I loved this one because it showed a realistic, complex situation 100% convincingly from the POV of a child. And Barthe DeClements was 78 when she wrote this! The way I'm going, I doubt if I will be able to write a grocery list when I'm 78. The story is about what happens when a troubled new girl breaks up the main character's friendships (and also gets her hit by a truck!) DeClements portrays sixth grade very vividly. It made me remember how completely stupid school is and grateful to be an adult.
My one complaint is that the dad says, "Poor grandpas have to learn not to pat young women in these times. They even got our former governor [Mike Lowry] for that." It does, unfortunately, seem like a realistic dad remark, but I don't think groping women and sexual harassment should be treated so flippantly in a children's book. The best characterization I can put on it is that it's dated.
Such a wonderful story! Who else is shipping Grizzly and Spider or as other would say it Halen and Greatelen.Though I just wish the author, Barthe would have continued the story about the two Grizzly and spider. I mean I stayed up all night reading it and woke up with the book in my hand and started to continue it. Please make another book about Grizzly and Harlen.
Very unknown book, unfortunately. It is probably the best example of how lying affects you and other people. A girl named Gretchen is the main character. A new girl named Marybelle (I think) comes to her school, and starts telling lies. She tells a lie to Gretchen that she saw Gretchen's best friend, Susan, was stealing earrings at the mall. Gretchen half believes this, and when she goes to visit Susan, Susan (and her mom) treat her like she was the one who did something wrong. With the help of her step-brother, Gretchen finds a way to figure out who is lying and what lie he/she told. I read this book 3 years ago, it was really good. Hint: there are 2 of the word "liar" in the title. Does this mean there are two liars? Or a person that lied twice? Or something else?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.