Zach's Lie (Zach's Lie, 1)

Lies and secrets abound in this dark and suspenseful story about a boy who must run from his past but can’t outrun the danger.
 
Zach Granger’s whole identity is a lie―his name, his hometown, even his eye color. All because of one night that changed everything: The night masked men broke into his house, threatened his family, and ransacked their home. Why? Because his father had been arrested for drug trafficking―and he snitched.

Now in the Witness Security Program, Zach moves to Elko, Nevada, a town in the middle of nowhere. He’s having trouble getting used to this new life when he meets Sam, the strangest custodian at his new school, and Catalin, a girl who might just make his whole uprooting worth it. But just as Zach finally begins to pull himself together, he finds himself in danger again. And this time his actions could determine the fates of everyone he cares about most.
 
With complex characters and heartfelt moments, this story of identity and truth will keep readers turning the page.

Roland Smith is a former zoo curator and research biologist, and a New York Times bestselling author. He has published more than twenty novels for children and young adults, including Peak, Zach’s Lie, and Cryptid Hunters. He and his wife, Marie, who is also an author, live on a small farm near Portland, Oregon.