Stead, Rebecca. 2013. Liar and Spy. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375850875
Georges, a seventh grader, has just moved from his house to an apartment in Brooklyn with his family. He has found his circle of friends at school to be dwindling, so when he meets Safer, another boy his age, in his building he goes along with all the plans set before him. At least at first. Safer has started a spy club and wants Georges’s help in discovering what the mysterious Mr. X in their building is all about. As the story progresses, Safer becomes more and more bold and Georges becomes more and more uncomfortable. In the end, Georges makes a discovery about Safer that also helps him to uncover something about himself. Sometimes the things we are most afraid of are the things we need to share the most.
Liar and Spy kept me guessing until the end. Stead drops little hints here and there, but the whole truth isn’t revealed until the very end. This novel would be ideal to share with upper elementary to middle grade students. Discussions would center heavily around relationships and the ways we interact with one another. Family dynamics are also visited in this story as the two main characters come from very different homes. The value of sharing your fears as a way of overcoming them ends up being a valuable message for the reader to take away from this fun novel.
Other titles by Rebecca Stead
When You Reach Me
Goodbye Stranger
First Light
Plan B
Rebecca Stead was on the list of required authors.
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