White Lies

by Sara de Waard

Overview

Missy’s sweet sixteenth is almost here, but her last three birthdays haven’t exactly been happy occasions. Her little brother died when she turned thirteen and now birthdays are just painful reminders of their loss. If only she had walked him to school that morning, like she was supposed to...

Adding fuel to the fire, Missy’s mom was arrested on her fifteenth birthday and her father’s mood swings are unbearable. Then Missy meets Luke — a new classmate she cannot stop thinking about. Luke understands what she’s going through more than anybody, but will Missy be able to let him in?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781770866492
Publisher:	Cormorant Books
Publication date:	05/17/2022
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Sara de Waard is an author and screenwriter of Métis descent and is currently in the process of exploring her family’s heritage. She is an elementary school teacher and freelance social media manager with a love for film and a soft spot for rap and hip-hop music thanks to her two teenagers. Her writing is often inspired by her compassion for the trials and tribulations of today’s youth. After completing her BA in Radio and Television from Ryerson University and a stint in London, ON, de Waard returned to her hometown of Port Colborne, ON where she currently lives with her kids.

Editorial Reviews

White Lies is a well-balanced text that blends together humour and romance with serious topics that are relatable to readers in the target audience. Filled with unique and interesting characters, a fast-moving plot, and relevant themes, the text is likely to elicit the full range of emotions in readers. This book is likely to become a well-loved addition to any middle or high school classroom or library. Highly recommended.

CM Reviews

2022-03-29
With a traumatic past and a difficult home life, a teen girl searches for a place to belong.

Bad things always happen around Missy’s birthday—a few years ago her younger brother died, and last year her mother was arrested and sent to prison—so now she dreads her approaching 16th birthday. Her neglectful father abuses alcohol and drugs; she refers to him as Trick when he’s sober and Treat when he’s not. Nearly every day Missy escapes into a nearby vintage toy store where she assists the owner, Renshu Lin. In addition to Ren, who provides her a safe space, Missy has several supportive adults in her life—her psychiatrist, Dr. Tandalay; Priscilla, a social services counselor; and Miss Maalouf, a janitor at school. Missy also connects with Luke, a fellow student whose mom is also in prison, and a touch of romance blooms in between their rapid banter. As Missy faces her past, a whirlwind climax leads to an ultimately hopeful ending. Despite her parents’ cruelty, Missy shines through her kind deeds and care for others (even if they’re sometimes misguided). Her snarky voice comes across as authentic and redeems the uneven plot. Missy is White; Luke’s father is cued as Native, and his mother is French Canadian. There is some racial diversity among secondary characters.

A heartfelt story. (Fiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews