Where the Truth Lies

Gr 8—11—Although she suffers from nightmares about fire or water that make her feel as if she is going to die, Emily Meckler, 17, knows she's lucky. Unlike her friends' parents, Emily's are happy, still married, and obviously love their daughter. They attend therapy sessions with her, and Dr. Miller continues to suggest that something in Emily's childhood may be the cause of her night terrors. Emily's father is the headmaster at Stonybrook Academy in Connecticut, and the family has lives on its grounds, which Emily loves. What more could she ask for? Then supersmart bad boy Del Sugar, an adoptee who had lived in numerous foster homes, arrives, and he brings rebellion and truth into Emily's life, changing her forever. Emily's story is compelling. Over the course of the novel she has her first romance, with Del, and she becomes pregnant. And she discovers that her parents have hidden the truth of her past from her. The plot builds slowly and, for the most part, realistically. The main characters are well developed, and Emily's thought processes as she mourns the loss of her child are particularly insightful and touching. Secondary characters add depth to the story. This book will be popular with fans of Sarah Dessen and Lurlene McDaniel.—Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL