Truth or Lie: Sharks!

by Erica S. Perl, Michael Slack (Illustrations)

Shark lovers will enjoy hunting down the TRUTH about their favorite ocean predators in this innovative new Science Reader series.

Baby sharks are toothless at first, right? That's a LIE! The TRUTH is, sharks are born with a mouthful of teeth to protect themselves and hunt right away. Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique question-and-answer format, proficient readers are quizzed about their favorite ocean predators to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book's mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed Step 3 Reader, filled with photos of sharks in action, as well as kid-appealing art and humor.

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics, for children who are ready to read on their own.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals

48 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2019

About the author

Erica S. Perl is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 40 popular and critically acclaimed books for young readers. She won the National Jewish Book Award and a Sydney Taylor Silver Medal for her middle grade novel, ALL THREE STOOGES. She is also the author of many well-loved picture books, including THE NINTH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH and GOATILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS, as well as several book serieses (including the TRUTH OR LIE nonfiction series). She is the co-author, with Dolly Parton, of the BILLY THE KID picture book series. She is also the co-author, with R.J. Palacio, of WHITE BIRD: A NOVEL. A crowd-pleasing presenter, Erica is available for school visits, bookstore, and library events. Follow her @ericaperl on social media and visit her website to connect with her.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second grader enjoyed the "find the lie" format of this book. We only wish it had more information though, as many of the facts are only mentioned in passing and not elaborated on (For example the "more people are injured by toilets than sharks" led us to a google search). A good introduction for kids interested in sharks, just be ready for this to lead to more questions and more research.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduces elementary level readers to facts about sharks. Pages throughout have four statements and readers have to determine which is a lie. Information is provided on the three true facts.
Fun method to engage with middle elementary readers.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the emphasis on helping students to learn how to read critically, a series such as this approaches the skill in a fun and challenging way. Four statements are given and the reader is asked to be a “truth sleuth” and find the lie in the group. After making their choice, readers turn the page and discover if they were right. An explanation of the correct answer is given.

Color photos of various types of sharks fill many of the pages, with captions to identify the species shown. Some photos are labeled to show types of fins, location of gills, ears, or spiracles and other details. On other pages there are illustrations of sharks in humorous poses - holding a coffee pot and mug, covered in bandaids, etc. A rubber stamp serves as narrator, introducing each set of statements and making funny comments.

For newly independent readers interested in science topics, this could be a new favorite series.

[Keenan Story · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational Nonfiction
Kindergarten-1st grade reading level
This book is great to get young readers into non-fiction reading, but also in a way that helps them learn about and to distinguish the difference between fiction and non-fiction. This book teaches real facts about sharks, but also crazy fiction statements and readers begin to distinguish what is factual and what is fiction. I love the book because not only is it fun snf engaging for students getting into non-fiction, but it actually helps teach students how fiction and non-fiction differ.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I came across this book while doing research about ocean animals in the public library. What a fun way to present information-the reader has to determine which of the 4 statements is the lie and then they explain why it is not true on the following pages. I loved the funny illustrations. My students cannot get enough of great nonfiction titles so I've already added all 6 books in this series to my fall book order. I read it aloud to some students in my summer reading program and they adored it.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A leveled reader that presents different combinations of four facts about sharks and asks readers to figure out the 1 lie in each group of four.

This was a really fun way to pack in a lot of information about sharks. The format allowed them to include some facts about sharks that doesn't usually make it into lower grade nonfiction.

[Megan Gery · Rating 4 out of 5]

R (3.5 years) picked this out at the library, proclaiming it was her favorite book. The pictures and illustrations were captivating enough to keep her interest while I read it to her, and I like the concept of three truths and a lie.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever nonfiction text structure

[Sawy-o]

I see the appeal for kids!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four statements are given on a page, and the reader must find one lie amongst them. With cartoonish pictures and photographs, this is a fun and informative way to read about sharks.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever and fun way of presenting facts! For grades K & up

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharks are a favorite topic for many young readers. Combining a popular topic with this fun new interactive format makes for a winning read. The book provides lots of interesting facts about sharks but only 75% are true. The book is narrated by a LIE stamp named the Truth Sleuth, who presents the reader with four facts about sharks. But only three of the four are true. Readers are then encouraged to decide which one they think is false. The following double page spread reveals which one is a lie and why it is a lie. Even as an adult I enjoyed testing my knowledge of sharks. I even learned some things I didn't know before. In addition to being enjoyable for young readers who are passionate about sharks, the book would be great for teachers or parents who want to help their students/children understand that not everything they see or hear is true. As a librarian, I plan to use the book to introduce the importance of verifying information and how to find accurate, reliable information. I look forward to more books in this series.