
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the weight of a white lie or feels the pressure of being a 'good kid' while navigating natural impulses to explore and keep secrets. It is perfect for children who feel misunderstood by adults or who are facing a significant life transition, such as the arrival of a new sibling. Harriet Wermer is sent to spend the summer with her grandmother on Marblehead Island while her mother deals with a difficult pregnancy. Amidst the salt air and the mystery of a hidden key, Harriet grapples with her habit of 'stretching the truth' and the complicated feelings of being away from home. The story beautifully balances the whimsy of a summer adventure with the grounded, sometimes painful reality of learning that honesty is about more than just not lying: it is about integrity and owning your story. It is a gentle, realistic look at growing up for ages 8 to 12.
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Sign in to write a reviewHarriet feels lonely and worried about her mother's health and the new baby.
The book deals with a high-risk pregnancy and the resulting parental absence in a realistic, secular manner. There is a strong focus on the internal shame associated with lying. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in character growth rather than a magical fix.
An imaginative 9-year-old who often feels like the 'difficult' child in the family and needs to see a protagonist who makes mistakes but is still deeply loved and capable of change.
Read cold. The book is very accessible, though parents may want to be ready to discuss why Harriet feels the need to lie to protect herself. A parent might choose this after catching their child in a series of 'pointless' lies or seeing their child struggle with jealousy over a new baby or a change in family dynamics.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the mystery of the key and the island setting. Older readers (11-12) will resonate more deeply with Harriet's internal struggle with her identity and the 'liar' label.
Unlike many books where lying is a plot device for hijinks, Arnold treats Harriet's dishonesty as a psychological coping mechanism, offering a sophisticated and empathetic look at a common childhood behavior.
Harriet Wermer is sent to her grandmother's bed and breakfast on Marblehead Island for the summer because her mother is on bed rest with a high-risk pregnancy. Harriet, who has a penchant for lying (or 'stretching the truth'), discovers a mysterious key and spends her summer trying to find what it unlocks while navigating her relationship with her eccentric Nanu and a new friend named James.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.