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A review by jlennidorner
White Lies by Sara de Waard
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This is a real page-turner packed with strong emotions. I read my autographed copy, given to me by this debut author as thanks for an interview at the Operation Awesome blog. This is my honest and unbiased review. My heart breaks for Melissa, Missy, the main character, in the first ten pages.
About half a million Americans under age 18 have a parent who is an inmate, so there is a huge audience who can identify with characters in this book. I love a YA novel with such strong characters who have so much to overcome.
My absolute favorite scene is when Missy and Luke are in an "old-school media store." Nirvana, Madonna, and Marilyn Manson -- music that gives the book appeal to Gen X readers who like YA. (It also seems like a hint Missy's dad might snort cocaine, in addition to his other addictions.)
A line that really got me, really took the wind out of me from the emotional power:
A bunch of people who have to justify their jobs rally around you like they truly care when, in reality, you feel like you're just a checkmark on their to-do lists.
I felt deeply invested in the life of the main character, which kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen to Missy, and what had happened to her brother. Plus, I read this book right around the time of my own birthday. (Missy has the worst birthdays possible.) A lost-and-found hat to deal with unexpected menstrual troubles made me grateful that I couldn't relate to this particular scene. I do wonder if chairs in public schools in Canada have fabric (instead of being all plastic and metal)?
This is realistic fiction, happily-ever-after (happily-for-now), with light romantic scenes, several tear-jerker scenes, controversial moments because of the parents, fast-paced chapters, some plot twists, and meaningful moments. According to the author, Luke is Métis (people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, a recognized Aboriginal people in Canada). Miss Maalouf has a middle eastern accent, darker skin, and black hair. Renshu wasn't born here, so she didn't know how well he spoke English until he conversed with a customer, and speaks Mandarin with his daughter, Valkyrie. George, who has dark skin, calls Melissa Bells "Larry Bird," because she's tall and white. (She's also left-handed and has severe anxiety and other probable mental issues.)
I think the title references the white lies we tell ourselves, especially when the truth is difficult to handle. Missy seems like her "love language" is probably giving, because when she's meant to compliment herself, she instead compliments someone else, when she's to get something nice for herself, she instead gives something to a child. Finding out the reason for the bicycle on the cover is heart-wrenching.
It's a well-edited book. Mindfulness, forgiveness, and self-blame isn't usually justified. Nothing in the book "just happens," there's a cause for every effect. Her future is the result of her own choices and actions. Nothing was easy for Missy in this book. It holds up a mirror to society in the struggles endured by Missy and Luke. I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
About half a million Americans under age 18 have a parent who is an inmate, so there is a huge audience who can identify with characters in this book. I love a YA novel with such strong characters who have so much to overcome.
My absolute favorite scene is when Missy and Luke are in an "old-school media store." Nirvana, Madonna, and Marilyn Manson -- music that gives the book appeal to Gen X readers who like YA. (It also seems like a hint Missy's dad might snort cocaine, in addition to his other addictions.)
A line that really got me, really took the wind out of me from the emotional power:
A bunch of people who have to justify their jobs rally around you like they truly care when, in reality, you feel like you're just a checkmark on their to-do lists.
I felt deeply invested in the life of the main character, which kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen to Missy, and what had happened to her brother. Plus, I read this book right around the time of my own birthday. (Missy has the worst birthdays possible.) A lost-and-found hat to deal with unexpected menstrual troubles made me grateful that I couldn't relate to this particular scene. I do wonder if chairs in public schools in Canada have fabric (instead of being all plastic and metal)?
This is realistic fiction, happily-ever-after (happily-for-now), with light romantic scenes, several tear-jerker scenes, controversial moments because of the parents, fast-paced chapters, some plot twists, and meaningful moments. According to the author, Luke is Métis (people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, a recognized Aboriginal people in Canada). Miss Maalouf has a middle eastern accent, darker skin, and black hair. Renshu wasn't born here, so she didn't know how well he spoke English until he conversed with a customer, and speaks Mandarin with his daughter, Valkyrie. George, who has dark skin, calls Melissa Bells "Larry Bird," because she's tall and white. (She's also left-handed and has severe anxiety and other probable mental issues.)
I think the title references the white lies we tell ourselves, especially when the truth is difficult to handle. Missy seems like her "love language" is probably giving, because when she's meant to compliment herself, she instead compliments someone else, when she's to get something nice for herself, she instead gives something to a child. Finding out the reason for the bicycle on the cover is heart-wrenching.
It's a well-edited book. Mindfulness, forgiveness, and self-blame isn't usually justified. Nothing in the book "just happens," there's a cause for every effect. Her future is the result of her own choices and actions. Nothing was easy for Missy in this book. It holds up a mirror to society in the struggles endured by Missy and Luke. I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.