The Honest Truth

Reviewed by: Carla McAllister - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Maine, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 24, 2015

Review

Mark is a young boy who has had to deal with much loss in his young life. His beloved Grandfather has died and he has a serious, recurring illness that may take his life soon. He is angry at having spent so much time in hospitals, all the school and fun activities he has missed out on, it hurts him to watch his parents and loved ones crying and pretending happiness for his sake, and he has decided to give up. He decides to run away with his beloved dog, Beau, to Mt. Rainier and climb to the summit. It is something his Grandfather promised him they would do together when Mark got better, but his Grandfather fell ill and made Mark promise that he would climb that mountain someday. This is a brutally honest book and is a tearjerker, for sure, but it is well-written and youngsters for whom it is written will enjoy Mark's thought processes and will appreciate the relatively happy ending to Mark's journey. I would recommend this title whole-heartedly.

Overall Book Score: excellent