In the story The Book of One Hundred Truths by Jule Schumacher, we meet Theodora Grumman (Thea) and learn she is a self-proclaimed liar. Sent to the Jersey Shore for an annual visit with her grandparents, her mother has asked her to record 100 truths in a blue notebook. Secrets and lies are the main theme of this book. And, it is through the lies and secrets, that Thea learns the truth about herself.
This book isn't the most earth-shattering young adult novel I've read. While the build up to the secrets and lies is big, once revealed they just aren't that compelling. What is disappointing is that the secrets the Grumman family is keeping and the lies Thea tells to protect her secret have the potential to be much more heart-wrenching and life-changing. However, Schumacher doesn't take the story far enough.
Knowing my students and their hate of endings that do not sum everything up and provide a tidy package of an ending, this book would not be one of their favorites. However, I think that young adults would like to read about the relationship between Thea and Jocelyn because everyone can relate to that pesky younger sibling, cousin or neighbor!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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