Tall Tales - Softcover

Day, Karen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0375837744 ISBN 13: 9780375837746

Publisher: Yearling, 2008

Synopsis

MEG’S FAMILY HAS moved a lot because of her father’s drinking. Meg arrives in her town longing to find a real friend, someone she can talk to and write stories with. When she and Grace join forces to write a book, she can’t believe that she has finally found someone who likes her for who she is, who trusts her and confides in her. But she can’t tell Grace about her father. Even though she hates to lie, Meg can’t resist telling tall tales about her family and her life. Friendship turns out to be the key, not only to telling the truth, but to a better life for her family.

About this title

About the Author

Karen Day grew up in Indiana and now lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with her husband and three children. You can reach Karen at her Web site, www.klday.com.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–7—Meg Summers is once again entering school as the new kid, and sixth grade in Lake Haven, IN, makes her feel just as lonely as she did on the previous moves. She wants a friend so badly that she begins fabricating stories to sound exciting and interesting. When she does make friends with Grace Bennett, one of the "peppy blond girls," her stories continue, this time to cover up her family's secret. Meg's father is an alcoholic and his binges are becoming more frequent and violent, especially since her older brother is fighting back. When Grace's stepmom drives Meg home after one of her many visits, they witness an altercation between Mr. Summers and Teddy in the driveway. Day uses the friendship between the girls and the strong adult support of Grace's family and a favorite aunt to pave the path Meg follows to trust others enough to finally tell the truth about her dad. "I've been telling the biggest tall tale of my life to myself." The author's portrayal of a family in crisis is convincingly tragic: "...it's not until mom hands him coffee that I see in his eyes how it will be today and how I should feel." Although there is no fairy-tale ending, the story is realistic and hopeful with discussable issues appropriate for a wide audience.—D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH
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Edition details

• Publisher: Yearling
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0375837744
• ISBN 13: 9780375837746
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 240