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2.98 AVERAGE
2.98 AVERAGE
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/4 stars.
Here's the thing about this book - it's not written for my age. I now remember having read it before and really enjoying it the first time through. Now I feel like the dialogue is lacking and doesn't feel authentic. I didn't enjoy the layout this time, but I do remember that I liked the "documentary" feeling the first time. I will be hanging on to it cause I feel like the book's themes are still very relevant. I liked the exploration Avi goes through of what the "truth" of the matter is. Of course, I now recognize that Phillip is an asshole kid who is ungrateful for everything and everyone around him. But at 14 I think we really are pretty selfish in the way that he is.
I'd recommend this book to younger readers, or people who want to finish a book in one sitting to get on track for your reading challenge. ;)
Here's the thing about this book - it's not written for my age. I now remember having read it before and really enjoying it the first time through. Now I feel like the dialogue is lacking and doesn't feel authentic. I didn't enjoy the layout this time, but I do remember that I liked the "documentary" feeling the first time. I will be hanging on to it cause I feel like the book's themes are still very relevant. I liked the exploration Avi goes through of what the "truth" of the matter is. Of course, I now recognize that Phillip is an asshole kid who is ungrateful for everything and everyone around him. But at 14 I think we really are pretty selfish in the way that he is.
I'd recommend this book to younger readers, or people who want to finish a book in one sitting to get on track for your reading challenge. ;)
The most infuriating book I have ever read! I am a teacher and how quickly rumors of discipline unfold! I do feel for this boy that brings all of this mess about. I wish he understood the weight careless words carry and that his parents would make him feel the weight of his consequences. Also… God told us to listen first. Gather all the facts and weigh all the options before jumping to fast conclusions… fast conclusions lead to ruin… also loved the quote that no one notices the years of amazing work she did, but quickly hated her for the one disciplinary action that lead to this whole book… I think all parents, teachers, students should have to read this!!!
I wouldn't read this book ever again. This was a school book and that is how it will stay.
Story time! I first read this book when I was in seventh grade. Being the nerd girl that I was, I was just excited to get a new book in my hands for class, but little did I know that I would be using this book in my own classroom 15 years later! Nothing But the Truth is a documentary novel, which I absolutely love because the reader gets all of the information to get a clear idea of what actually happened in Ms. Narwin’s homeroom class when Philip Malloy decided he was going to sing the National Anthem. This novel is old, but I think the message and idea of something small being blown out of proportion is something that is still relatable in 2022. Kids seem to enjoy it too. Not just because of the set-up (less words for them to read), but also the plot and finding the bits and pieces that don’t line up with the actual truth. It’s also great for discussions. I really enjoy this book from a teacher perspective, but also as a reader. Very highly recommend.
Really enjoyed this - very clever way to tell a story. Interestingly the kids hate it.
I read this quickly so that I could talk about it with students in the class I'm subbing for. It's an excellent choice for middle school literature, and a great jumping off point for conversations about personal responsibility, the complexities of truth, how small disagreements get out of hand, and effective communication to name a few.
Basically, Phillip Malloy hums along to the national anthem in his new homeroom class despite the morning announcement asking for students to stand in silent attention. When his teacher (whom he doesn't really like in the first place and has had misunderstandings with before) asks him to be quiet, he does, grudgingly. But Phillip thinks the rule is insignificant and stupid and so continues to hum. When asked again to stop and be quiet, he refuses and his teacher sends him out of class for being disrespectful. The same thing happens again on a different day. Now he's been sent out twice in a week, admits to breaking a rule (being disrespectful), and chooses to be suspended rather than apologize.
From there, things get blown out of proportion because no one communicates effectively. Philip tells his parents that he got suspended for humming the national anthem, which isn't a lie, exactly, but definitely isn't the whole truth. His parents take up the cause in the name of patriotism and tell a neighbor who's running for school board. Who tells a reporter. Who prints a story. Which gets picked up for national news. Which gets discussed on talk radio shows...and ends with a good and well-respected teacher unable to understand how they got from a minor disciplinary infraction over disrespectful behavior (not following instructions) to being a national scapegoat. All because no one told the whole truth and no one listened; all the characters are forever interrupting each other and no one really gets a word in. Either they were hiding things (like Philip) or found the incident too beneath them to comment (Miss Narwin and other school officials), but the fact remains that the whole truth was never presented even though, arguably, all the things that were said were nothing but the truth.
And in the end, no one gets what they want. Miss Narwin is essentially forced out of teaching. Philip transfers schools to a school without a track team (his one passion). The school board's budget doesn't pass. Ted gets elected to the school board, so I guess he does get what he wants, but he's the only one.
Basically, Phillip Malloy hums along to the national anthem in his new homeroom class despite the morning announcement asking for students to stand in silent attention. When his teacher (whom he doesn't really like in the first place and has had misunderstandings with before) asks him to be quiet, he does, grudgingly. But Phillip thinks the rule is insignificant and stupid and so continues to hum. When asked again to stop and be quiet, he refuses and his teacher sends him out of class for being disrespectful. The same thing happens again on a different day. Now he's been sent out twice in a week, admits to breaking a rule (being disrespectful), and chooses to be suspended rather than apologize.
From there, things get blown out of proportion because no one communicates effectively. Philip tells his parents that he got suspended for humming the national anthem, which isn't a lie, exactly, but definitely isn't the whole truth. His parents take up the cause in the name of patriotism and tell a neighbor who's running for school board. Who tells a reporter. Who prints a story. Which gets picked up for national news. Which gets discussed on talk radio shows...and ends with a good and well-respected teacher unable to understand how they got from a minor disciplinary infraction over disrespectful behavior (not following instructions) to being a national scapegoat. All because no one told the whole truth and no one listened; all the characters are forever interrupting each other and no one really gets a word in. Either they were hiding things (like Philip) or found the incident too beneath them to comment (Miss Narwin and other school officials), but the fact remains that the whole truth was never presented even though, arguably, all the things that were said were nothing but the truth.
And in the end, no one gets what they want. Miss Narwin is essentially forced out of teaching. Philip transfers schools to a school without a track team (his one passion). The school board's budget doesn't pass. Ted gets elected to the school board, so I guess he does get what he wants, but he's the only one.
I am a speech language pathologist who works with middle schoolers. One of the classes I work with recently read this book. Due to its unique delivery system of memos, conversations, interviews, etc. it was an excellent resource for teaching perspective taking, theory of mind, etc. while still being age appropriate and engaging for students.