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2.98 AVERAGE
2.98 AVERAGE
This story is aimed at high school or junior high school audience, and it shows. There is little to no character development: Philip, the antagonist, is identifiable only by his love of track and hatred of his ninth-grade English class; Philip's parents only distinguishing characteristic is their steadfast support for their son; the defining characteristic of Miss Narwin, the protagonist, is her profession as a teacher; the school administrators are little more than plot devices; Philip's fellow students are distinguishable only in terms of their sex and their names. There is no depth to any of these characters.
The lack of character development, though it is certainly a weakness, is perhaps a bit understandable in this rather short and largely plot-driven novel. The plot is interesting enough to carry the reader forward effortlessly, but there is one rather gaping flaw: a key aspect of the story is a newspaper article that is full of half-truths based solely on Philip's rendition of his conflict with Miss Narwin. The school superintendent, after investigating this matter, writes up a clear, concise memo that addresses all the problems with Philip's version of the story and that completely exonerates Miss Narwin. If this memo had been sent to the reporter who wrote the original newspaper article or to any of the other reporters who follow up on the story, the negative publicity that school received from the initial article could have been immediately countered, but this is never done. The school superintendent, after drawing up this memo, decides, inexplicably, to try to make a scapegoat of Miss Narwin. Miss Narwin herself is strangely reluctant to defend herself: had she told any of the reporters who contacted the exact details of the story, the firestorm of bad publicity could have been ended promptly.
Nothing But the Truth begins with an interesting premise, but it is a frustrating story in that none of the characters who could easily remedy the conundrum that arises do so. As such, it is simply not a very realistic story. I suppose that this story might work better for younger readers who may be more interested in plot than in characterization and who are less likely to notice or object to the gaping hole in the plot.
The lack of character development, though it is certainly a weakness, is perhaps a bit understandable in this rather short and largely plot-driven novel. The plot is interesting enough to carry the reader forward effortlessly, but there is one rather gaping flaw: a key aspect of the story is a newspaper article that is full of half-truths based solely on Philip's rendition of his conflict with Miss Narwin. The school superintendent, after investigating this matter, writes up a clear, concise memo that addresses all the problems with Philip's version of the story and that completely exonerates Miss Narwin. If this memo had been sent to the reporter who wrote the original newspaper article or to any of the other reporters who follow up on the story, the negative publicity that school received from the initial article could have been immediately countered, but this is never done. The school superintendent, after drawing up this memo, decides, inexplicably, to try to make a scapegoat of Miss Narwin. Miss Narwin herself is strangely reluctant to defend herself: had she told any of the reporters who contacted the exact details of the story, the firestorm of bad publicity could have been ended promptly.
Nothing But the Truth begins with an interesting premise, but it is a frustrating story in that none of the characters who could easily remedy the conundrum that arises do so. As such, it is simply not a very realistic story. I suppose that this story might work better for younger readers who may be more interested in plot than in characterization and who are less likely to notice or object to the gaping hole in the plot.
worst book i have ever read. i might write a review later bc it was just that bad.
Not since Charlotte Simmons have I so badly wanted to punch a protagonist in the face.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
PIECE OF CRAP KID RUINS TEACHER'S LIFE, CLUELESS PARENTS ENABLE HIM
From the review of Megan:
This book's sole redeeming aspect is its unique format of conversation transcripts, letters, memos, and telegrams (not that my kids know what telegrams are). I think this book is meant to be a universal cautionary tale. A too-cool-for-school jock decides to deliberately irritate his homeroom/English teacher to punish her for his grade keeping him off the track team. The teacher overreacts and sends him to the principal. The principal suspends him. He talks to the neighbor, who gets a reporter, and like a game of telephone, the story transmitted across the country is KID EXPELLED FOR SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM. His completely clueless parents, who are pretty clearly projecting their failed Olympic dreams onto him and pressuring him re: track, egg him on and never question that the story they're hearing might not be true. The teacher, who knows she's out of touch with her students and did not condone the kid's suspension, ends up getting "offered" the chance to "take a sabbatical." The kid is reluctant to see that this thing has massively spiraled out of control and never actually like, says this, or apologizes. He transfers to a new school without a track team and the teacher resigns and now nobody is happy.
Honestly, the only takeaway I have from this as a teacher is to be very cautious about disciplining my students, because God knows what could happen to me.
From the review of Megan:
This book's sole redeeming aspect is its unique format of conversation transcripts, letters, memos, and telegrams (not that my kids know what telegrams are). I think this book is meant to be a universal cautionary tale. A too-cool-for-school jock decides to deliberately irritate his homeroom/English teacher to punish her for his grade keeping him off the track team. The teacher overreacts and sends him to the principal. The principal suspends him. He talks to the neighbor, who gets a reporter, and like a game of telephone, the story transmitted across the country is KID EXPELLED FOR SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM. His completely clueless parents, who are pretty clearly projecting their failed Olympic dreams onto him and pressuring him re: track, egg him on and never question that the story they're hearing might not be true. The teacher, who knows she's out of touch with her students and did not condone the kid's suspension, ends up getting "offered" the chance to "take a sabbatical." The kid is reluctant to see that this thing has massively spiraled out of control and never actually like, says this, or apologizes. He transfers to a new school without a track team and the teacher resigns and now nobody is happy.
Honestly, the only takeaway I have from this as a teacher is to be very cautious about disciplining my students, because God knows what could happen to me.
The format of this: reports, transcripts, memos, etc; was really interesting and quick to read. It made me queasy, though, to see this disagreement and misunderstanding blown so out of proportion by people not caring to get the whole story. It hit too close to home and had devastating consequences for those involved. Important lessons about perspective and media.
A book for a kid who feels misunderstood by teachers and authorities. Filled with so many perspectives- the kid in question, the strict teacher, other kids who take sides, the assistant principal who enforces rules by the book, the parents, the media, the public, etc. My favorite minor character was the one who protested the story by saying, “This is only one side of the story. What’s missing?” A humorous little twist at the end. (Fountas & Pinnell Level U)
informative
reflective
fast-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