Lexie's Little Lie

Gr 4–6—Is telling a lie the better choice when that lie spares someone's feelings? Is it alright to lie to avoid getting someone into trouble? Lexie is confounded by these questions that neither she nor the adults in her life seem able to consistently answer. When her family's matriarch dies before passing along an heirloom necklace, Lexie is forced to choose between telling a truth that will undo generations of tradition or telling a lie that may save her mother incredible grief. Set in a Greek neighborhood in present day London, Lexie and her best friend/cousin Eleni enjoy large family gatherings and huge traditional meals of fasolia, makaronia tou forno, avgolemono, and meatballs—but their happy childhood bubble begins to unravel when a new girl moves to town and a family dispute tests their bonds. This realistic offering from Shevah (Dream on Amber and Dara Palmer's Major Drama) depicts the delicate balance involved in both middle grade friendships and in families. At times humorous, the title also depicts moments of sadness and painful tension, especially while Lexie grapples with the terrible fallout of the well-intentioned lie she's told. Though the ending is a bit unrealistic and tends towards a Hollywood fix, the story is full of heart and will resonate with Raina Telgemeier fans.