The Lies About Truth

Gr 9 Up—A year ago, Sadie had four close friends and a boyfriend. Then, the accident happened and one of them didn't survive. Shortly after the tragedy, Sadie caught her now ex-boyfriend, Gray, kissing her former best friend, Gina. Now, Sadie is covered in scars she likes to name and Max, the only friend she still speaks with lives in El Salvador. They are all keeping secrets. Can they come together to learn the truth of the accident? The event changed everyone, but will they learn to love their current selves and each other or forever be stuck in the past? Sadie must learn to overcome her scars, physical and emotional, to find how to move forward, with or without her friends. Stevens weaves a tale not only of survival but also of learning to thrive. This realistic YA novel explores the weight of the past, the value of the truth, and the meaning and process of forgiveness, which teen readers will identify with. The narrative is told with a mix of flashbacks and past emails that bring perspective and a much needed history of the characters, giving them depth and authenticity.