Trust Me, I'm Lying

Gr 8 Up—Julep Dupree is a liar. Trained by her father in the family grifting business, she is adept at trading lies for money to pay the bills. Good thing, too, because the tuition for St. Agatha's High School is high. Julep isn't alarmed when she returns home one evening to find that her father missing, but the tousled state of the apartment leaves her with a hollow feeling and sets her on a chase to find him and the "mark" that perpetrated the ransacking. Best friend Sam is worried for her, but the teen pushes off his concern, even as she begins to get unusual and convenient attention from the class heartthrob, Tyler Richland. Together, the three high school students work to discover answers to all of Julep's questions, a mission that will prove deadly for one of them. Summer has penned a debut novel chronicling the life of a teenage grifter that is outrageous and believable. In Julep, the author explores a young female character who must call into question the actions of all those with whom she has contact, drawing upon inner strength to fortify her, even in the face of mortal danger. Summer's characters are well developed and leave readers looking forward to the next installment in this series.—Colleen S. Banick, Westport Public Schools, CT