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Liar, Liar

the Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Deception
Jun 17, 2014litriocht rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Kevin is a great liar. And he does it, at least in part, because he believes it is good manners to tell people what they want to hear. In fact, as Paulsen reveals in the Foreword, Kevin has raised the act of white lying to an art form: "yes, I did my homework... I'd love to drive 116 miles to go to a flea market and look for antique cookie jars and old political memorabilia with you and Dad this weekend; and no, I don't have any dirty dishes under my bed." Yes, Kevin is a polite young man. But the week he realizes he has a crush, Kevin overextends his lying abilities. His lies spiral out of control as he tells too many falsehoods to too many people. How will Kevin untangle this mess he has created? Like the wise fool in a Shakespearean play, the small, dirty, hyper boy whom Kevin babysits offers an insight: people appreciate being told the truth. In a style reminiscent of Gordon Korman, Paulsen delivers laugh-out-loud anecdotes in this novel. And, almost hidden by its deft use of humor, this book delivers an understated tale about honesty and responsibility. While this quick, funny read depicts the life of an eighth-grader, its appeal stretches from elementary through middle school levels.