In the
summer of 2009 I was plowing through my state award nominees to ensure I’d read
every title before school started. I picked up Rebecca Stead’s First Light,
not having any idea what the book was about. The two storylines were so
interesting, I knew they’d likely come together but wasn’t sure how. Mesmerized
by the detail, the characters, their worlds, I fell in love with Stead’s
writing.
A few
months later I picked up her next book, When You Reach Me. Turning the pages I was
drawn to Miranda and her world. Why was Sal angry with her? Would her mom win
the game show? And who was leaving her those notes? I still remember thinking
there were some odd things happening in the book and then I reached a page
somewhere in the 160s and gasped. I vividly recall goose bumps rising up on my
arms, the hairs standing at attention. I had to finish, breathlessly, and then
immediately reread the book.
And then
I began my eager wait for her next novel. A few weeks ago, the wait was over.
Liar
& Spy was finally out in the world. I had longed for an ARC, wished and
prayed, but in the end, I’m grateful just to have read it. What a beautiful
book.
This book follows the story of Georges. Named after the artist Georges Seurat, Georges has to deal with many irritations, including the mispronunciation of his name. (The “S” is silent) When we begin the book, Georges and his family are moving to an apartment. Finances are tough, his dad has lost his job and is starting a small business, and his mom is working double shifts at the hospital.
Life at
school isn’t much easier. Georges isn’t fitting in with his old friends and
some others are just downright mean. Luckily he meets a new kid, Safer, when he
moves into the apartment building. He becomes part of Safer’s Spy Club and immediately
is set to work.
There were many reasons I enjoyed this book. I completely identified with Georges and how he often lived in his head. I loved the relationship between he and his parents. Safer’s family was so different from George’s, I thought it was a great contrast. But mostly, I just fell in love with Stead’s writing all over again. The details are amazing, the story compelling, and the characters are memorable. Highly recommend this book, it will be my second read aloud to my fifth graders this year.
There were many reasons I enjoyed this book. I completely identified with Georges and how he often lived in his head. I loved the relationship between he and his parents. Safer’s family was so different from George’s, I thought it was a great contrast. But mostly, I just fell in love with Stead’s writing all over again. The details are amazing, the story compelling, and the characters are memorable. Highly recommend this book, it will be my second read aloud to my fifth graders this year.
