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A Truth Worth Tellin'
New author Toni Teepell's debut, A Truth Worth Tellin', is a story of unconditional love. It chronicles a family who triumphs in the midst of utter tragedy and a true friendship between two likeminded souls. At twelve-years-old Maggie Wall is on the brink of blooming when she learns how to swallow a spoonful of fate. While she knows that no one can be blamed for her mother's schizophrenia, it is not easy being her daughter. Still, there are a lot worse things than facing crazy and she is certain that the truth really does set folks free. Maggie's father is her anchor and Samantha, Maggie's cigar smoking, candy-stealing friend, is her summer's ultimate challenge. Through Maggie, Samantha is able to be a little more honest as she comes to grips with her own mother, an abusive drunk who is known to take just as many swings as she does swigs. With a prose that is decidedly Delta, this gripping Louisiana tale marks a bold new voice in modern Southern literature.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Toni Teepell
2 books19 followersToni Teepell was born and raised in Louisiana. A graduate of Louisiana State University, she taught elementary school for fourteen years before relocating with her husband, Charlie, to Houston. They have three children and one grandson. A Truth Worth Tellin' is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 7, 2011
At times this book came across as preachy, particularly at the end. Coupled with a couple of typos, I'm left thinking that Teepell needed better editing. I love that Mama's mental illness doesn't completely define her or her relationship with those she loves. A Truth Worth Tellin' would make an excellent follow-up book to My Louisiana Sky.
October 27, 2010
This little book is filled with situations that tug at the heartstrings. The super glue bond that family love provides. The sisterly love of a best friend. A mother's love for her daughter. And neighborly love for those in need. None of them are safe in young Maggie's world. This poor child gets put through an emotional wringer, finding herself closer to adult tribulations than any 12 year old should ever have to handle.
Maggie's mom is schizophrenic. Her episodes of crazy mama cause the family to skip town on countless occasions, setting up shop in a new town while Maggie's mom gets treatment in a hospital. Maggie's dad toils away at manual labor to try to make ends meet and spends all his free time trying to hold his family together. Maggie's new best friend is being raised by - or rather living with - an alcoholic single mother. And Maggie's rich landlords seem to have issues with her best friend. You would think this book was terribly sad - and much of it is. But honestly, for all of the troubled pages, there are also pages filled with perfect happiness and youthful humor. For there are not always bad days. Days of stability are glimmers of hope for consistent normalcy and time for little girls to be kids.
The parallel of Maggie's mom and her friend's mom was most interesting to me. That Maggie could love her mother unconditionally without thought and not see why her friend had a hard time hating her mother's demons and actions. Both mothers are gripped by illness and cause harm to their daughters. Both daughters see the mama at the core and want them to shine through. And the friends support each other and learn about trust, acceptance and forgiveness along the way.
The author, in her debut, has written a story of love and survival. It would be especially moving for young adults experiencing similar elements of the story's circumstances - there are good lessons inside - but not necessarily happily ever after with a cherry on top. I found it to be engaging and marked lots of pages whose passages expressed things just right. I never did quite feel completely in the mind of a child so the point of view distracted me at times. But the plot and characters drew me in and I am glad I took the time to meet them.
Maggie's mom is schizophrenic. Her episodes of crazy mama cause the family to skip town on countless occasions, setting up shop in a new town while Maggie's mom gets treatment in a hospital. Maggie's dad toils away at manual labor to try to make ends meet and spends all his free time trying to hold his family together. Maggie's new best friend is being raised by - or rather living with - an alcoholic single mother. And Maggie's rich landlords seem to have issues with her best friend. You would think this book was terribly sad - and much of it is. But honestly, for all of the troubled pages, there are also pages filled with perfect happiness and youthful humor. For there are not always bad days. Days of stability are glimmers of hope for consistent normalcy and time for little girls to be kids.
The parallel of Maggie's mom and her friend's mom was most interesting to me. That Maggie could love her mother unconditionally without thought and not see why her friend had a hard time hating her mother's demons and actions. Both mothers are gripped by illness and cause harm to their daughters. Both daughters see the mama at the core and want them to shine through. And the friends support each other and learn about trust, acceptance and forgiveness along the way.
The author, in her debut, has written a story of love and survival. It would be especially moving for young adults experiencing similar elements of the story's circumstances - there are good lessons inside - but not necessarily happily ever after with a cherry on top. I found it to be engaging and marked lots of pages whose passages expressed things just right. I never did quite feel completely in the mind of a child so the point of view distracted me at times. But the plot and characters drew me in and I am glad I took the time to meet them.
January 27, 2010
Toni Teepell's debut novel, A Truth Worth Telling; tells the story of a 12 year old girl and her life growing up as the child of a schizoprenic mother. Her father moves her and her mother to a small southern town. The family moves there because it's close to the mental hospital her mother uses. Maggie, our main character, is forced to grow up way to fast to deal with the hand that life has dealt her.
Told with heartbreaking tenderness, humor and honesty, this novel takes us through her trials of getting accepted into a new small town, the stigma of mental illness, and isolation. Maggie is nervous about telling locals the story of her Mother's illness, so it takes her quite a while to find a friend. Her friend, another young girl in the town, is also a bit of an outsider. Daughter of an alcoholic mother who abuses her, her risk taking, cigar smoking and petty thief new friend, Samantha, has a world of troubles of her own.
Rich in small southern town charm, we meet other characters who likewise seem true to life and somewhat eccentric. I found myself totally absorbed in the story, and truly cared about the people therein. When I finished the book, I wished there was more.....a part 2, so I could continue to share Maggie and Samantha's life. In my mind, that is the true hallmark of a well written novel; people you wonder about and care for when the book is over.
I look forward to reading more by Toni Teepell, and thank her for a touching, sometimes hearbreaking novel. She shows great promise as an author.
Told with heartbreaking tenderness, humor and honesty, this novel takes us through her trials of getting accepted into a new small town, the stigma of mental illness, and isolation. Maggie is nervous about telling locals the story of her Mother's illness, so it takes her quite a while to find a friend. Her friend, another young girl in the town, is also a bit of an outsider. Daughter of an alcoholic mother who abuses her, her risk taking, cigar smoking and petty thief new friend, Samantha, has a world of troubles of her own.
Rich in small southern town charm, we meet other characters who likewise seem true to life and somewhat eccentric. I found myself totally absorbed in the story, and truly cared about the people therein. When I finished the book, I wished there was more.....a part 2, so I could continue to share Maggie and Samantha's life. In my mind, that is the true hallmark of a well written novel; people you wonder about and care for when the book is over.
I look forward to reading more by Toni Teepell, and thank her for a touching, sometimes hearbreaking novel. She shows great promise as an author.
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February 8, 2010A Truth Worth Tellin' just received the Spring 2010 Written Art Awards for Best Fiction!
August 1, 2020
Quick and easy read, and I enjoyed the story. Told from the eyes of an 11 year old, it touches on some hard subjects in life, mental illness, alcoholism, and death. The book does touch on God throughout the story but doesn't feel preachy until the end with Elizabeth's letter to Maggie. The writing style was a bit confusing at moments, and I did have to reread paragraphs before realizing the missing context was in the next one. This story would be one I would have probably read in middle school, but I enjoyed seeing it through older eyes and understanding the complexity of the parent's choices in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2017
Can't remember the last time a good book made me cry! I loved it and I felt like I knew the characters deeply and personally.
January 27, 2023
This was a nice read. There were typos here and there but didn’t bother me. I really felt for everyone in this story.
January 7, 2011
In Toni Tepell's debut novel, A Truth Worth Tellin', the reader is introduced to Maggie, a child wise beyond her years and with resposibilities no pre- teen should have to have. Right from the start, I was drawn in by almost 12 year old Maggie's narration of her family coping with life in the '60's in the small town of Pearl, Louisiana.
Riding her bike to the store with her friend Sam, eating oatmeal cookies with the next door neighbor's housekeeper and visiting the library make up a lot of the summer activities. As Maggie, a voracious reader, tells us, the library consists of a couple of bookcases on Miss Annabelle Whitney's front porch.
Unfortunately,there are other matters that are paramount. Maggie and her father have a lot to deal with as her mother is a schizophrenic and this makes for a difficult time growing up. The following passage, so poignantly written, seems to sum up the essence of Maggie's life.
"We do all our living when we have the well Mama. Monopoly games or cards take over most evenings. Some nights we lie in the backyard and look up at the stars. Once we played hide and seek in the house. Ran like we were out in the fields, laughing until our bellies hurt, tears rolling down our face. Her laugh is better than anything in the world."
Too often there is the reality of the sick Mama. Maggie tells other people if they ask about her mother simply that "she keeps busy". Although Maggie does not like to lie sometimes, as she tells God, the truth ain't worth tellin'. But through it all, Maggie loves her mother more than anything. It's the times the family deals with the sick Mama that will tear at your heart.
The book is not all sadness, there are so many moments of light heartedness and joy; even some humor is interjected as Maggie is consumed with things most eleven, almost twelve, years old girls are. Along with Maggie's family story, there is another plot line of Maggie's friend Sam and the story of her relationship with her single, alcoholic mother. Overall, another theme of unconditional love and faith so very well written.
If you are a fan of books that magically evoke images of another time and place and show you inside the characters' hearts, then this is the book for you. A Truth Worth Tellin' is an endearing and emotionally compelling read with likeable, believable characters that I found very difficult to put down. Southern charm at it's best. I'll be most anxious to read another of Toni's books.
.
Riding her bike to the store with her friend Sam, eating oatmeal cookies with the next door neighbor's housekeeper and visiting the library make up a lot of the summer activities. As Maggie, a voracious reader, tells us, the library consists of a couple of bookcases on Miss Annabelle Whitney's front porch.
Unfortunately,there are other matters that are paramount. Maggie and her father have a lot to deal with as her mother is a schizophrenic and this makes for a difficult time growing up. The following passage, so poignantly written, seems to sum up the essence of Maggie's life.
"We do all our living when we have the well Mama. Monopoly games or cards take over most evenings. Some nights we lie in the backyard and look up at the stars. Once we played hide and seek in the house. Ran like we were out in the fields, laughing until our bellies hurt, tears rolling down our face. Her laugh is better than anything in the world."
Too often there is the reality of the sick Mama. Maggie tells other people if they ask about her mother simply that "she keeps busy". Although Maggie does not like to lie sometimes, as she tells God, the truth ain't worth tellin'. But through it all, Maggie loves her mother more than anything. It's the times the family deals with the sick Mama that will tear at your heart.
The book is not all sadness, there are so many moments of light heartedness and joy; even some humor is interjected as Maggie is consumed with things most eleven, almost twelve, years old girls are. Along with Maggie's family story, there is another plot line of Maggie's friend Sam and the story of her relationship with her single, alcoholic mother. Overall, another theme of unconditional love and faith so very well written.
If you are a fan of books that magically evoke images of another time and place and show you inside the characters' hearts, then this is the book for you. A Truth Worth Tellin' is an endearing and emotionally compelling read with likeable, believable characters that I found very difficult to put down. Southern charm at it's best. I'll be most anxious to read another of Toni's books.
.
December 29, 2009
A TRUTH WORTH TELLIN’
BY TONI TEEPELL
This heartfelt story is set in the South and told with a Southern charm.
Within the first few pages, I could feel the emotions of the main
character, Maggie, and understand why she finds comfort in lying about
her family life. If only her sugar sweet lies were truth, and little Maggie
didn’t have a mother that was schizophrenic.
Maggie and her Daddy move to Pearl, Louisiana into a small house near
the state mental hospital, where her mother is a patient. The house is
equipped with pink azaleas, a tree house in the front yard, and a little girl
named Sam. She seems to be a permanent fixture to the house, arriving
at a moment’s notice on her bicycle with a carefree smile and untamed
strawberry-colored hair. Then one day, Sam can no longer hide the truth
after appearing beaten. Over a game of “Go Fish” and peanut butter/jelly
sandwiches, the girls stop lying about their mamas and realize they share
a common bond: mothers that are troubled with sicknesses.
The descriptive, vibrant author takes us on a journey through the lives of
two eleven-year-olds as they experience events that most adults will
never encounter. They learn how to cope with family issues, a distant
community, and learning life lessons. Pour a glass of sweet tea or coffee
milk, sit on your porch swing, and enjoy this great read. Well done, Toni
Teepell! The truth really is worth telling!
December 28, 2009
♠ L Marie ♥
December 5, 2011
This was a pretty good book! The author came to my school a week or two ago to tell us about it and did a writers' workshop with us. She also sold and autographed books for us.
I decided to read this book for my final book report for my English class. I found it to be very intriguing and I really felt the emotions of the characters. I thought the author did an amazing job with the perspective; I really felt like an 11/12 year old was telling the story from Maggie's childlike optimism to the way she couldn't understand why Sam would go back with her mother after what she'd done. Needless to say, the characters were developed extremely well. I finished the book feeling as though I'd actually met and gotten to know them.
I did find a few typos, but nothing to be too concerned about. The only thing I really didn't like about the book was how preachy it got at times, especially toward the end, as someone else noted. However, I feel that the preachiness went well in keeping with the setting. I live in rural Louisiana and a lot of people here are that way as well.
All in all, it was a very good, quick read. I'd recommend it to anyone.
I decided to read this book for my final book report for my English class. I found it to be very intriguing and I really felt the emotions of the characters. I thought the author did an amazing job with the perspective; I really felt like an 11/12 year old was telling the story from Maggie's childlike optimism to the way she couldn't understand why Sam would go back with her mother after what she'd done. Needless to say, the characters were developed extremely well. I finished the book feeling as though I'd actually met and gotten to know them.
I did find a few typos, but nothing to be too concerned about. The only thing I really didn't like about the book was how preachy it got at times, especially toward the end, as someone else noted. However, I feel that the preachiness went well in keeping with the setting. I live in rural Louisiana and a lot of people here are that way as well.
All in all, it was a very good, quick read. I'd recommend it to anyone.
December 26, 2009
When I didn't win this on the Goodreads giveaway, I immediately ordered from Amazon!
We meet Maggie and her friend Samantha. Each experiencing life as no eleven year old ever should. Each telling lies to keep from admitting the truth about their struggling relationship with their Mothers. This was a very emotional story of fear (of the truth), sharing of those fears and unconditional love.
I laughed and I cried and learned that a truth is worth tellin'! I couldn't put this book down! Loved it from beginning to tearful end.
I look forward to Toni Teepell's book!
We meet Maggie and her friend Samantha. Each experiencing life as no eleven year old ever should. Each telling lies to keep from admitting the truth about their struggling relationship with their Mothers. This was a very emotional story of fear (of the truth), sharing of those fears and unconditional love.
I laughed and I cried and learned that a truth is worth tellin'! I couldn't put this book down! Loved it from beginning to tearful end.
I look forward to Toni Teepell's book!
April 3, 2012
I loved this novel. I could feel Maggie's emotions while she was hiding from the world to keep the truth about her sick mother hidden. I could feel myself breathing deeper once she told her best friend the truth. The inner freedom she received by letting it all out to someone she trusted was all worth telling the truth. I loved the characters. The author grabs your attention immediately and keeps you wanting to know more thru the entire book. Would recommend the book to people of all ages. Will definitely look for more books from this author.
September 4, 2023
202 pages A wonderful book worth reading. The truth is always best even if it hurts and you don’t want anyone to know about family problems. About how people don’t want to get involved with abused kids lives. And how wonderful it is to have a great friend on your side
This is the second time I read this book. I believe Mrs Teepell did a great job for her first book. Thank God Maggie had a wonderful neighbor in Ms. Bea who has someone she could actually talk to and help her understand life is not always easy
This is the second time I read this book. I believe Mrs Teepell did a great job for her first book. Thank God Maggie had a wonderful neighbor in Ms. Bea who has someone she could actually talk to and help her understand life is not always easy
September 8, 2010
This was such a heart warming story about life's cruel ironies.
The story is about a couple of 11 year old girls with very different lives. Maggie, whose perfect little family is devastated by schizophrenia, and her best friend Sam, whose mother struggles with alcoholism.
This is a very quick but moving read and I would recommend it to everyone.
The story is about a couple of 11 year old girls with very different lives. Maggie, whose perfect little family is devastated by schizophrenia, and her best friend Sam, whose mother struggles with alcoholism.
This is a very quick but moving read and I would recommend it to everyone.
March 19, 2010
Set in Louisiana. "Tweens" deal with serious issues such as schizophrenia and child abuse..Some Christianity... They struggle and survive.. Love abounds... even with the most dysfunctional characters...
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April 23, 2011Two girls find strengh in one another to deal with their mothers' illnesses and receive help from kind and loving adults around them. Much of the novel whispers in Southern idioms, scenery and character.
January 30, 2010
This book was a quick read and I enjoyed the story. About two young girls dealing with the ugliness that life can bring/the experience of growing up. Truly worth the read :)
November 21, 2011
I enjoyed the sweet happy/sad story. The author wrote in first person, allowing the reader to feel "with" the character. Well done.
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February 2, 2012This is one of the best books I have ever read!!! I believe any mother would love it!!! It's got humorous parts, but it's also a lesson in faith, love, and family.
April 24, 2012
VERY EMOTIONAL I COULD HAVE CRIED!!!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK--- PLEASE MIND MY SPELLING:)
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK--- PLEASE MIND MY SPELLING:)
July 10, 2012
Wonderful. Very heartwarming.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews