About This Book
Set in 1947, "What I Saw and How I Lied" follows fifteen-year-old Evie Spooner as her family's seemingly normal post-WWII life unravels during a vacation to Palm Beach, Florida. When a mysterious, handsome ex-GI named Peter Coleridge, who served with Evie's stepfather Joe, enters their lives, Evie finds herself drawn to him. Peter soon reveals a dark secret: he and Joe stole property during the war, and Joe has been withholding Peter's share. As secrets, betrayals, and a tragic death unfold, Evie is forced to confront the truth about her family and make a life-altering decision to protect them, even if it means lying. This National Book Award winner is a compelling historical mystery and coming-of-age story, ideal for mature middle school and high school readers.
In 1947, with her jovial stepfather Joe back from the war and family life returning to normal, teenage Evie, smitten by the handsome young ex-GI who seems to have a secret hold on Joe, finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies whose devastating outcome change her life and that of her family forever.
Character Death
peril_danger
mental_health_themes
prejudice
Violence
Discussion Prompts
1
Evie makes a difficult choice at the end of the book. Do you think she made the right decision? Why or why not?
2
How did the historical setting of post-World War II influence the characters' actions and the story's events?
3
The book explores different kinds of loyalty: to family, to truth, to a romantic interest. How did Evie navigate these conflicting loyalties?
4
What role did secrets play in the story? How did they affect the characters and their relationships?
5
The Graysons faced prejudice because they were Jewish. How did this incident highlight the broader themes of justice and fairness in the book?
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