The Thing About the Truth

May 21, 2012
Kelsey and Isaac are facing possible
expulsion for an offense that is slowly revealed over the course of Barnholdt’s sixth YA novel, which is told in flashbacks narrated alternately by the two teenagers. Both Kelsey and Isaac started the school year as new students at Concordia Public, having been kicked out of their respective prep schools. Kelsey’s wrongdoing comes out slowly, but readers know early on that Isaac, son of a state senator, has always been a troublemaker, at least until he falls for Kelsey. Kelsey is initially disdainful of Isaac, leading to much sharp banter between them, a Barnholdt (Sometimes It Happens) trademark. Once they get together, the countdown begins to the disaster that has brought them to the superintendent’s office. Kelsey’s self-deprecating honesty is endearing, and Isaac, while not always totally believable, is a satisfying fantasy of a bad boy with a heart of gold. Secondary characters like the teens’ parents and Kelsey’s best friend are comparatively one-note, but that doesn’t detract much from this well-paced and enjoyable confection. Ages 14–up. Agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group.

September 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-Kelsey and Isaac are new to Concordia Public. She is an honor-roll student who was expelled from Concordia Prep, with the why not revealed until well into the novel. The lie she tells Isaac about the reason is central to her later problems at school. Isaac is a classic bad boy rich kid, whose father is a state senator. He has his own problems with honesty. The story is told from alternating perspectives and chronologies. These narrative and plot devices make it a bit different from the run-of-the-mill high-school drama/romance. The language is sometimes crude, but the voices ring true partly because of that. Readers won't find any saints in this book. The pacing, plot, and voices make it a good choice for light reading.-Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

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