skill. It means your mind is big and open, Mason. If you can think outside the box, you have no limits!' They faced danger, shared hard-earned secrets and celebrated in the joy of being themselves. He was such a firecracker of a character and the way the author put their friendship to the test was such a heartbreaking one, but a vital one to bring Mason a bit closer into finding out what happened to Benny. 😞
“I think this: Benny Kilmartin is a part of my story... So I miss him. But most of all, I miss Benny.”
We never are not told just how dear Benny was to Mason - how much their friendship was so special and how Mason's life was shattered since that day. The memories he shared with him were so heartwarming and sincere, I felt such a pang in my heart at how he's still hurting so badly over it. Not knowing what could have been the cause of his death, but still trying to figure it out while convincing everyone in town that he's not responsible for it - how he's carrying the guilt of blame and uncertainty of not knowing what really happened. 'I guess it was not the best ladder. I told everyone that I was sorry about that. I wish I’d built that better.' 😣 I couldn't understand why everyone - from the police force to Benny's parents to his neighbors - was so determined to paint him as the bad guy... couldn't they see that he was just a young boy who had lost his best friend? Couldn't they accept the truth that he had no part in it, save for being the unfortunate person whose house he was at when he died, when he never covers up anything about what happened that day - honest to a fault? 😟
The way the author built up to the final reveal - when the truth does come out - I was crying. Yes, I am an emotional reader, but every character at that scene - was crying with me. 😭 That chapter will break your heart - I knew what really happened to Benny, the clues were all there. But, the beauty of writing well is the skillful manner in which the author lays out enough context clues for the reader to pick up on them. But, it's not about us to figure out the truth - it is for Mason. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 When your world is crashing down on you - when you see the tragedy for what it really was - the guilt and shame and sense of loss - it's a tumultuous moment where the grief threatens to overwhelm you. A book that can make that sweep of emotions flair through my body and wring my heart dry - I really commend Leslie Connor for succeeding in doing just that. Every time he thought about the tragedy he'll never forget - the words - they cut deep. 😢
“But maybe I can tell you this. It will be okay. Someday. Somehow. Don’t you think?”
Mason's family was an unconventional one, but I think it added an extra flavor to the story. Living at an apple orchard with his grandmother and his uncle, along with Shaynee, his uncle's wayward companion, was a unique setup that provided an extra flavor to the story, a dose of humor and strangeness of those who understood Mason better than anyone and believed in him - without a hint of a doubt. 🤍🤍 When Benny's parents turned away from Mason - cutting him off entirely and forgetting how close the two of them had been - my heart hurt so badly. The boy who had been their son's best friend - 'like brothers from two homes' - didn't they see they weren't alone in their grief? Rather than turning away, would it have hurt them to hurt in their pain together, rather than be so cruel in their pain? 'Having a broken heart is no excuse to break someone else’s.' His family was always there to be the support he needed - to hold him close when the sadness was too much to bear alone. 🫂
Mason's story is a tender and quietly beautiful portrayal of what happens when our good judgment is clouded by the shadows of grief that lead to hasty and harmful decisions. It teaches the vital need not to ignore signs of bullying and to take action before actions do indeed speak louder than words. It touches upon the importance of treating those with disabilities with the utmost kindness and patience because just because they may be different doesn't mean they have earned our disregard or disrespect. It's these values and lessons of life that people of all ages should embrace and adhere by. 😔 It reminds us how forgiveness is one of the strongest traits humans have and that assigning blame is the worst of sins. You never know how painful your words of silence may be or how spiteful your quiet actions can hurt someone without you even willing to accept it. And no matter how many times Mason was pushed down - he always got back up. He was a fighter with a heart that loved and a friend that forgave - it is in his truth that we could all learn something from. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
February 15, 2018
4.5 Stars
“Say what you will. But a person just cannot know what he doesn’t know. And you can’t always see that a bad thing is going to happen before it happens. If you could, no bad would ever come.”
Friendship, family, love and loyalty are all baked into this beautiful, sweet wonder of a book. And Mason. Mason Buttle is the sweetest, sweetest boy ever! He says things like “Holy Cow!” and stands by his friends and always tells the truth no matter what. This big, unforgettable cutie tells his story in his own unique way in Leslie Connor’s The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle.
Twelve year old Mason Buttle has had some hard luck lately. And when I say lately, I mean the last five or six years. The whole Buttle family has been hit. Mason lost his Gramps, then his Mom, and then his best friend—Benny. Bam, bam, Boom! All in a row. Throw in a police investigation into Benny’s death and having to sell off some of the family orchard and….well the Buttle family is barely keeping it together. You can feel the down mood in every dusty, crumbled down corner of their home and hearts. But Mason is still out there trying and living every day. In an honest, sweet, big-hearted voice, one of the most loyal and loving kids in print comes to life. You have to meet this kid!
There is a lot going on here. We have a couple of mysteries to solve, bullies to run from and hopefully stand up to, grief & depression to battle, hope to find, and learning disabilities to learn about and work with. Ms. Blinny, a teacher and powerful source of peace and understanding for Mason, is a glittery super star in my book and this one! A hero! The way she gives these kids a safe haven to be themselves in is a joy to see. Every kid needs a Ms. Blinny in their world. And a Calvin! Tiny Calvin Chumsky and big Mason Buttle make an unstoppable team. A friendship that learns and teaches new things, inspires projects to do, and provides support and comfort against the teasing and apple tossing bullies in town. But when Calvin goes missing, trouble and bad luck comes a’knocking on the Buttle door once again. Can they survive another hard luck hit? I’m not saying. You’re going to have to pick this one up to find out. I will say this though--you’ll be rooting for this whole gang from start to finish.
I’m very happy I met Mason. There was a slow patch in the middle of this book that almost beat me. But boy-o-boy am I happy I kept reading! I was rewarded with a happy, tear filled ending! The way Ms. Connor put this puzzle together piece by piece is absolutely brilliant. Pieces like vantage points, gravity, light shafts, colors, Houdini dogs, and apples all come in to play! At one point, I found myself asking what does this have to do with anything? Well just pay attention because it all fits together. The magic just builds and builds as the pieces of the puzzle start click, click, clicking together!
You have to read this book! A quiet, warm, charming story filled with all the good things in life. A story that shows that we often have to work through hard times to get to the joy in life.
Highly recommended.
March 22, 2021
I really have massivel enjoyed being taken by Lesley Connor into Mason Buttle's world, into his mind and innermost soul. For Mason, he is such a sweetly conceptualised character, a person with simply a humungous and all-encompassing loving heart, who despite his family's many recent and not so recent tragedies, his serious learning challenges, his constant fight against and fear of relentless bullying both at and after school and that in spite of his universally known penchant for always telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth the police and in particular Lieutenant Baird still keep hounding and not really believing Mason regarding the death of his best friend Benny Kilmartin in the Buttle family orchard still manages to face each day honestly, courageously and with a hopeful belief that things might get better (even after his new best friend Calvin Chumsky also disappears for a while and once again Mason is being questioned and viewed with mostly and sadly suspicion by the police).
Now I do well realise that there are some readers (and perhaps even a sizeable minority) who have likely been angered by the fact that in The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, the ending does not feature main bully (chief antagonist, villain) Matty Drinker coming either to any type of understanding regarding his nastiness (and what his behaviour has wrought) or indeed being arrested and officially charged (with at the very least criminal negligence) regarding Benny Kilmartin's death (after Mason's missing handsaw being discovered hidden in the Drinker family's garage clearly presents that it is Matty who sawed through the rung of the Buttle orchard playhouse ladder and caused Benny to fall to his death). But in my own humble opinion, that same ending is in fact while of course painful and aggravatingly infuriating also for all intents and purposes woefully realistic no matter what naysayers may claim to the contrary. And I for one do very much applaud Lesley Connor's honesty and realism, as more often than not in the real world, in real life, vicious bullies like Matty and his cabal of equally vile acolytes are shielded and enabled by not only their families but also by inactive, passive and unwilling to interfere teachers, school officials and yes indeed in The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle also by the police not immediately pressing charges (when it becomes abundantly and totally clear who and what actually has caused Benny's demise). For while yes, of course, I totally would have wanted Matty Drinker facing criminal consequences for causing Benny to have his fatal fall from the playhouse ladder, the fact that he and his mother are able to skedaddle out of town and that the police do not really seem all that willing to pursue the matter any further either is in fact and indeed how often bullying and even violent episodes of the same are allowed to spread and fester, enabled and sometimes even condoned by adults, by supposedly good and decent deemed individuals like teachers, police officers and the like not doing enough, not wishing to rock the boat, not wanting to create more issues, fissures etc. (although I do indeed question a bit why Lieutenant Baird is so constantly hounding Mason about Benny's death, not believing him, but when it then becomes obvious at the end of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle that Matty Drinker is most certainly the main culprit, is the person who obviously caused and precipitated Benny's fall, that he and his mother do not have all that much difficulty skipping town and removing Matty from the limelight of suspicion and that the police is also not all that willing to now pursue the Drinker family and in particular Matty in the same way that Lieutenant Baird had previously been hounding the Buttles, and especially Mason).
And finally, I do therefore definitely and continuously shake my head at in particular those adult readers of novels such as The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle (of realistic children's fiction where nasty and dangerous bullies are not automatically and by necessity totally and utterly caught out and severely punished) vociferously complaining about this, since come on, precisely this type of sad scenario is far too often what absolutely does tend to occur in the real world. For indeed, with regard to realistic fiction for children, I always do prefer truth, reality and not some happy-go-lucky and perfect fantasy of the bullies and the nasties always getting their deserved dues in the end and being held to account for their behaviours and actions (as sorry, but that does not always and yes even only rather rarely happen in life itself).
Now I do well realise that there are some readers (and perhaps even a sizeable minority) who have likely been angered by the fact that in The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, the ending does not feature main bully (chief antagonist, villain) Matty Drinker coming either to any type of understanding regarding his nastiness (and what his behaviour has wrought) or indeed being arrested and officially charged (with at the very least criminal negligence) regarding Benny Kilmartin's death (after Mason's missing handsaw being discovered hidden in the Drinker family's garage clearly presents that it is Matty who sawed through the rung of the Buttle orchard playhouse ladder and caused Benny to fall to his death). But in my own humble opinion, that same ending is in fact while of course painful and aggravatingly infuriating also for all intents and purposes woefully realistic no matter what naysayers may claim to the contrary. And I for one do very much applaud Lesley Connor's honesty and realism, as more often than not in the real world, in real life, vicious bullies like Matty and his cabal of equally vile acolytes are shielded and enabled by not only their families but also by inactive, passive and unwilling to interfere teachers, school officials and yes indeed in The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle also by the police not immediately pressing charges (when it becomes abundantly and totally clear who and what actually has caused Benny's demise). For while yes, of course, I totally would have wanted Matty Drinker facing criminal consequences for causing Benny to have his fatal fall from the playhouse ladder, the fact that he and his mother are able to skedaddle out of town and that the police do not really seem all that willing to pursue the matter any further either is in fact and indeed how often bullying and even violent episodes of the same are allowed to spread and fester, enabled and sometimes even condoned by adults, by supposedly good and decent deemed individuals like teachers, police officers and the like not doing enough, not wishing to rock the boat, not wanting to create more issues, fissures etc. (although I do indeed question a bit why Lieutenant Baird is so constantly hounding Mason about Benny's death, not believing him, but when it then becomes obvious at the end of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle that Matty Drinker is most certainly the main culprit, is the person who obviously caused and precipitated Benny's fall, that he and his mother do not have all that much difficulty skipping town and removing Matty from the limelight of suspicion and that the police is also not all that willing to now pursue the Drinker family and in particular Matty in the same way that Lieutenant Baird had previously been hounding the Buttles, and especially Mason).
And finally, I do therefore definitely and continuously shake my head at in particular those adult readers of novels such as The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle (of realistic children's fiction where nasty and dangerous bullies are not automatically and by necessity totally and utterly caught out and severely punished) vociferously complaining about this, since come on, precisely this type of sad scenario is far too often what absolutely does tend to occur in the real world. For indeed, with regard to realistic fiction for children, I always do prefer truth, reality and not some happy-go-lucky and perfect fantasy of the bullies and the nasties always getting their deserved dues in the end and being held to account for their behaviours and actions (as sorry, but that does not always and yes even only rather rarely happen in life itself).
January 22, 2018
Thank you to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for an ARC of this forthcoming book.
What a wonderful contribution to middle grade literature. This book is a treasure. In a time when many tend to think the worst of their fellow man, along comes Mason Buttle. He has many obstacles in his life yet he treats others with empathy and show wisdom beyond his years. We are given a front row seat in Mason's day-to-day experiences and see every bit from his perspective. Leslie Connor has done a fantastic job in telling this story for Mason while helping us to see his struggles and triumphs in such an authentic way. We can all learn from Mason Buttle. Highly recommended!
What a wonderful contribution to middle grade literature. This book is a treasure. In a time when many tend to think the worst of their fellow man, along comes Mason Buttle. He has many obstacles in his life yet he treats others with empathy and show wisdom beyond his years. We are given a front row seat in Mason's day-to-day experiences and see every bit from his perspective. Leslie Connor has done a fantastic job in telling this story for Mason while helping us to see his struggles and triumphs in such an authentic way. We can all learn from Mason Buttle. Highly recommended!
February 4, 2018
I'm not even going to try and review this book. It's one of those heartprint books for me that there aren't enough adjectives to describe. It will absolutely be on my list of favorite MG books of 2018 list, and it's hard to believe it won't make the top 5. I very rarely cry when I read, but I almost woke my husband up last night as I quietly sniffled my way through a touching scene in this book. Mason is one of my new favorite MG characters, his friendship with Calvin, and Moonie the dog, and his school social worker Ms. Blunt...trust me when I say if you like to feel a connection to your characters, you will feel it in this book. This is a must-read in 2018 in my opinion.
September 3, 2018
My heart is bursting with so many emotions after reading this beautiful book! It deserves every last star because it is absolutely, hands-down, one of the best MG novels I've ever read. I loved Mason! He has the sweetest, kindest heart, and he doesn't allow all the tragedies and bad things in his life as an excuse to be bitter or angry. And did I mention the dog in this story?!? I wished Moonie could jump through the pages so I could give him a good belly-rub! I don't care who you are...you need to read this book!
January 12, 2019
I HATED this book. I literally slammed it shut and threw it across the room.
First, the positives: it's captivatingly written. You feel deeply for the characters, the emotional cores of relationships are strong, and most plot lines are nuanced, not black-and-white. Mason is compelling and gets to evolve across the novel, he cares so deeply for his friends and the neighbor's dog, and the reader cares about him. I was reminded, over and over, of a children's version of Dear Evan Hansen. I read it in one day, even while taking notes for my book club.
Now, my two huge problems, which ultimately mean I will NEVER recommend this book to a child.
First, it's like Wonder, and that’s not a good thing. The author claims she did her research and has some family experience with these issues, but it reads like a privileged white woman writing a "sympathetic" disabled character in order to "humanize" him and create empathy and compassion in "normal" kids. No. Thank. You. Not on my watch. Disabled kids are not your inspiration porn, and I hate that there are still books like this winning awards for being this horrific.
Second, the ending for the villain/bully character is completely and totally unacceptable, especially for 2018. [Edit: I used to hide this paragraph because of spoilers, but you need to know this so you don’t read the damn book, so I’m not hiding it anymore.] Matt is a horrifying bully. He and his friends beat up Mason and Calvin and Benny daily. They chase them, hunt them down, pelt them with lacrosse balls and apples, torment them verbally everywhere, and abuse Matt's dog. No adult stops them; not the bus driver, not teachers, not the school's social worker tasked with making school safe for these disabled kids, not Matt's mom who witnesses her kid doing this multiple times. And THEN, we find out that Matt caused the death of Mason's friend. In shock, Mason responds with "They're just kids, they didn't mean it." Regardless of the character's believable denial of facts, this is boys-will-be-boys HORSESHIT. And to make it worse, the police officer charged with investigating this at-least-premeditated-manslaughter says "Good families will help their children accept responsibility." THEY JUST KILLED SOMEONE. THEY WERE TARGETING THE DISABLED KID AND HIS FRIEND WITH TWO DADS. HOW IS THIS NOT A HATE CRIME?! THIS KID AND HIS MOM SKIP TOWN, YOU THINK FOR ONE F*CKING SECOND SHE IS GOING TO BE A "GOOD FAMILY" AND TURN IN HER KID?! HOW DARE YOU, LESLIE CONNOR.
I cannot convey with all-caps how outraged I am by this. It ruined what was otherwise a well written but cringey book. I could have bitten my tongue and recommended it to fans of Wonder, since they inevitably ask for it in my library. But no. The ending, and honestly it was only the last chapter or two, ruined everything, and I am ashamed to be part of a literary landscape heaping awards on this dumpster pile piece of trash.
First, the positives: it's captivatingly written. You feel deeply for the characters, the emotional cores of relationships are strong, and most plot lines are nuanced, not black-and-white. Mason is compelling and gets to evolve across the novel, he cares so deeply for his friends and the neighbor's dog, and the reader cares about him. I was reminded, over and over, of a children's version of Dear Evan Hansen. I read it in one day, even while taking notes for my book club.
Now, my two huge problems, which ultimately mean I will NEVER recommend this book to a child.
First, it's like Wonder, and that’s not a good thing. The author claims she did her research and has some family experience with these issues, but it reads like a privileged white woman writing a "sympathetic" disabled character in order to "humanize" him and create empathy and compassion in "normal" kids. No. Thank. You. Not on my watch. Disabled kids are not your inspiration porn, and I hate that there are still books like this winning awards for being this horrific.
Second, the ending for the villain/bully character is completely and totally unacceptable, especially for 2018. [Edit: I used to hide this paragraph because of spoilers, but you need to know this so you don’t read the damn book, so I’m not hiding it anymore.] Matt is a horrifying bully. He and his friends beat up Mason and Calvin and Benny daily. They chase them, hunt them down, pelt them with lacrosse balls and apples, torment them verbally everywhere, and abuse Matt's dog. No adult stops them; not the bus driver, not teachers, not the school's social worker tasked with making school safe for these disabled kids, not Matt's mom who witnesses her kid doing this multiple times. And THEN, we find out that Matt caused the death of Mason's friend. In shock, Mason responds with "They're just kids, they didn't mean it." Regardless of the character's believable denial of facts, this is boys-will-be-boys HORSESHIT. And to make it worse, the police officer charged with investigating this at-least-premeditated-manslaughter says "Good families will help their children accept responsibility." THEY JUST KILLED SOMEONE. THEY WERE TARGETING THE DISABLED KID AND HIS FRIEND WITH TWO DADS. HOW IS THIS NOT A HATE CRIME?! THIS KID AND HIS MOM SKIP TOWN, YOU THINK FOR ONE F*CKING SECOND SHE IS GOING TO BE A "GOOD FAMILY" AND TURN IN HER KID?! HOW DARE YOU, LESLIE CONNOR.
I cannot convey with all-caps how outraged I am by this. It ruined what was otherwise a well written but cringey book. I could have bitten my tongue and recommended it to fans of Wonder, since they inevitably ask for it in my library. But no. The ending, and honestly it was only the last chapter or two, ruined everything, and I am ashamed to be part of a literary landscape heaping awards on this dumpster pile piece of trash.
October 22, 2022
Der Klappentext spoilert hier mal wieder leider sehr. Warum man Ereignisse, die erst im letzten Drittel passieren, schon hier erwähnen muss, bleibt mir wohl immer ein Rätsel. Das nimmt zum einen eine gewisse Spannung, zum anderen kann es das, was vorher passiert, langatmig erscheinen lassen, weil man genau darauf wartet. Deshalb lieber von der Geschichte überraschen lassen, so wie ich das gemacht hab :)
Der Einstieg war für mich nicht ganz so leicht. Erzählt wird ja aus der Sicht von Mason Buttle, einem 12jährigen, der allerdings beim Denken nicht der schnellste ist und vor allem beim Lesen und Schreiben Schwierigkeiten hat. Dass er nicht so schnell Zusammenhänge kapiert, heißt aber nicht, dass er dumm ist. Im Gegenteil sieht man hier, wie jemand, der auf "einfache" Weise denkt und nicht mit so vielen Vorurteilen befrachtet ist, das Leben und die Menschen um sich herum betrachtet.
"Es zeichnet einen Menschen aus, wenn er nicht in eine feste Schublade passt. Es bedeutet, dass du ein offenes, außergewöhnliches Wesen bist, Mason. Und wenn du nicht in Schubladen denkst, heißt das, dass du keine festgefahrenen Meinungen hast."
Zitat
Diese schöne Weisheit sagt Miss Blinny zu ihm. Die Schulsozialarbeiterin. Eine etwas zerstreute, äußerst liebenswürdige Person mit viel Empathie, die immer für Mason da ist und ihm hilft. Ich mochte sie sehr, weil sie auf ihre spleenige Art ein gutes Gespür dafür hat, wie sie mit all den Außenseitern umgehen soll, die zur ihr geschickt werden. Nämlich ganz normal und mit dem richtigen Gespür.
Es geht hier viel um Mobbing - und zwar auf eine ziemlich fiese Art, die Mason aber gut zu handhaben weiß. Vor allem, seit er in Calvin einen neuen Freund gefunden hat. Calvin ist das genaue Gegenteil von ihm: klein, dünn und "schlau". Mit seinem Tablet findet er jedes Mal die interessantesten Dinge heraus und obwohl er ein Stubenhocker ist, lässt er sich von Mason immer wieder auf die weitläufige Plantage seiner Familie führen, auf der sie tollsten Sachen spielen und erleben. Und zwar so, wie ich finde, dass Kinder spielen können sollten: unter freiem Himmel, mit viel Platz und vielen Möglichkeiten, sich auszuprobieren. Das hat beim Lesen wirklich viel Spaß gemacht die beiden zu begleiten!
Überhaupt ist die Beziehung der beiden so toll! Jeder von ihnen hat seine Stärken und Schwächen, die sie nicht gegeneinander ausnutzen, sondern gegenseitig aufheben und Verständnis zeigen, auch ohne Worte. Akzeptanz und Vertrauen lässt sie füreinander da sein und sich gegenseitig respektieren.
Aber in Masons Leben geht es auch um Verlust. Seine Mutter starb als er noch klein war und im letzten Frühjahr hat er seinen besten Freund Benny verloren. Das war alles nicht einfach für ihn und er muss gegen viele Vorurteile kämpfen, die er gar nicht wirklich versteht. Er nimmt alles in seiner ganz speziellen Wahrnehmung auf, was es ihm oft nicht möglich macht, hinter die Masken zu blicken oder Feinheiten zu erkennen, die ihn betreffen. Er nimmt alles als "wahr" hin, weil er selbst so offenherzig ist.
Außerdem steckt er voller liebenswerter Eigenschaften, die er auf seine eigene Art zeigt. In seiner Freundschaft zu Calvin, im Verständnis für seine Familie, oder auch zum Nachbarhund Moonie.
Neben Freundschaft geht es aber auch um den Zusammenhalt in der Familie. Nur noch seine Grandma und sein Onkel Drum leben in der "Bruchbude", dem Haus in dem es so viel zu tun gäbe, das aber seit Jahren sozusagen brach liegt. Die Erwachsenen scheinen in einer Phase festzustecken, in der nichts vorwärts geht. In der sie alles irgendwie weiterlaufen lassen, ohne wirklich zu leben.
Dafür stehen sie aber immer felsenfest hinter Mason. Zum einen lassen sie ihm seinen Freiraum, zum anderen sind sie immer für ihn da, wenn Lieutenant Baird vor der Tür steht. Seit dem Tod von Benny taucht dieser nämlich immer wieder mit auf, die Mason nicht beantworten kann und auch nicht versteht, welcher Sinn dahinter steckt.
Schwere Momente für Mason, den der Verlust von Benny noch immer zutiefst erschüttert.
Neben einigen traurigen Momenten ist es ein herzerwämendes Buch. Dem Lesealter angemessen aber dennoch auf gewisse Weise auch anspruchsvoll. Man sollte wissen, dass es das Thema Tod, Verlust, Trauer und Schuldgefühle in sich trägt, um zu überlegen ob es fürs eigene Kind gerade vom Zeitpunkt her passt.
Es muss anfangs etwas in Schwung kommen, aber dann berührt es einfach nur noch. Wunderschön, traurig und zu Herzen gehend hat Masons Geschichte einen ganz besonderen Platz bei mir gefunden.
Der Einstieg war für mich nicht ganz so leicht. Erzählt wird ja aus der Sicht von Mason Buttle, einem 12jährigen, der allerdings beim Denken nicht der schnellste ist und vor allem beim Lesen und Schreiben Schwierigkeiten hat. Dass er nicht so schnell Zusammenhänge kapiert, heißt aber nicht, dass er dumm ist. Im Gegenteil sieht man hier, wie jemand, der auf "einfache" Weise denkt und nicht mit so vielen Vorurteilen befrachtet ist, das Leben und die Menschen um sich herum betrachtet.
"Es zeichnet einen Menschen aus, wenn er nicht in eine feste Schublade passt. Es bedeutet, dass du ein offenes, außergewöhnliches Wesen bist, Mason. Und wenn du nicht in Schubladen denkst, heißt das, dass du keine festgefahrenen Meinungen hast."
Zitat
Diese schöne Weisheit sagt Miss Blinny zu ihm. Die Schulsozialarbeiterin. Eine etwas zerstreute, äußerst liebenswürdige Person mit viel Empathie, die immer für Mason da ist und ihm hilft. Ich mochte sie sehr, weil sie auf ihre spleenige Art ein gutes Gespür dafür hat, wie sie mit all den Außenseitern umgehen soll, die zur ihr geschickt werden. Nämlich ganz normal und mit dem richtigen Gespür.
Es geht hier viel um Mobbing - und zwar auf eine ziemlich fiese Art, die Mason aber gut zu handhaben weiß. Vor allem, seit er in Calvin einen neuen Freund gefunden hat. Calvin ist das genaue Gegenteil von ihm: klein, dünn und "schlau". Mit seinem Tablet findet er jedes Mal die interessantesten Dinge heraus und obwohl er ein Stubenhocker ist, lässt er sich von Mason immer wieder auf die weitläufige Plantage seiner Familie führen, auf der sie tollsten Sachen spielen und erleben. Und zwar so, wie ich finde, dass Kinder spielen können sollten: unter freiem Himmel, mit viel Platz und vielen Möglichkeiten, sich auszuprobieren. Das hat beim Lesen wirklich viel Spaß gemacht die beiden zu begleiten!
Überhaupt ist die Beziehung der beiden so toll! Jeder von ihnen hat seine Stärken und Schwächen, die sie nicht gegeneinander ausnutzen, sondern gegenseitig aufheben und Verständnis zeigen, auch ohne Worte. Akzeptanz und Vertrauen lässt sie füreinander da sein und sich gegenseitig respektieren.
Aber in Masons Leben geht es auch um Verlust. Seine Mutter starb als er noch klein war und im letzten Frühjahr hat er seinen besten Freund Benny verloren. Das war alles nicht einfach für ihn und er muss gegen viele Vorurteile kämpfen, die er gar nicht wirklich versteht. Er nimmt alles in seiner ganz speziellen Wahrnehmung auf, was es ihm oft nicht möglich macht, hinter die Masken zu blicken oder Feinheiten zu erkennen, die ihn betreffen. Er nimmt alles als "wahr" hin, weil er selbst so offenherzig ist.
Außerdem steckt er voller liebenswerter Eigenschaften, die er auf seine eigene Art zeigt. In seiner Freundschaft zu Calvin, im Verständnis für seine Familie, oder auch zum Nachbarhund Moonie.
Neben Freundschaft geht es aber auch um den Zusammenhalt in der Familie. Nur noch seine Grandma und sein Onkel Drum leben in der "Bruchbude", dem Haus in dem es so viel zu tun gäbe, das aber seit Jahren sozusagen brach liegt. Die Erwachsenen scheinen in einer Phase festzustecken, in der nichts vorwärts geht. In der sie alles irgendwie weiterlaufen lassen, ohne wirklich zu leben.
Dafür stehen sie aber immer felsenfest hinter Mason. Zum einen lassen sie ihm seinen Freiraum, zum anderen sind sie immer für ihn da, wenn Lieutenant Baird vor der Tür steht. Seit dem Tod von Benny taucht dieser nämlich immer wieder mit auf, die Mason nicht beantworten kann und auch nicht versteht, welcher Sinn dahinter steckt.
Schwere Momente für Mason, den der Verlust von Benny noch immer zutiefst erschüttert.
Neben einigen traurigen Momenten ist es ein herzerwämendes Buch. Dem Lesealter angemessen aber dennoch auf gewisse Weise auch anspruchsvoll. Man sollte wissen, dass es das Thema Tod, Verlust, Trauer und Schuldgefühle in sich trägt, um zu überlegen ob es fürs eigene Kind gerade vom Zeitpunkt her passt.
Es muss anfangs etwas in Schwung kommen, aber dann berührt es einfach nur noch. Wunderschön, traurig und zu Herzen gehend hat Masons Geschichte einen ganz besonderen Platz bei mir gefunden.
October 12, 2023
به نظرم این کتاب از اون دست کتابهاییه که تمام بچهها باید بخونن. کتاب سرشار از مفاهیم عمیق انسانی و انسان دوستیه. در عین حال که غم میسون رو نشون میده، طریقه مواجهه با غم رو نشون میده و از انسان دوستی میگه. پیشنهاد بسیار خوبی برای کودکان و نوجوانانه
February 15, 2018
This book grabbed me and would not let me go. Mason Buttles will live in my heart for a long, long time.
December 21, 2017
Mason Buttle is a character I won't soon forget. He is bigger than most of the other seventh graders, he sweats a lot, he can't read or write well and he's relentlessly teased for all of the above. After the death of his best friend Benny he's trying to put back the pieces of his life. This is no easy feat as his family and their apple orchard are being pushed out by developers, the town lieutenant won't give up on the story of Benny's death and the mean-spirited neighbor kids will not leave him be. But Mason persists. He keeps writing down his truths with the help of new technology in his school and the dedication of a fabulous social worker who teaches him that all these bad things are just preparation for what's to come. With his new friend Calvin and the neighbor's dog Moonie by his side, Mason starts to believe things must be turning around - until Calvin goes missing and the aftermath of that spirals into more and more truths being uncovered. The ending of this could ultimately be considered sad or tragic, but Mason's outlook surely is not. Mason and his story are courageous, full of love and hope. I'd hand this to kids grades five and up, adults and those who can't get enough of Wonder.
January 7, 2021
What a beautiful story of friendship, truth, and empathy. The book's setting felt really close to home for us as we reside in New Hampshire. We felt so connected to Mason and Calvin. This book is truly relevant to our students today and I am so glad that we read it together as it brought up many life lessons!
We finished today! I had to hold back my tears as we found out the truth of what really happened to Benny Kilmartin. What a journey this book took us on! I can't wait to read it to my class again next year!
We finished today! I had to hold back my tears as we found out the truth of what really happened to Benny Kilmartin. What a journey this book took us on! I can't wait to read it to my class again next year!
February 2, 2018
THIS. BOOK! 😍 You were all right! It’s amazing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by @heyleslieconnor
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Mason Buttle struggles in school and he lives on a derelict Apple farm with his grandmother, his unemployed uncle and Shayleen, a depressed young girl with a shopping habit. Mason is also horribly bullied by Matt Drinker and Lance Pierson. Worst of all, Mason’s best friend, Benny Kilmartin died just over a year ago and Lieutenant Baird won’t stop asking Mason questions about it. Things are turning around, though. Mason has the unwavering support of Ms. Blunt, the school social worker, and a new friend, Calvin, along with the loyalty of his neighbor’s dog who really likes Mason best. Can Mason find out what happened to Benny and redeem himself?
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I started this last night and finished it this afternoon during lunch (I was probably the only one at the tech conference hiding in a corner with a book!). I completely fell in love with Mason, his friend Calvin and sweet Moonie the dog. About halfway through I realized I wanted to read this aloud to my 6th grade lunch bunch and I immediately emailed the author to set up a @Skype visit. This book just begs to be read aloud—I can’t wait to talk about it with students. MASON BUTTLE is a mystery, but first and foremost a book about believing in oneself and finding redemption. I’m not surprised by how much I loved this book—I regularly recommend @heyleslieconnor other books, especially WAITING FOR NORMAL, which I personally loved. Put this one on your order lists if you haven’t already! Great for grades 5+.
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#bookstagram #book #reading #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaholic #booknerd #bookgram #librarian #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #booklove #booktography #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookaddict #booknerdigans #booknerd #ilovereading #instabook #futurereadylibs #ISTElibs #TLChat
_*_*_*_*_*
Mason Buttle struggles in school and he lives on a derelict Apple farm with his grandmother, his unemployed uncle and Shayleen, a depressed young girl with a shopping habit. Mason is also horribly bullied by Matt Drinker and Lance Pierson. Worst of all, Mason’s best friend, Benny Kilmartin died just over a year ago and Lieutenant Baird won’t stop asking Mason questions about it. Things are turning around, though. Mason has the unwavering support of Ms. Blunt, the school social worker, and a new friend, Calvin, along with the loyalty of his neighbor’s dog who really likes Mason best. Can Mason find out what happened to Benny and redeem himself?
_*_*_*_*_*
I started this last night and finished it this afternoon during lunch (I was probably the only one at the tech conference hiding in a corner with a book!). I completely fell in love with Mason, his friend Calvin and sweet Moonie the dog. About halfway through I realized I wanted to read this aloud to my 6th grade lunch bunch and I immediately emailed the author to set up a @Skype visit. This book just begs to be read aloud—I can’t wait to talk about it with students. MASON BUTTLE is a mystery, but first and foremost a book about believing in oneself and finding redemption. I’m not surprised by how much I loved this book—I regularly recommend @heyleslieconnor other books, especially WAITING FOR NORMAL, which I personally loved. Put this one on your order lists if you haven’t already! Great for grades 5+.
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#bookstagram #book #reading #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaholic #booknerd #bookgram #librarian #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #booklove #booktography #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookaddict #booknerdigans #booknerd #ilovereading #instabook #futurereadylibs #ISTElibs #TLChat
May 29, 2019
Lovely. And I very much appreciate how it subverts so many cliches. For example, I predicted that . There are other things that are a little trope-y, like the Freak the Mighty odd couple friendship (Connor even uses the word "mighty"), and the counselor who is too good to be true (and has a school that lets her do her thing). But it's a book that is both engrossing and valuable, and I will continue to read more by the author.
Even most of the other characters are realistically complex. Grandma is a bit saintly, but not as much as the characters filling a similar role in other stories. And I was glad to learn about Drum's pov on Shayleen. Annalissetta is funny and real, too.
And Drum, well, I never saw a more clear example of depression sketched so concisely, with no actual explication, It was so exasperating to gradually get to know him and to think one moment that he's a good guy, protecting Mason from Baird, and the next that he's stupid, letting Shayleen use the credit card, and the next thinking he's useless for selling off the orchards instead of getting a job.
Even most of the other characters are realistically complex. Grandma is a bit saintly, but not as much as the characters filling a similar role in other stories. And I was glad to learn about Drum's pov on Shayleen. Annalissetta is funny and real, too.
And Drum, well, I never saw a more clear example of depression sketched so concisely, with no actual explication, It was so exasperating to gradually get to know him and to think one moment that he's a good guy, protecting Mason from Baird, and the next that he's stupid, letting Shayleen use the credit card, and the next thinking he's useless for selling off the orchards instead of getting a job.
March 30, 2020
I'm a bit disappointed with this book because I thought I would rate it higher. I liked a lot of aspects: Mason's voice is incredibly unique, the audiobook narration is wonderful, the friendships and issues explored as worthy of kidlit (esp. the way differently-abled kids are depicted). But this book is slow, and sad, and at times left me questioning the bigger message. I think overall it attempted to be a book about a boy who is oftentimes the scapegoat/the one blamed while other kids around him are bullying other children to extremes. I wish it kept me more engaged - it took me more than two weeks to finally finish.
June 9, 2019
I love these characters. Mason and Calvin are caring and friendly. Mason seeks the best in everyone. Unfortunately, Matt and his posse are also relatable. It's not as easy a read as its Lexile would suggest. In fact, many middle schoolers will need some help with Mason's diction, and Calvin's vocabulary. Leslie Connor has told another wonderful, rich story with deep roots.
October 16, 2018
There’s a scene at the end that almost bumped it up to 4 stars but I gotta stick with my gut. Great voice but too long and a little unfocused.
March 23, 2018
Richie’s Picks: THE TRUTH AS TOLD BY MASON BUTTLE by Leslie Connor, HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen, January 2018, 336p., ISBN: 978-0-06-249143-5
“No one I think is in my tree
I mean it must be high or low”
--Lennon/McCartney (1967)
“Some people might think they already know my story. That’s just because they live around here. Some stuff is plain. Some stuff is right where you can see it.
If you lived in Merrimack you might know our place. It’s the crumbledown house out on Swaggertown Road. Sits a good bit of acres that used to be a whole lot more. Developers. My Uncle Drum says we can’t live without them. My grandma says we should have tried.
You might know our orchard. You might remember it looking alive as a hive late in the summer. PYO. Pick Your Own.
If you are like me your eyes about pop out of your head at how quick the developers dozered down the trees. They are still building. New houses. Up the hill and down the hill from our place. You might look at our house sitting in the middle and wonder why it looks like somebody emptied a dustpan over it.
I try. I sweep up the porch. Pull weeds in the front. But I am now and then about it. I don’t keep up. Uncle Drum says just leave it. Then another shingle drops off the roof. Lands in the yard.
But it is still home. The place I start from every day. If I had a story to tell it might begin there. But tell you what. It would not be long before I got to the parts that could ruin anybody’s lunch.”
No, he didn’t ruin my lunch but, as Mason Buttle’s coming-of-age story reached a climax, it did bring me to tears. That’s toward the end. At the beginning of Mason’s tale, we encounter a series of puzzling questions and situations, and wonder how they might be related to one another:
The Buttles have owned these apple orchards for generations. Why have the house and orchards now fallen into such an extreme state of disrepair? Why has Uncle Drum been selling off the acreage?
What’s wrong with Uncle Drum, who sits around in the diner all day doing nothing. Why has he brought home a young runaway woman he encountered at the diner, who couldn’t pay for her meal? Why did he give her Mason’s bedroom to live in, and often provide her his credit card to indulge her obsession with TV shopping channels?
Why does Mason see colors that aren’t there for anyone else? Why does he see words swirl when he tries to read, and why does he sweat so much? How can he be so equanimous about his disabilities and being constantly bullied?
Most importantly, what really happened to Mason’s long-time best friend, Benny Kilmartin?
Mason was the one to find Benny dead at the base of the treehouse in the middle of the Buttle apple orchards. That was a year-and-a-half ago. Lieutenant Baird from the Merrimack P.D. has spent that year-and-a-half relentlessly pressuring Mason for additional information that he’s sure Mason is withholding about Benny’s death.
In addition to Lieutenant Baird, two of Mason’s peers, sadistic lacrosse players Matt Drinker and sidekick Lance Pierson, are making Mason’s life a living hell with their daily verbal and physical attacks. Matt lives in one of those houses built on what had been part of the Buttle apple orchards. Complicating the situation is that Matt’s mother often hires Mason to take care of their dog Moonie.
Fortunately, Mason, the largest seventh grader in the school, becomes friends with Calvin Chumsky, a smart, inquisitive kid and one of the smallest kids in the school. Calvin also lives in a new house on former Buttle land. The real heart of Mason’s story is the friendship that develops between the pair. When he’s with Calvin, we can see the stand-up kid Mason Buttle is.
Mason does find some refuges. In school, he often hangs out in SWOOF, the office of caring and empathic social worker Ms. Blinny. She sets Mason up with dictation software that enables him to tell his story and try to puzzle out what happened to Benny without needing to put pen to paper. At home, to escape from the bullies, he and Calvin construct an amazing subterranean hideout that includes painted replicas of the artwork in the famous Lascaux caves in France. With Ms. Blinny and Calvin there for him, life is tolerable.
But the sudden development of a new mystery brings everything to a head. The innocent and naive Mason comes to realize, for the first time, that townspeople and Lieutenant Baird, and even Benny’s parents, believe he was involved in Benny’s death. This devastates him.
There are intriguing aspects to just about every character in the story. I love the character development in Mason as well as the members of the supporting cast: Calvin, Uncle Drum and Grandma, the cop, the young woman living with the Buttles, and the social worker. Hey, even the dog is a character I won’t soon forget.
The character I’m still trying to get my head around is Matt Drinker’s mother. There are lots of books for young people that include bully characters, but so few of them give us a look at the parent of a bully the way that this book does.
One the one hand, Mrs. Drinker is kind to Mason. On the other hand, she lets her son abuse Mason. Far into the story, there is a scene in which Mason is running from Matt, with the not-so-small dog Moonie in his arms. Seemingly oblivious to his own well being, Mason is desperately trying to reach the Drinker’s house and get Moonie to safety before Matt can hurt the dog. Just as Mason successfully reaches the Drinker house:
“I call, ‘Mrs. Drinker! Hey, Mrs. Drinker!’ I see the back door crack open. I say, ‘Brought Moonie ba--’
BAM!
Matt’s whole body hits my whole body. He leads with that lacrosse stick going sideways. I lose my hold on Moonie. He slips to the ground. I am bashed smack into the side of the Drinker house. A big grunt comes out of me. A pain shoots up my elbow. Good thing is, I see Moonie scoot away. Just fine.”
How does Mrs. Drinker respond, having just observed what her son just did to Mason? She does next to nothing! She asks Mason if he’s okay and calmly tells Matt that he has to go in the house and that his friends have to leave. Matt has no shame. First he argues against going in and, when Mrs. Drinker puts her foot down and insists that Matt do so, Matt shoves her aside as he enters the house.
What gives with this kid? In this age of #MeToo, seeing how Matt Drinker treats his mother without consequences, I cannot help but anticipate that it will be only a few years before Matt is unashamedly taking whatever he wants from whichever young women are unlucky enough to attract his attention.
Has Mrs. Drinker, herself, been a victim of abuse? Is Matt’s behavior the result of indulgent parenting going awry? Kids like Matt don’t develop into adolescent bullies without the parents knowing it. What role has Mrs. Drinker played in this development?
There are so many facets to this story. Together, they make for a powerful, captivating, and heartwarming read about a kid who is truthful, loyal, and trusting. The only thing missing are instructions for the yummy apple crisps his grandmother bakes. But don’t worry; I make apple crisps all the time. Feel free to email me and I’ll send you my recipe.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“No one I think is in my tree
I mean it must be high or low”
--Lennon/McCartney (1967)
“Some people might think they already know my story. That’s just because they live around here. Some stuff is plain. Some stuff is right where you can see it.
If you lived in Merrimack you might know our place. It’s the crumbledown house out on Swaggertown Road. Sits a good bit of acres that used to be a whole lot more. Developers. My Uncle Drum says we can’t live without them. My grandma says we should have tried.
You might know our orchard. You might remember it looking alive as a hive late in the summer. PYO. Pick Your Own.
If you are like me your eyes about pop out of your head at how quick the developers dozered down the trees. They are still building. New houses. Up the hill and down the hill from our place. You might look at our house sitting in the middle and wonder why it looks like somebody emptied a dustpan over it.
I try. I sweep up the porch. Pull weeds in the front. But I am now and then about it. I don’t keep up. Uncle Drum says just leave it. Then another shingle drops off the roof. Lands in the yard.
But it is still home. The place I start from every day. If I had a story to tell it might begin there. But tell you what. It would not be long before I got to the parts that could ruin anybody’s lunch.”
No, he didn’t ruin my lunch but, as Mason Buttle’s coming-of-age story reached a climax, it did bring me to tears. That’s toward the end. At the beginning of Mason’s tale, we encounter a series of puzzling questions and situations, and wonder how they might be related to one another:
The Buttles have owned these apple orchards for generations. Why have the house and orchards now fallen into such an extreme state of disrepair? Why has Uncle Drum been selling off the acreage?
What’s wrong with Uncle Drum, who sits around in the diner all day doing nothing. Why has he brought home a young runaway woman he encountered at the diner, who couldn’t pay for her meal? Why did he give her Mason’s bedroom to live in, and often provide her his credit card to indulge her obsession with TV shopping channels?
Why does Mason see colors that aren’t there for anyone else? Why does he see words swirl when he tries to read, and why does he sweat so much? How can he be so equanimous about his disabilities and being constantly bullied?
Most importantly, what really happened to Mason’s long-time best friend, Benny Kilmartin?
Mason was the one to find Benny dead at the base of the treehouse in the middle of the Buttle apple orchards. That was a year-and-a-half ago. Lieutenant Baird from the Merrimack P.D. has spent that year-and-a-half relentlessly pressuring Mason for additional information that he’s sure Mason is withholding about Benny’s death.
In addition to Lieutenant Baird, two of Mason’s peers, sadistic lacrosse players Matt Drinker and sidekick Lance Pierson, are making Mason’s life a living hell with their daily verbal and physical attacks. Matt lives in one of those houses built on what had been part of the Buttle apple orchards. Complicating the situation is that Matt’s mother often hires Mason to take care of their dog Moonie.
Fortunately, Mason, the largest seventh grader in the school, becomes friends with Calvin Chumsky, a smart, inquisitive kid and one of the smallest kids in the school. Calvin also lives in a new house on former Buttle land. The real heart of Mason’s story is the friendship that develops between the pair. When he’s with Calvin, we can see the stand-up kid Mason Buttle is.
Mason does find some refuges. In school, he often hangs out in SWOOF, the office of caring and empathic social worker Ms. Blinny. She sets Mason up with dictation software that enables him to tell his story and try to puzzle out what happened to Benny without needing to put pen to paper. At home, to escape from the bullies, he and Calvin construct an amazing subterranean hideout that includes painted replicas of the artwork in the famous Lascaux caves in France. With Ms. Blinny and Calvin there for him, life is tolerable.
But the sudden development of a new mystery brings everything to a head. The innocent and naive Mason comes to realize, for the first time, that townspeople and Lieutenant Baird, and even Benny’s parents, believe he was involved in Benny’s death. This devastates him.
There are intriguing aspects to just about every character in the story. I love the character development in Mason as well as the members of the supporting cast: Calvin, Uncle Drum and Grandma, the cop, the young woman living with the Buttles, and the social worker. Hey, even the dog is a character I won’t soon forget.
The character I’m still trying to get my head around is Matt Drinker’s mother. There are lots of books for young people that include bully characters, but so few of them give us a look at the parent of a bully the way that this book does.
One the one hand, Mrs. Drinker is kind to Mason. On the other hand, she lets her son abuse Mason. Far into the story, there is a scene in which Mason is running from Matt, with the not-so-small dog Moonie in his arms. Seemingly oblivious to his own well being, Mason is desperately trying to reach the Drinker’s house and get Moonie to safety before Matt can hurt the dog. Just as Mason successfully reaches the Drinker house:
“I call, ‘Mrs. Drinker! Hey, Mrs. Drinker!’ I see the back door crack open. I say, ‘Brought Moonie ba--’
BAM!
Matt’s whole body hits my whole body. He leads with that lacrosse stick going sideways. I lose my hold on Moonie. He slips to the ground. I am bashed smack into the side of the Drinker house. A big grunt comes out of me. A pain shoots up my elbow. Good thing is, I see Moonie scoot away. Just fine.”
How does Mrs. Drinker respond, having just observed what her son just did to Mason? She does next to nothing! She asks Mason if he’s okay and calmly tells Matt that he has to go in the house and that his friends have to leave. Matt has no shame. First he argues against going in and, when Mrs. Drinker puts her foot down and insists that Matt do so, Matt shoves her aside as he enters the house.
What gives with this kid? In this age of #MeToo, seeing how Matt Drinker treats his mother without consequences, I cannot help but anticipate that it will be only a few years before Matt is unashamedly taking whatever he wants from whichever young women are unlucky enough to attract his attention.
Has Mrs. Drinker, herself, been a victim of abuse? Is Matt’s behavior the result of indulgent parenting going awry? Kids like Matt don’t develop into adolescent bullies without the parents knowing it. What role has Mrs. Drinker played in this development?
There are so many facets to this story. Together, they make for a powerful, captivating, and heartwarming read about a kid who is truthful, loyal, and trusting. The only thing missing are instructions for the yummy apple crisps his grandmother bakes. But don’t worry; I make apple crisps all the time. Feel free to email me and I’ll send you my recipe.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
February 16, 2020
Mason Buttle carries the weight of so many issue, he is the biggest kid in his grade, he sweats profusely, he is bullied by a couple of his classmates, he is being "followed" by Lieutenant Baird of the local police because the officer believes that Mason knows more about the death of Mason's best friend, Benny Kilmartin. Add to that Mason has learning issues regarding reading, and he "sees" colors for his emotions. And he lives in the weirdest house, with the weirdest family ever.
The only main source of love that Mason ever receives is from the neighbor's dog, Moonie, who Mason takes care of when the neighbors go away. Until....
New kid to the neighborhood, Calvin Chumsky becomes Mason's best friend. What Calvin isn't is BIG, he's "tiny" so he's picked on by the bullies as well, on the other hand, Calvin is funny and philosophical, who brings out the best in Mason.
A lesson to be learned by all, the lieutenant, the bullies, Mason, Calvin, Benny's family and Mason's own family
The only main source of love that Mason ever receives is from the neighbor's dog, Moonie, who Mason takes care of when the neighbors go away. Until....
New kid to the neighborhood, Calvin Chumsky becomes Mason's best friend. What Calvin isn't is BIG, he's "tiny" so he's picked on by the bullies as well, on the other hand, Calvin is funny and philosophical, who brings out the best in Mason.
A lesson to be learned by all, the lieutenant, the bullies, Mason, Calvin, Benny's family and Mason's own family
September 25, 2018
Tell you what, there is lots to like about this story: Mason, Mason's voice, his relationship with Calvin, the dog, the school counselor. But there are lots of jangly threads that don't work: the agonizing slow pace, lack of forward momentum, the weirdly executed police investigation, the lack of motivation and remorse of the flat-out evil bullies, and the forced coincidence that got them all in the garage at the same time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2018
From the author of All Stand for the Honorable Perry T. Cook, this book has an equally sincere young narrator in Mason Buttle. A heartbreaking story about tragedy and misunderstandings with a very satisfying ending. Ages 10 and up.
January 15, 2019
One of the very best middle grade readers of the year. Should warrant an award in 2019
November 2, 2021
ندونستن همیشه خیلی خوشحال کننده است، یعنی دونستن، همیشه آدم رو مضطرب و پریشون میکنه و این سخته.
February 9, 2020
This book is nominated for the Colorado Children's Book Award. I've been book talking it with my classes, and when I try to explain who Mason Buttle is all I can do it say, poor Mason. He has a tough life.
Today I finished the book and I have something else to say. Mason is one of those book characters that makes you feel like you would be lucky to have him for a friend.
And, I made apple crisp from scratch tonight! Yummy.
Today I finished the book and I have something else to say. Mason is one of those book characters that makes you feel like you would be lucky to have him for a friend.
And, I made apple crisp from scratch tonight! Yummy.
October 15, 2017
“You should know. There has been a lot of bad luck. Around me. Like, it follows me.” This quote perfectly sums up the young life of Mason in @heyleslieconnor’s latest book The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle.
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Mason stands out in his grade, not only because he is the biggest and sweatiest, but he can hardly read or write. Add to this the never-ending bullying by some neighborhood boys, his grief over the death of his best friend, Benny, a little over a year ago in Mason’s family’s orchard, and the constant hounding by the local police that Mason knows more than he is telling about that tragic day. A new friendship with a boy from school, Calvin, is making everyday life a little easier for Mason, especially when the boys create a secret hideout away from the bullies. But when Calvin goes missing, Mason finds himself back in a situation that’s all too familiar. Will Calvin be found or will the string of bad luck surrounding Mason continue?
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A book full of courage, friendship, and hope, Mason Buttle and his story will be one that will tug at your heartstrings, and one you won’t forget for a long time. I can’t wait for you to meet him when this book is released in January 2018. 👦🏻🐶🌳🍎🎤🖥🖨📄🚓
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Mason stands out in his grade, not only because he is the biggest and sweatiest, but he can hardly read or write. Add to this the never-ending bullying by some neighborhood boys, his grief over the death of his best friend, Benny, a little over a year ago in Mason’s family’s orchard, and the constant hounding by the local police that Mason knows more than he is telling about that tragic day. A new friendship with a boy from school, Calvin, is making everyday life a little easier for Mason, especially when the boys create a secret hideout away from the bullies. But when Calvin goes missing, Mason finds himself back in a situation that’s all too familiar. Will Calvin be found or will the string of bad luck surrounding Mason continue?
.
A book full of courage, friendship, and hope, Mason Buttle and his story will be one that will tug at your heartstrings, and one you won’t forget for a long time. I can’t wait for you to meet him when this book is released in January 2018. 👦🏻🐶🌳🍎🎤🖥🖨📄🚓
October 24, 2018
Amazing book - because it’s written in the voice of Mason Buttle, the largest and sweatiest boy in his class, who has trouble reading and a heart of oak. He is stalwart and loyal, and doesn’t realize that he is suspected of a crime, which makes him something of a pariah.
His lack of comprehension mirrors the reader’s as we slowly unravel the facts and pick up clues before he does.
His team of supporters - the special needs teacher at school, his uncle and grandmother, and his new best friend Calvin, also an outlier in the school hierarchy because he’s smarter than the others - support him throughout.
And there’s Moonie, the neighbor’s dog, who prefers Mason over his unkind owner.
All in all, a completely convincing character whom we come (very quickly) not just to love, but to respect for his loyalty and inability to tell a lie.
Read it no matter what your age. It’s brilliant.
His lack of comprehension mirrors the reader’s as we slowly unravel the facts and pick up clues before he does.
His team of supporters - the special needs teacher at school, his uncle and grandmother, and his new best friend Calvin, also an outlier in the school hierarchy because he’s smarter than the others - support him throughout.
And there’s Moonie, the neighbor’s dog, who prefers Mason over his unkind owner.
All in all, a completely convincing character whom we come (very quickly) not just to love, but to respect for his loyalty and inability to tell a lie.
Read it no matter what your age. It’s brilliant.
January 2, 2021
The story was good but the writing style drove me crazy. There are so many short sentences and sentence fragments that the book was choppy and hard to read. I understand that Connor was trying to express Mason’s learning difficulties, but I think that even kids who can’t write or read well can still *think* fluidly. The writing made it hard to appreciate Mason as a person or as a character because of the start-and-stop nature of the narration.
If you like books by Katherine Applegate, you may like this one; the writing style is similar.
I did enjoy the growth of Mason as a character, as well as the growth of his family and the relationships he has with others. I just wish it had been a smoother read.
If you like books by Katherine Applegate, you may like this one; the writing style is similar.
I did enjoy the growth of Mason as a character, as well as the growth of his family and the relationships he has with others. I just wish it had been a smoother read.
March 14, 2018
Oh, how I loved this story!! This is on my favorites shelf.
I loved everything about this... a main character I loved and found myself rooting for, a loyal best friend, a faithful dog, a horrible bully, and a story I didn't want to put down because I HAD to know what happened. Mason reminds me a bit of Forrest Gump (but sweatier!)... innocent and lovable and funny. This would make a great movie.
Thank you, Leslie Connor for this wonderful story!
I loved everything about this... a main character I loved and found myself rooting for, a loyal best friend, a faithful dog, a horrible bully, and a story I didn't want to put down because I HAD to know what happened. Mason reminds me a bit of Forrest Gump (but sweatier!)... innocent and lovable and funny. This would make a great movie.
Thank you, Leslie Connor for this wonderful story!
November 5, 2018
Just a fabulous story with Mason Buttle as a lovable and complex character. I think that older struggling readers can relate to Mason's struggle to read and be heard. I see this book with a medal on the cover! I also LOVED Leslie Connor's book "Waiting for Normal." Books like these remind us to listen to and respect the children we encounter.
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