What I Saw and How I Lied

What I Saw and How I Lied

Blundell, Judy. What I Saw and How I Lied. Scholastic Press: 2008. ISBN: 9780439903462.

Plot Summary:
It is 1947, WWII is over and things are getting back to normal. Fifteen-year-old Evie lives in Queens, New York with her mother, step-father and step-grandmother. Her mother married Joe right before the war and they moved in with his mother, Grandma Gladys for the duration. Evie adores Joe, who in turn adores her movie star beautiful mother, Beverly. Out of the blue, Joe takes the family on a Florida vacation. The family stays in an almost deserted resort. It is the off-season and guests are sparse. Enter Peter, a dashing ex-G.I. from Joe's war days. Joe is not happy to see him, but Evie is smitten immediately. She enjoys outings with Peter and her mother. A fellow hotel guest takes her shopping and buys her glamorous adult clothing. Life in Florida is a dream for Evie, but the adults begin weaving webs that don't have a happy ending.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a well written mystery without being a typical whodunit. The author does a great job evoking the 1940's glamor and style. Women dress for dinner in evening gowns and smoke disinterestedly while having drinks at the bar. The negative aspects are starkly presented as well. Prejudice towards Jews to the point of kicking a couple out of the hotel after a 2 month stay because they don't serve Jews. The treatment of African Americans is also briefly alluded to. Evie is bright-eyed and plain compared to her beautiful mother. Forming a crush, she interprets Peter's attention as sexual interest, while Peter's interest is toward her mother, Beverly. The adults in this novel are not to be trusted. The plot twists and turns unexpectedly, yet it is believable. Evie is made of tougher stuff than even she is aware of.

Reader's Annotation:
Coming to terms with the adults in your life can be disappointing. You must always trust yourself.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Unfortunately, every teen does not have a responsible, trustworthy adult in his/her life. Sometimes even when we think there is a trustworthy adult, they can let us down.

Genre:
Mystery/Historical/Suspense

Why Book Included:
The title and the book cover caught my eye and I love mysteries.