Even When You Lie to Me

Gr 10 Up—Charlie is dreading her senior year. Introverted, not traditionally pretty, and a bit of a bookworm, she has her sights set on life after high school. In fact, Charlie has applied early decision to Oberlin College. Her ever-loyal best friend, Lila, has become popular overnight, throwing Charlie's social inadequacies into sharper contrast. Mr. Drummond, her new English teacher, is the only bright spot in her life. He's young, super-friendly, and seems to get her. When Charlie's Type-A mother insists that she participate in an extracurricular activity, the girl joins the school newspaper, newly revived by Mr. Drummond. Charlie develops an intense and all-consuming crush on him, fueled by their time working on the newspaper together and discussing books in and out of class. Mr. Drummond is friendly to everyone, but Charlie senses that there is something different about his feelings for her. Alcott pushes the boundaries in this exploration of a taboo student-teacher relationship. Charlie's sexual thoughts and desires are candidly and honestly depicted. Complex emotional content is handled tactfully and sensitively. Additionally, all of Alcott's characters are well developed, from Charlie's parents to the Indian American twins in her English class, who befriend her. All have distinct personalities and motivations, adding to the realistic atmosphere the author has created. The witty repartee among characters is reminiscent of the dialogue in John Green's novels or a Gilmore Girls episode—although slightly improbable at times, it never fails to entertain.