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The Best Liars in Riverview
In the woods of a small Kentucky town, Aubrey sets off on a journey about growing up, self-discovery, and acceptance while searching for their missing best friend—perfect for fans of King and the Dragonflies and Three Times Lucky .
Aubrey and Joel are like two tomato vines that grew along the same crooked weird, yet the same kind of weird. But lately, even their shared weirdness seems weird. Then Joel disappears. Vanishes. Poof . The whole town is looking for him, and Aubrey was the last person to see Joel. Aubrey can’t say much, but since lies of omission are still lies, here’s what they know for Aubrey doesn’t know where Joel is, but they might know how to find him. As Aubrey, their friend Mari, and sister Teagan search along the river, Aubrey has to fess up to who they really are, all the things they never said, and the word that bully Rudy Thomas used that set all this into motion.
Aubrey and Joel are like two tomato vines that grew along the same crooked weird, yet the same kind of weird. But lately, even their shared weirdness seems weird. Then Joel disappears. Vanishes. Poof . The whole town is looking for him, and Aubrey was the last person to see Joel. Aubrey can’t say much, but since lies of omission are still lies, here’s what they know for Aubrey doesn’t know where Joel is, but they might know how to find him. As Aubrey, their friend Mari, and sister Teagan search along the river, Aubrey has to fess up to who they really are, all the things they never said, and the word that bully Rudy Thomas used that set all this into motion.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2022
7 people are currently reading
2573 people want to read
About the author
Lin Thompson
2 books53 followersLin Thompson (they/them) is a former children's librarian, a Lambda Literary Fellow, and the author of two books for middle-grade readers: The Best Liars in Riverview (Little, Brown, 2022), which was a JLG Gold Standard selection and appeared on the 2023 ALA Rainbow List, and The House That Whispers (Little, Brown, 2023), also a JLG Gold Standard selection. Lin grew up playing pretend games in the backyard and basement of their home in Kentucky. Now they get to write pretend stories in the backyard and basement of their home in Iowa, where they live with their wife and cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
July 15, 2021
I had the honor of getting an early read on this luminous debut! You don’t want to miss this brave and tender story.
October 14, 2021
This is an incredible book. An astonishing debut. A compelling, moving, insightful story. I’m happy it’s in the world.
June 18, 2021
The Best Liars in Riverview is a lyrically told tale about friendship, found family, belonging and hope. Thompson has crafted a gorgeous debut that will fill an important place on LGBTQ+ shelves, and Aubrey is a character that will stay with me for a long time.
April 1, 2023
Well, as a queer, gender-confused person who was raised Catholic and spent a lot of time wandering the woods of my small town as a child…..you could say this book really hit in a specific way for me. [And as a parent, now, it also supremely stressed me out, but that only made me turn the pages faster.] Thompson’s writing throughout is also something else. A beautiful book.
April 18, 2022
I don’t often read middle-grade, but this book makes me thing maybe I should make an exception more often because this was absolutely wonderful. This dug deep inside me to the part of me that’s still the young queer child who grew up in a small rural town in a religious family, who wanted to run away from home just to be somewhere, anywhere else, where they could be someone different. This book sang to that part of my soul.
And look at me now, I did it, I ran all the way across the world to Australia to get away!
Content warnings: bullying, homophobic slurs, religious bigotry, racism, homophobia, transphobia
And look at me now, I did it, I ran all the way across the world to Australia to get away!
Content warnings: bullying, homophobic slurs, religious bigotry, racism, homophobia, transphobia
July 1, 2021
This review is based off of a physical ARC provided to me by the publisher for a potential blurb. My thoughts reflect my genuine and honest opinions after reading.
Thompson has a way with words like few others. This book is at times heartbreaking, but it's also lyrically-told and hopeful as it follows main character Aubrey on their journey to find their missing friend and ultimately coming to some revelations about their own gender identity.
This story is told in a non-linear fashion, with flashbacks to Aubrey and their friend Joel and Mari's experiences during last year at their middle school. There's a mystery element to the plot, but ultimately this is a coming of age story, set in a rural Kentucky town where being different isn't generally viewed as a positive. Thompson tackles racism, homophobia, transphobia, and the interplay between faith and identity in gentle, accessible ways throughout this story.
I'm so lucky to have worked with this author during Pitch Wars 2019. If there's one middle grade debut you buy next year, make it this one.
Thompson has a way with words like few others. This book is at times heartbreaking, but it's also lyrically-told and hopeful as it follows main character Aubrey on their journey to find their missing friend and ultimately coming to some revelations about their own gender identity.
This story is told in a non-linear fashion, with flashbacks to Aubrey and their friend Joel and Mari's experiences during last year at their middle school. There's a mystery element to the plot, but ultimately this is a coming of age story, set in a rural Kentucky town where being different isn't generally viewed as a positive. Thompson tackles racism, homophobia, transphobia, and the interplay between faith and identity in gentle, accessible ways throughout this story.
I'm so lucky to have worked with this author during Pitch Wars 2019. If there's one middle grade debut you buy next year, make it this one.
January 15, 2022
My worry over the missing kid outweighed my empathy for the main character's reasons for not coming forward to the police sooner.
January 16, 2023
I have read a couple of children's books but not middle-grade books. So that makes "The Best Liars in Riverview" my first middle grade read. The author had given a vivid picture of how a 12-year-old child would feel when he/she thought they doesn't fit with others.
Aubrey and Joel were very close best friends from childhood. When Joel lost in the woods, Aubrey took it as her responsibility to find him. This story is written in a first-person pov which I like. It made me know what exactly Aubrey's thought process was and how much she struggled to find out who she was.
In her journey to find her friend Joel, Aubrey thought of her moments and conversations with Joel. So basically Joel didn't appear in the story till the very end. But still, his character was so well explained through Aubrey. Their friendship was so heartwarming.
I loved the side characters like Aubrey's friend Mari and Aubrey's sister. They were so supportive and understanding of her. This story also expressed how a parent's mindset affects and changes a child. This was such a good and heartwarming read.
4.5 stars
Aubrey and Joel were very close best friends from childhood. When Joel lost in the woods, Aubrey took it as her responsibility to find him. This story is written in a first-person pov which I like. It made me know what exactly Aubrey's thought process was and how much she struggled to find out who she was.
In her journey to find her friend Joel, Aubrey thought of her moments and conversations with Joel. So basically Joel didn't appear in the story till the very end. But still, his character was so well explained through Aubrey. Their friendship was so heartwarming.
I loved the side characters like Aubrey's friend Mari and Aubrey's sister. They were so supportive and understanding of her. This story also expressed how a parent's mindset affects and changes a child. This was such a good and heartwarming read.
4.5 stars
December 5, 2021
All the feels, well paced, the mystery builds the tension. Thoughtful content.
March 23, 2022
This books is absolutely lovely and well written. If you love your friendships heartfelt, and big life-changing realizations handled with tender care, this book is for you. A fantastic read for all ages.
October 28, 2022
This is such a beautifully layered MG novel, which really embraces the mystery elements for young readers - and from the first page let’s them in on a burning secret with protagonist Aubrey, that takes time and trust to come out. It’s also a beautiful meditation on family, friendship and community - just expertly woven, in a total MG masterclass of mystery-writing for kids. I’m in awe, and I want whatever Lin writes next!
November 6, 2022
Review originally published 6 November 2022 at Falling Letters.
A quick-paced read that I finished in one sitting, protagonist Aubrey’s voice pulled me into the story as I wondered what had happened between her and Joel and if she would find him before adult interference became problematic.
The Best Liars in Riverview explores what it can be like to be young and questioning in a town full of well meaning white Christians, who smooth over and stay quiet and uphold the status quo.
It’s been awhile since I flagged so many passages and quotes in a middle grade story. I found lots of lines that cut straight through to the heart of something, even if Aubrey hadn’t yet recognized the significance herself. I won’t share everything I noted here – go read the book 😜
💭 The Bottom Line: I don’t often read books that I think suit this award, but I’d say The Best Liars in Riverview is a strong contender for a Newbery medal or honor.
17 July 2022: Tiny place holder review to note this an excellent book, a moving story, and if I was a Newbery person I might call it a Newbery contender.
A quick-paced read that I finished in one sitting, protagonist Aubrey’s voice pulled me into the story as I wondered what had happened between her and Joel and if she would find him before adult interference became problematic.
The Best Liars in Riverview explores what it can be like to be young and questioning in a town full of well meaning white Christians, who smooth over and stay quiet and uphold the status quo.
[Aubrey reflecting on a kid in gym glass who would say “God, Gallagher, you’re such a girl.”] Sometimes he wouldn’t say “girl.” Sometimes he’d say words that were worse. Coach Nielsen, our PE teacher, might hear. He might say, “Second commandment, Thomas.” We all memorized the Ten Commandments in Sunday school at the Church of the Sacred Heart. The second one is this: Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain. Neilsen would make Rudy Thomas run a lap around the gym for saying “God” like that. He never acknowledged the other words. (pg 141)Aubrey reminded me of Bug from Too Bright to See – both kiddos full of sadness for a reason deeper than they can identify at the start of the story. They both know they’re not happy with how their communities view them, but they haven’t yet pinpointed why.
“Your sister has sleepovers with other girls. […] It’s different. Joel’s a boy, and you’re a girl.” I didn’t know why that made anger flash through me, hot like lightning. I didn’t know why I hated, hated, hated my dad for pointing that out. (pg 74)
[Mom’s response when an elderly family member thinks Aubrey looks too much like a boy:] Lots of girls these days wear T-shirts and ponytails. It’s true. I knew it was true. But my stomach was fluttering like maybe I’d eaten too much Jell-O salad. (pg 135)There’s a moment where Aubrey, her sister, and their friend Mari are playing pretend that I loved. Aubrey makes a face at the suggestion of being elf queen and Mari quips “Elf king, then” with a little smile of, perhaps, recognition, so Aubrey plays as elf king in the court (pg 162). Small gestures, both negative and positive, can have a huge impact.
It’s been awhile since I flagged so many passages and quotes in a middle grade story. I found lots of lines that cut straight through to the heart of something, even if Aubrey hadn’t yet recognized the significance herself. I won’t share everything I noted here – go read the book 😜
💭 The Bottom Line: I don’t often read books that I think suit this award, but I’d say The Best Liars in Riverview is a strong contender for a Newbery medal or honor.
17 July 2022: Tiny place holder review to note this an excellent book, a moving story, and if I was a Newbery person I might call it a Newbery contender.
March 7, 2022
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel!
3 stars!
Okay, so honestly the issues this book picked up were amazing and the plot was amazing, and talking about middle grade kids trying to figure out who they are was amazing, but that's about it.
Plot:
I loved it. But I just think that even if middle grade kids are going through stuff both in school and at home, they don't just run away, because in my experience they're also scared of the outside world. So personally, I think it would have been a better high school book- especially as freshmen, since the author could have included so many more things.
Characters:
Look, I get that Aubrey, the MC was sad, and she was dealing with stuff herself. But in the end, her character fell a little flat, and I just couldn't empathize with her.
As for Joel, the author just didn't tell us enough about him- all we know is that he was bullied and had issues with his father and he was Black. There was little to nothing about how he was except that he was good at hiding things.
Mari was my favourite characters as she was really sweet!
Writing Style:
This was literally the downfall of the book, since it didn't really make me feel anything. The characters and the plot had so much potential, but the writing style was a flatline.
The thing with this book is that it could've been amazing, but it isn't something I'd ask someone under the age of 12 to read, despite it being the target audience. It's just a little too heavy, and for kids with a low attention span- it just won't work.
I would recommend you to read it if you're in high school or just entering high school, since it does explore excellent topics and self-discovery.
3 stars!
Okay, so honestly the issues this book picked up were amazing and the plot was amazing, and talking about middle grade kids trying to figure out who they are was amazing, but that's about it.
Plot:
I loved it. But I just think that even if middle grade kids are going through stuff both in school and at home, they don't just run away, because in my experience they're also scared of the outside world. So personally, I think it would have been a better high school book- especially as freshmen, since the author could have included so many more things.
Characters:
Look, I get that Aubrey, the MC was sad, and she was dealing with stuff herself. But in the end, her character fell a little flat, and I just couldn't empathize with her.
As for Joel, the author just didn't tell us enough about him- all we know is that he was bullied and had issues with his father and he was Black. There was little to nothing about how he was except that he was good at hiding things.
Mari was my favourite characters as she was really sweet!
Writing Style:
This was literally the downfall of the book, since it didn't really make me feel anything. The characters and the plot had so much potential, but the writing style was a flatline.
The thing with this book is that it could've been amazing, but it isn't something I'd ask someone under the age of 12 to read, despite it being the target audience. It's just a little too heavy, and for kids with a low attention span- it just won't work.
I would recommend you to read it if you're in high school or just entering high school, since it does explore excellent topics and self-discovery.
January 13, 2022
The Best Liars in Riverview is a delightful, contemplative middle grade read that explores identity through the lens of Aubrey, a middle-schooler who is wrestling with life's biggest question: who am I? Aubrey is best friends with a boy named Joel, who is one of the only Black kids in their small Kentucky town. So when Joel goes missing, everyone turns to Aubrey, who is not only his best friend, but also the last person who saw him. Aubrey and Joel have both been dealing with complex issues of identity (race, gender, sexuality), and have not found adults willing or able to help them or protect them. So it's no surprise that Aubrey decided to head out on their own to find Joel.
I loved the way this book let Aubrey explore their thoughts and feelings, and I especially enjoyed the many references to Catholicism. I think a book like this might be exactly what a young queer kid needs to read, especially if they're in a rural/conservative/religious setting. This is a highly recommended read for middle grade library collections.
I loved the way this book let Aubrey explore their thoughts and feelings, and I especially enjoyed the many references to Catholicism. I think a book like this might be exactly what a young queer kid needs to read, especially if they're in a rural/conservative/religious setting. This is a highly recommended read for middle grade library collections.
March 15, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Best Liars in Riverview
Author: Lin Thompson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: f/f parents, Black characters, Latinx character with anxiety, Trans questioning character, Trans character mentioned, Non binary character mentioned with they/them pronouns, Black gay character.
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, mystery, contemporary, LGBT+
Publication Date: March 8, 2022
Genre: MG Mystery
Age Relevance: 8+ (child disappearance, religion and religious trauma, sexism, toxic masculinity, bullying, homophobia, running away, gender identity, racism, anxiety attacks)
Explanation of Above: The book deals with the disappearance of a child who has run away and later on shows another character who runs away. There are a lot of issues that the children deal with including bullying, homophobia, sexism, toxic masculinity, and racism. There is religion in the book, but also some pieces that show some religious trauma. The book also shows characters questioning their gender identity and sexuality in a very beautiful and age appropriate manner. There are also small anxiety attacks shown.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Aubrey and Joel are like two tomato vines that grew along the same crooked fence—weird, yet the same kind of weird. But lately, even their shared weirdness seems weird. Then Joel disappears. Vanishes. Poof. The whole town is looking for him, and Aubrey was the last person to see Joel. Aubrey can’t say much, but since lies of omission are still lies, here’s what they know for sure:
For the last two weeks of the school year, when sixth grade became too much, Aubrey and Joel have been building a raft in the woods.
The raft was supposed to be just another part of their running away game.
The raft is gone now, too.
Aubrey doesn’t know where Joel is, but they might know how to find him. As Aubrey, their friend Mari, and sister Teagan search along the river, Aubrey has to fess up to who they really are, all the things they never said, and the word that bully Rudy Thomas used that set all this into motion.
Review: I really loved this book so much! The book spoke so much about identity and finding who you are and acceptance. The book had also had a lot in it about the outdated expectations of gender norms and falling into traditions that the characters parents expect them to fall into. The characters are all well developed and, while it doesn’t look like it in the first few chapters, the book has a great amount of diversity in it. The book has amazing world building and pacing as well. The book is gorgeous and so impactful and I can’t wait to see kids get this book and read it.
The only issue I had with the book is that I wished that the adults had more of a reckoning when all was said and done. The adults had some issues that weren’t resolved in the book, which directly affected their own children who were the main characters, and it feels a bit incomplete for some of the adults to not do more at the end of the book to condemn the wrong they did.
Verdict: It was excellent! Highly recommend!
Book: The Best Liars in Riverview
Author: Lin Thompson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: f/f parents, Black characters, Latinx character with anxiety, Trans questioning character, Trans character mentioned, Non binary character mentioned with they/them pronouns, Black gay character.
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, mystery, contemporary, LGBT+
Publication Date: March 8, 2022
Genre: MG Mystery
Age Relevance: 8+ (child disappearance, religion and religious trauma, sexism, toxic masculinity, bullying, homophobia, running away, gender identity, racism, anxiety attacks)
Explanation of Above: The book deals with the disappearance of a child who has run away and later on shows another character who runs away. There are a lot of issues that the children deal with including bullying, homophobia, sexism, toxic masculinity, and racism. There is religion in the book, but also some pieces that show some religious trauma. The book also shows characters questioning their gender identity and sexuality in a very beautiful and age appropriate manner. There are also small anxiety attacks shown.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Aubrey and Joel are like two tomato vines that grew along the same crooked fence—weird, yet the same kind of weird. But lately, even their shared weirdness seems weird. Then Joel disappears. Vanishes. Poof. The whole town is looking for him, and Aubrey was the last person to see Joel. Aubrey can’t say much, but since lies of omission are still lies, here’s what they know for sure:
For the last two weeks of the school year, when sixth grade became too much, Aubrey and Joel have been building a raft in the woods.
The raft was supposed to be just another part of their running away game.
The raft is gone now, too.
Aubrey doesn’t know where Joel is, but they might know how to find him. As Aubrey, their friend Mari, and sister Teagan search along the river, Aubrey has to fess up to who they really are, all the things they never said, and the word that bully Rudy Thomas used that set all this into motion.
Review: I really loved this book so much! The book spoke so much about identity and finding who you are and acceptance. The book had also had a lot in it about the outdated expectations of gender norms and falling into traditions that the characters parents expect them to fall into. The characters are all well developed and, while it doesn’t look like it in the first few chapters, the book has a great amount of diversity in it. The book has amazing world building and pacing as well. The book is gorgeous and so impactful and I can’t wait to see kids get this book and read it.
The only issue I had with the book is that I wished that the adults had more of a reckoning when all was said and done. The adults had some issues that weren’t resolved in the book, which directly affected their own children who were the main characters, and it feels a bit incomplete for some of the adults to not do more at the end of the book to condemn the wrong they did.
Verdict: It was excellent! Highly recommend!
March 29, 2022
This book is absolutely exceptional in every way. I really clicked with the writing and narrative style, and I loved just being along for the journey...or journeys, because our characters are really going through it in so many ways. I'm not good at keeping up with new middle grade releases and contemporary stuff isn't usually my thing, so I borrowed this one from the library. But wow do I need to buy myself a physical copy! So many lines made me feel all the things. I actually teared up a few times (I'm not a crying human, okay? It's a big deal) and UGH just SO GOOD.
I really related to Aubrey and Joel in sort of broad ways, though I haven't had their specific experiences. But it was so accurate for me for how it feels when you're on the outside; whether you've been left out, pushed out, or just wandered there on your own. It's that feeling of not belonging, of being different in a way that others view as bad, of being somehow other/othered. Or when A talks about looking at yourself from the outside and everything that line of thinking brings up. I think readers who have never felt anything close to that for whatever reason...those are the lower ratings. And that's okay! Not every book works for every reader. It doesn't have to and it's not supposed to. But for some kids...this book could be exactly what shows them they're not alone in whatever they're feeling. That people have secrets (or people feel like they ARE the secret) and it's okay if you're not ready to tell the whole world. It's okay to still be figuring it all out. And as an adult...I really needed to hear all that too.
I was drawn to this book because the topic of/discussions about lying always interest me. I'm an overall honest person, but I also have a bad memory and sometimes (gasp) I even change my mind! The thing about saying you're honest is people are always trying to catch you in a lie of some kind. So I liked the discussion about outright lies, lies of omission, lies we tell ourselves, etc. I especially loved the part toward the end (not a spoiler, I'll be vague) where A says when they talked about something with Joel they both talked around it so much it made a perfect outline of what they weren't saying. I... I just really felt that.
I could say so much more about what I related to and why, but...I don't have to. Or want to. I don't owe explanations to anyone. Just know that this book really resonated with me. It made me remember things and see them in a different way; it helped me understand myself better. I'm still not good at emotions and I'm still working on it, but I like when a book makes me feel something. When I find a story that grabs me and won't let go.
Yeah, I definitely need a copy of this book so I can hug it 💕 one book and I already know I'll read anything by this author! Is this seriously their debut?! Again.. exceptional in every way.
I really related to Aubrey and Joel in sort of broad ways, though I haven't had their specific experiences. But it was so accurate for me for how it feels when you're on the outside; whether you've been left out, pushed out, or just wandered there on your own. It's that feeling of not belonging, of being different in a way that others view as bad, of being somehow other/othered. Or when A talks about looking at yourself from the outside and everything that line of thinking brings up. I think readers who have never felt anything close to that for whatever reason...those are the lower ratings. And that's okay! Not every book works for every reader. It doesn't have to and it's not supposed to. But for some kids...this book could be exactly what shows them they're not alone in whatever they're feeling. That people have secrets (or people feel like they ARE the secret) and it's okay if you're not ready to tell the whole world. It's okay to still be figuring it all out. And as an adult...I really needed to hear all that too.
I was drawn to this book because the topic of/discussions about lying always interest me. I'm an overall honest person, but I also have a bad memory and sometimes (gasp) I even change my mind! The thing about saying you're honest is people are always trying to catch you in a lie of some kind. So I liked the discussion about outright lies, lies of omission, lies we tell ourselves, etc. I especially loved the part toward the end (not a spoiler, I'll be vague) where A says when they talked about something with Joel they both talked around it so much it made a perfect outline of what they weren't saying. I... I just really felt that.
I could say so much more about what I related to and why, but...I don't have to. Or want to. I don't owe explanations to anyone. Just know that this book really resonated with me. It made me remember things and see them in a different way; it helped me understand myself better. I'm still not good at emotions and I'm still working on it, but I like when a book makes me feel something. When I find a story that grabs me and won't let go.
Yeah, I definitely need a copy of this book so I can hug it 💕 one book and I already know I'll read anything by this author! Is this seriously their debut?! Again.. exceptional in every way.
May 6, 2022
It's hard to give a review to a book that is quite popular, when I am not as big a fan of it.
On the plus side, I think that there is a place for this book in LGBTQ+ sections of libraries. Unfortunately it's very length, and the continual and in depth descriptions of nature (though well written) will turn away many students in the MS target audience from getting through the book. If it could have been edited down to a half to a third of the original book it would be a more likely read for many students.
The twists and turns in the story seemed contrived and unlikely, especially since there were so many throughout the book. I think all of the runaway escapades, and narrow escapes felt contirved.
My last comment is that I think that the questions that this book will leave young readers with are overdone. It is important to let kids question, and to make their own decisions about gender issus. It felt though that any girl who isn't boy crazy, shopping for clothes, or thinking about parties and painting their nails is a likely candidate to have gender issues. This is very unfortunate because many MS girls don't fit the stereotypical "boy crazy" girl. There are many girls who never will, but don't and won't have issues with gender. I felt that the book was making it feel as if you weren't one of "those girls" that you likely had gender issues to deal with. Too simplistic, and not respecting that girls and women are not "either or."
On the plus side, I think that there is a place for this book in LGBTQ+ sections of libraries. Unfortunately it's very length, and the continual and in depth descriptions of nature (though well written) will turn away many students in the MS target audience from getting through the book. If it could have been edited down to a half to a third of the original book it would be a more likely read for many students.
The twists and turns in the story seemed contrived and unlikely, especially since there were so many throughout the book. I think all of the runaway escapades, and narrow escapes felt contirved.
My last comment is that I think that the questions that this book will leave young readers with are overdone. It is important to let kids question, and to make their own decisions about gender issus. It felt though that any girl who isn't boy crazy, shopping for clothes, or thinking about parties and painting their nails is a likely candidate to have gender issues. This is very unfortunate because many MS girls don't fit the stereotypical "boy crazy" girl. There are many girls who never will, but don't and won't have issues with gender. I felt that the book was making it feel as if you weren't one of "those girls" that you likely had gender issues to deal with. Too simplistic, and not respecting that girls and women are not "either or."
October 21, 2022
I'll be honest, gender issues are not my favorite topics to read about in middle-grade literature. Too often, these types of books feel too issue-y, heavy-handed, and even unrealistic for me. When done well, though, they can not just help LGBTQ+ kids feel seen and understood but also aid those around them (friends, family, classmates, adult leaders, etc.) in being more empathetic and accepting. THE BEST LIARS IN RIVERVIEW falls mostly in the latter category for me. While, overall, the story does seem too heavy for a MG audience, I also think it captures the confusion, longing, worry, and wonder of those middle-grade years really well. The juxtaposition of Aubrey and Joel enjoying their "childish" imaginary games while at the same time contemplating their own sexuality really brings out the complicated emotions today's kids are dealing with at this age, when they're teetering on that delicate line between childhood and adolescence. Even if they're cisgender and heterosexual, it's a strange time of life! The novel has a tender authenticity to it, especially in regards to gender confusion, that likely comes from the author's own experience (although I don't know Thompson's story). In addition, it teaches some important lessons about kindness, acceptance, love, and standing up to bullies. I also appreciate its acknowledgement that just because someone (a parent, for example) may not quite know how to deal with a complicated situation or say the right thing doesn't mean they don't care, they're not trying, or that they can't grow and change. Overall, THE BEST LIARS IN RIVERVIEW has a kind of raw, but gentle tone that hit me just right as an adult reader. While I didn't absolutely love the book, it did open my mind and touch my heart.
March 19, 2022
Good book about how life changes as you get older Aubrey and her BFF Joel , do everything together, play imaginative games after school, study together. But something shifts when they start middle school together- suddenly Joel is not quite the same and Aubrey can tell there is a problem, is it the bulling he receives at school, his home like, or is it her and how she feels different. Once Joel disappears Aubrey decides to hunt for him. I thought the book was like Bridge to Tereabitha- without that awful ending.
March 13, 2022
Do you ever read a book and you're like "huh. I really could have used this when I was growing up." This is one of the books with the added bonus of "huh. I really needed this book right now." This book is part adventure (running away on a raft you built yourself? Yes, please), part reckoning with growing up and speaking your truth. Other features include some accidental arson and lots of being queer in the woods. Highly recommend.
December 15, 2025
A book for everybody
What a great book with rich figurative language! This was assigned to my students in book club and I just had to read it too. I am so glad I did because this diverse author with beautiful characters brought about a perspective that everyone should be aware of. This is geared towards young people but anyone reading this will gain something significant out of it. I hope you check it out.
What a great book with rich figurative language! This was assigned to my students in book club and I just had to read it too. I am so glad I did because this diverse author with beautiful characters brought about a perspective that everyone should be aware of. This is geared towards young people but anyone reading this will gain something significant out of it. I hope you check it out.
March 27, 2022
maybe 4.5. this is excellent. I wish I had a story like this ten years ago. but I have it now, younger audiences have it now, and that's wonderful. what a great debut.
December 23, 2024
I got this as a blind date with a book fundraiser at my college Homecoming weekend. A good LGBTQ, coming-of-age, middle grade book.
June 24, 2023
An absolutely stunning coming-of-age novel. This is middle grade perfection, and it deserves a spot in every library in America. This is the sort of book that saves lives.
May 31, 2022
I liked all the twists and suspense, but the thing that caught my eye the most was the front cover. With the boy on the raft and the girl having her fingers crossed behind her back, it made me think that she was tricking the boy into floating away, so the cover hooked me it right away. The more I read the book the more I was hooked into it.
I would strongly recommend the book to people who love adventure books and books with a lot of twists. Even though this is a kids book I think adults would enjoy it too. I think Aubrey is a character that would stick on me and not leave my mind, it was so devastating to read that Aubrey’s best friend was missing and I wanted to keep reading to find out whether Aubrey found her best friend or not.
The Best Liars In Riverview is a very moving book. I can relate with Aubrey and her best friend Joel; I love nature too and if I lived next to the woods I would always be exploring and playing in the woods.
My favorite part of the book is where Aubrey is thinking her favorite memories of her and Joel, it was amazing to read and feel the connection between Aubrey and Joel. They are remarkably close, and I don’t think there is anything that is in any bit of either if their lives that the other one does not know.
The Best Liars In Riverview is an amazing book and as someone who loves books, I could not even come close to preparing myself in how good the book was. As soon as I finished The Best Liars In Riverview my mind was blown.
I think I would need a new shelf in my room for all of Lin Thompson books the book was so good.
I would strongly recommend the book to people who love adventure books and books with a lot of twists. Even though this is a kids book I think adults would enjoy it too. I think Aubrey is a character that would stick on me and not leave my mind, it was so devastating to read that Aubrey’s best friend was missing and I wanted to keep reading to find out whether Aubrey found her best friend or not.
The Best Liars In Riverview is a very moving book. I can relate with Aubrey and her best friend Joel; I love nature too and if I lived next to the woods I would always be exploring and playing in the woods.
My favorite part of the book is where Aubrey is thinking her favorite memories of her and Joel, it was amazing to read and feel the connection between Aubrey and Joel. They are remarkably close, and I don’t think there is anything that is in any bit of either if their lives that the other one does not know.
The Best Liars In Riverview is an amazing book and as someone who loves books, I could not even come close to preparing myself in how good the book was. As soon as I finished The Best Liars In Riverview my mind was blown.
I think I would need a new shelf in my room for all of Lin Thompson books the book was so good.
August 4, 2022
A sincere, tender and thoughtful eye revealing story about figuring it all out.
The book explores deeper meanings with every page evidencing, that it's okay to take your time. It's your body/sexuality/identity/sexual preferences/pronouns.
It's okay to be angry or scared or confused or natural or happy. It takes time to find out who you like. And it takes more time to identify yourself as a person. Who you are within a community and as yourself.
Sometimes it creeps up on you, sometimes it's a revelation or it's a shocker. Everyone has a different pace at realization and revelation, but just know you're not alone. Maybe you've realized that you've been like this for a long time, and now it's all about taking, and overcoming milestones to finally know yourself deeper and accept it. And that's okay, you're okay. And this book has proved that.
It's your body and yourself.
You don't have to figure yourself out all of a sudden and start putting labels on, but sometimes, it's good to put labels on because that's who you are. And no ones opinion should change that.
Love who you love, it comes in every colour.
The book explores deeper meanings with every page evidencing, that it's okay to take your time. It's your body/sexuality/identity/sexual preferences/pronouns.
It's okay to be angry or scared or confused or natural or happy. It takes time to find out who you like. And it takes more time to identify yourself as a person. Who you are within a community and as yourself.
Sometimes it creeps up on you, sometimes it's a revelation or it's a shocker. Everyone has a different pace at realization and revelation, but just know you're not alone. Maybe you've realized that you've been like this for a long time, and now it's all about taking, and overcoming milestones to finally know yourself deeper and accept it. And that's okay, you're okay. And this book has proved that.
It's your body and yourself.
You don't have to figure yourself out all of a sudden and start putting labels on, but sometimes, it's good to put labels on because that's who you are. And no ones opinion should change that.
Love who you love, it comes in every colour.
May 17, 2022
The discourses about inclusivity and identify make this a must have novel for any middle school library. Best friends Aubrey and Joel are in year 6, living in a small Catholic town in rural Kentucky, and are both having a rough time of it in their own ways. Aubrey struggles with the big question of who they are, whereas Joel struggles with a nasty school bully, an aggressively masculine father, and a broader community that does little to help him. The fact that Joel has just gone missing following a camping trip with Aubrey sets the scene for the central narrative arc. Aubrey knows where Joel has gone, and they also know the reasons why. These details are artfully dropped to the reader like little breadcrumbs over the course of the novel, as Aubrey wrestles with what to do to help her friend. Aubrey's sister and another friend from school are along for the ride, and ultimately as she journeys to help Joel, Aubrey is also getting to the bottom of their own identity crisis.
The story does deal with heavy themes, including bullying, homophobia, gender identity, sexuality and religious conservatism, but it does so in a way that is really accessible to young readers. Readers will also relate to the themes of identity and what it means to be a good friend.
The story does deal with heavy themes, including bullying, homophobia, gender identity, sexuality and religious conservatism, but it does so in a way that is really accessible to young readers. Readers will also relate to the themes of identity and what it means to be a good friend.
July 7, 2024
this book. THIS BOOK. man i wish i had this as a kid. it's the warm sticky endless summer. it's the games of pretend with a whole universe inside them. it's everyone else growing and you don't know how to. it's the not-quite-bullying that you can't win against. it's being one-of-a-pair but needing to be just you sometimes. it's not knowing how everyone else seems to just get it and you don't. it's finding yourself in pride of others. it's *chefs kiss*
Read
April 24, 2022Joel (Black - Black mother, white father) and Aubrey (white) have been best friends since kindergarten in their small, primarily white, primarily Catholic rural Kentucky town. They love to play creative games like Woodland Elves, Pirates, and Secret Agents (I might have gotten the name of that game wrong), which, now that they are in 6th grade, they only play in the woods away from everyone else. Sixth grade has been a tough year; the bully, Rudy Thomas (white), has gotten crueler, making hurtful comments to Joel, who is not tough or sporty but rather creative and involved in the theater. School admin does nothing meaningful to stop Rudy's behavior despite their (lie of a) "zero tolerance" policy toward bullying. One good thing about the year has been the addition of a new student, Mari (short for Mariposa), who has purple hair and two moms, and who doesn't laugh when Joel tells her about the Woodland Elves game and seems interested when Aubrey tells her about the different types of trees in the woods.
The morning after the last day of 6th grade, Joel cannot be found. Aubrey tells several lies of omission and a few outright lies, mostly because the police and Joel's family do not seem trustworthy or deserving of knowing the full truth. Aubrey notices that although all the adults in town say they care about Joel, no one did anything to help him this whole year despite the multiple warning signs. Including Aubrey. Aubrey is beginning to notice that there are a lot of liars in Riverview.
As happens when walking a long time in the woods, Aubrey begins to piece together multiple elements of Joel's experience and Aubrey's own, starting to identify why they bristle when called a girl or young lady, and even the feeling of being mistaken for a boy one time.
The morning after the last day of 6th grade, Joel cannot be found. Aubrey tells several lies of omission and a few outright lies, mostly because the police and Joel's family do not seem trustworthy or deserving of knowing the full truth. Aubrey notices that although all the adults in town say they care about Joel, no one did anything to help him this whole year despite the multiple warning signs. Including Aubrey. Aubrey is beginning to notice that there are a lot of liars in Riverview.
As happens when walking a long time in the woods, Aubrey begins to piece together multiple elements of Joel's experience and Aubrey's own, starting to identify why they bristle when called a girl or young lady, and even the feeling of being mistaken for a boy one time.
November 5, 2022
My first thought is that I'm not sure the cover adequately sells the book. I'm just pointing that out for librarians who value every dollar when it comes to purchasing. We try not to purchase books that are going to be discarded for low circulation. And it would be nice if someone could explain why on the cover the main character has her fingers crossed behind her back.
As the book opens, Aubrey is telling about a situation that's just happened and how she lied by omission when she was questioned. I love the opening line. "Sometime in the last day or so, ever since Joel Gallagher disappeared, I became a liar." Totally grabs you. The entire first paragraph is well done. I've always said the first paragraph is critical and this author nails it.
From here, you have a nonlinear telling of how Joel came to be missing after what should have been a routine camping trip in the woods behind Aubrey's house. Something they've done for years. The nonlinear way the facts come to light definitely adds to the mystery. The author lays out little bits at a time like bait. We learn that Joel has been bullied all year and during the last two weeks of school, he and Aubrey snuck out to build a raft in the woods. They've both had it with 6th grade, especially since the principal is weak about punishing the bully.
*Spoiler*
There is much to like about this book. It's a great story of friendship, of adolescent confusion, of coming to terms with yourself. There's even a bit of religion thrown in, which I think was well done. Aubrey struggles with religion as many kids do. The author is genuine with this, presenting Catholicism in a way which adult Christians may not like. The consolation is that Aubrey admits that God is not something you'll ever understand and you must simply have faith.
This book is definitely well written and the author has talent, but I won't be putting this book in my library for two reasons. One, I don't think it's fair for publishers to fail to disclose sensitive topics in the book description, and homosexuality and transgenderism are most definitely sensitive topics for this age group. Two, no one can truly define what it means to be male or female beyond biology. No one can define what it means to "feel" male or female. Doing so is simply stereotyping. If Aubrey thinks she is a boy, that feeling is based on a stereotype of what a boy is. We need to get away from classifying behaviors as male or female and maybe people who don't "feel" the way culture defines their gender, will learn to be happy with the way they were born.
As the book opens, Aubrey is telling about a situation that's just happened and how she lied by omission when she was questioned. I love the opening line. "Sometime in the last day or so, ever since Joel Gallagher disappeared, I became a liar." Totally grabs you. The entire first paragraph is well done. I've always said the first paragraph is critical and this author nails it.
From here, you have a nonlinear telling of how Joel came to be missing after what should have been a routine camping trip in the woods behind Aubrey's house. Something they've done for years. The nonlinear way the facts come to light definitely adds to the mystery. The author lays out little bits at a time like bait. We learn that Joel has been bullied all year and during the last two weeks of school, he and Aubrey snuck out to build a raft in the woods. They've both had it with 6th grade, especially since the principal is weak about punishing the bully.
*Spoiler*
There is much to like about this book. It's a great story of friendship, of adolescent confusion, of coming to terms with yourself. There's even a bit of religion thrown in, which I think was well done. Aubrey struggles with religion as many kids do. The author is genuine with this, presenting Catholicism in a way which adult Christians may not like. The consolation is that Aubrey admits that God is not something you'll ever understand and you must simply have faith.
This book is definitely well written and the author has talent, but I won't be putting this book in my library for two reasons. One, I don't think it's fair for publishers to fail to disclose sensitive topics in the book description, and homosexuality and transgenderism are most definitely sensitive topics for this age group. Two, no one can truly define what it means to be male or female beyond biology. No one can define what it means to "feel" male or female. Doing so is simply stereotyping. If Aubrey thinks she is a boy, that feeling is based on a stereotype of what a boy is. We need to get away from classifying behaviors as male or female and maybe people who don't "feel" the way culture defines their gender, will learn to be happy with the way they were born.
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