How to Tell a True Story

Gr 5-8–It seemed that seventh grader Amber’s life was getting easier after her family moved into their own home, but then tragedy strikes in the form of a devastating fire that destroys everything they own. Amber’s teenage brother, Gage, becomes a reluctant hero when it’s revealed that he risked his life to save Amber from the fire, though this newfound fame quickly proves to be a double-edged sword. In no time, Amber becomes more popular, she gains a cute boy’s attention, and her middle school peers rally to support the family through a large-scale fundraising initiative. However, the stress of the fire seems to tear her family apart; Amber, her mother, and little sister Clancy move in with Aunt Nor and her big, chaotic family, while Amber’s father and Gage move to an apartment. Amber shows that she is resilient, supportive of her family, and cautious about her newfound popularity, but soon the shocking truth about the fire forces her to confront the challenge of balancing honesty with loyalty to those she loves. Amber and her friends are portrayed realistically as teens with typical cliques, social anxieties, and dynamics of middle school groups. Her family is well defined and instantly relatable. The theme that everyone deserves kindness is not heavy-handed but develops through the interactions of students, family, and teachers, reminding readers that everyone carries their own unseen struggles.