<h3>What I Saw and How I Lied</h3>

Blundell, J. (2008). What I Saw and How I Lied. NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9780439903462.

Plot Summary: New York in the 1940s is a pretty safe place for teenagers, yet Evie Spooner’s mother still wants to protect her. Fifteen-year old Evie doesn’t like rules and just wants to smoke candy cigarettes, listen to Sinatra and hang out with her friend, Margie. Her stepfather, Joe, has returned from war with enough money to make their family prosperous. He announces they will be vacationing in Florida for the summer, but Evie soon learns that her family is actually on the run. Joe is trying to escape the war and his mysterious former Army buddy. A story that is filled with film noir foreshadowing, 1940s slang and emotionally-charged language, this book reveals Evie’s desperate push into adulthood and the unforgettable consequences of her lies.

Critical Evaluation: This books really places the reader into the 1940s era of postwar energy and glam. The language is authentic and the cinematic images add a dimension of film noir mystery to this thrilling tale. The characters are very real and the portrayals of anti-semitism are thought-provoking. Evie’s perspective can be naïve at times, but it makes the story reflect her honesty as the suspense plays itself out.

Reader’s Annotation:
Life is looking up for Evie Spooner as her family is reunioned after the war. They are even taking a luxurious vacation to Palm Beach. Evie is excited until she discovers a family secret that could change everything.

Information About the Author:
Judy Blundell has written books for young adults and adult readers under several pseudonyms. Under the pen name Jude Watson, she has authored several New York Times bestselling and award winning Star Wars books and media tie-in novels. What I Saw and How I Lied won the 2008 National Book Award and her novel, Premonitions, was an ALA Reluctant Readers Best Picks and was chosen by the New York Public Library as a 2004 Best Books for the Teen Age. Among her forthcoming projects is Book #4 in the New York Times bestselling series, The 39 Clues. Judy Blundell lives in Katonah, New York, with her husband and daughter.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Racism
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Mystery: Suspense
Historical Fiction: Twentieth Century (1940-1960)
Multicultural Fiction: Jewish Americans

Curriculum Ties: English class, Ethnic Studies class, History class, Social Studies class, Filmmaking class, Book clubs, Social clubs

Booktalking Ideas:
• The meaning of loyalty as explored in this novel
• Family values during that era
• Evie life before and after she discovers the family secret
• Her attraction to Peter and how that effects the family
• The consequences of her lies

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 9-12

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Racism
• Violence
• Sexual Content
• Adult Language
• Depictions of Smoking and Drinking

Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Refer to recognitions this book has received by reputable organizations:
http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2008_ypl_blundell.html

• Provide book reviews by literary journals and media publications:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm?ezine_preview_number=3306

• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://www.amazon.com/What-Saw-Lied-Judy-Blundell/dp/0439903467

• Provide advisory reviews for parents about this book’s content and age appropriateness:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/what-i-saw-and-how-i-lied

Why This Book Was Included: I remember reading a review of this award-winning book awhile ago. It’s an interesting portrayal of America during that era and there aren’t a lot of popular books that take place then.