Book: The Honest-To-Goodness Truth
Author: Patricia McKissack
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Publication date: 2000
Supports Diverse Protagonist
Picture Book
Lexile Score: 950L
Target Audience: Preschool - 3rd Grade
Age Range: 4-8 years old
Brief Summary
Libby is a little girl who lied to her mother. Her mother punished her and told her "From now on, only the truth." So that's what Libby did. She told the truth to her best friend, to her teacher about another student and even told her neighbor the truth. But these truths were hurtful. All of these people that Libby cared about were now upset with her and didn't want to talk to her or be friends with her anymore. Libby asked her mom why all of her friends were mad at her if all she did was tell the truth and her mom said "Sometimes the truth is told a the wrong time or in the wrong way, or for the wrong reasons. And that can be hurtful. But the honest-to-goodness truth is never wrong." After hearing this from her mother, Libby went to all those who she had upset and talk to them. She apologized and they forgave her and everything was right in the world.
Evaluation: 30/32
Illustration - 4
Storyline - 4
Appropriateness - 4
Problems/Resolutions - 4
Stereotyping - 3
Relatability - 4
Readability/Cohesiveness - 3
Critical Thinking - 4
I would definitely use this book in my classroom if the students were maybe struggling with friendships or the idea of lying or even telling the truth. Some students may feel like they are being picked on or called out and this book can see the perspective of those who are saying something and those who are feeling like they are picked on. I really enjoy this book and the problem/resolution factor of it.
Literary Elements
1. Dialect - This book has a clear use of dialect in it. Because of the language that the characters use, the reader can tell that the setting must be somewhere in the south. Here is an example: "I was gon' do it soon as I got back from jumping rope with Ruthie Mae." This book would be helpful if I were to do a lesson on dialect. The students could use this book and others to see how characters use different language depending on their location. It might all be English but it is a different kind of English. This would be helpful to students when they are writing because they can show diversity in their writing styles.
2. Exaggeration - The back cover of the book has a question on it that is an exaggeration and it makes the reader think about what could possibly be in the story. The question is "If telling the truth is the right thing to do, why is the whole world mad at Libby?"
3. Moral - There is a moral of the story and that is "Always tell the truth but make sure it is at the right time and in the right way." Readers can take this away from the book and learn to use this moral in their own lives.
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