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A review by sandrareilly513
Truthers by Geoffrey Girard
4.0
Katie never believed in her dad -- he let her down too many times to count. His bad combination of drugs and alcohol left Katie picking up his responsibilities all throughout her childhood, forcing her to learn that the only person she could depend on is herself. When the police bring Child Services to her front door, Katie isn't shocked, knowing it was only a matter of time. What she didn't expect was to hear her dad has been admitted to a mental institution due to a violent encounter with coworkers and claims of 9/11 conspiracies involving former vice president Dick Cheney. Katie remembers her dad spouting "truther" conspiracies sporadically, mostly when he was either drunk or high. But when her dad shares a dark secret with her, she finds herself thrust into a world of lies, half-truths, and corruption. Now Katie must figure out if her dad could be telling the truth -- which would shake up her world completely -- or if he really is in the place where he belongs.
Thoughts: Girard's novel had me riveted and horrified all at the same time. Like many reading this review, I remember 9/11 very clearly -- I can tell you where I was when each plane crashed, how I felt when each tower crumbled before the world's very eyes, and how my friends, family, and students were directly affected by what happened that terrible day. To read this fictional character, Katie, explore all-to-real "truther" points-of-view, I was so upset by how plausible it all seemed. I have never given credence to the "truther" movement before and I cannot say this book has convinced me to believe in any way, nor was that the author's intent, however I can see how easily it would be to get caught up in it all, just like Katie was. I would recommend this to any high school teacher who is looking to get their students more involved in questioning the world around them, even if it means questioning their own government.
Thoughts: Girard's novel had me riveted and horrified all at the same time. Like many reading this review, I remember 9/11 very clearly -- I can tell you where I was when each plane crashed, how I felt when each tower crumbled before the world's very eyes, and how my friends, family, and students were directly affected by what happened that terrible day. To read this fictional character, Katie, explore all-to-real "truther" points-of-view, I was so upset by how plausible it all seemed. I have never given credence to the "truther" movement before and I cannot say this book has convinced me to believe in any way, nor was that the author's intent, however I can see how easily it would be to get caught up in it all, just like Katie was. I would recommend this to any high school teacher who is looking to get their students more involved in questioning the world around them, even if it means questioning their own government.