Lies I Tell Myself

by Beth Vrabel

In this “heartfelt, emotionally insightful” (Kirkus Reviews), and funny companion to the acclaimed To Tell You the Truth, Raymond has a life-changing summer when he’s sent to Maine to stay with the grandparents he’s never met.Raymond has always preferred to keep life simple and leave adventuring to other people. But then he’s sent across the country, against his will, to spend the summer before fifth grade with grandparents who think he’s “troubled” and needs to have playdates set up for him. Determined to show everyone how brave, confident, and untroubled he can be, Raymond hatches a three-step 1) Learn to ride a bike. His mom never got around to teaching him before she left. 2) Learn how to swim. 3) Make friends. On his own. But can Raymond really change, or is this whole plan just a bunch of lies he’s telling himself? With the help of his great-grandfather’s old journal, a feral chicken, and a possibly imaginary new friend, Raymond might just overcome his fears and figure out who he really wants to be.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 2022

About the author

Beth Vrabel is the author of Cyblis-nominated Caleb and Kit, ILA award-winning A Blind Guide to Stinkville, JLG-selection A Blind Guide to Normal, and The Reckless Club and Pack of Dorks series. She can't clap to the beat nor be trusted near Nutella. Beth loves traveling around the country to meet with young readers and writers, sharing a message of grit, resiliency and heart.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I read this one, I kept thinking of some advice I received from a wise friend, years ago. During a difficult time in my life, he told me, “Instead of concentrating on what and who you don’t have in your life, focus on who and what you do have.”

A boy’s mother up and left her husband and two young children years ago, without warning or goodbyes. Now, several years later, the pre-teen boy is staying with his mother’s parents, in the house where she grew up (and ran away from several times), because of some trouble he got into with a friend. There are reminders of his mom everywhere, as a young person. But the boy wonders, if Mom ever did return, would they even recognize each other anymore?

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful coming of age story. I laughed aloud, cried, and pondered the lies I tell to myself.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raymond is shipped off to stay with his grandparents for the summer in Maine. His father is a musician and Raymond loves to flat foot dance to his father’s bluegrass music. His mother left home when Raymond was five and he barely knows his grandparents (his mom’s parents). He decides he is going to catch up on things he should have done long before this summer: learn to swim, learn to ride a bike, and make new friends. He learns a lot about his family through his late Grand Pap’s journal and starts to come to grips with his relationship to his family. You’ll cheer for Raymond as he explores the tiny Maine town and learns more about his family.

[Kari Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Vrabel never disappoints! In this follow up to the stunning "To Tell You the Truth," Vrabel weaves a powerful and heartwarming coming-of-age story for a new generation. It's impossible not to root for Raymond as he navigates finding himself and connecting with others while navigating grief and loss. Vrabel has an incredible ability to breathe life to characters on the page, whether they be heroes or villains, chickens or tortoises. "Lies I Tell Myself" (and To Tell You the Truth!) are unmissable reads for children and adults alike!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this book after being less than overwhelmed by To Tell You The Truth, but I'm glad I did. This is a better book with a much more realistic and understandable character (Raymond, who appeared in the first book.) I'm decades past middle school age, and I enjoyed spending that summer with Raymond as he struggled with making friends and trying to understand why his mother left the family without so much as a note six years ago.

[Eileen Winfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with this story about a boy (Raymond) meeting and staying with his grandparents in Maine as he works through his mother's abandoning him (as well as not having any confidence or any friends). It's emotional. Ends up ok. Not really sure what elementary kid to recommend it to, but a middle aged woman like me will really appreciate it.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raymond is a loveable character. I appreciated his growth throughout the book. There are so many lessons we can learn from him. Wonderful middle grade book.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note to self: read-alike for Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss or Netgalley

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was well written, but I'm to old for "coming of age" stories.

[Karen Woodham · Rating 5 out of 5]

read with my son (4th grade), this book was so good! so many life lessons taught and an ending that left me crying like a crazy person.