Told from Edie’s point of view (but not in the first person), Edie Tells A Lie feels very intimate because the reader is privy to her raw thought processes and dreams.
Like the story itself, the character of Edie is both vulnerable and strong. Ten-year old Edie and her bestie, Bowie, have grown up living next door to each other.
Each
knows the other so well, that even when life throws up challenges their bond
cannot be broken. That’s how it has always been.
Until now.
Because
Bowie has left town. She’s moved far, far away, and is not responding to any of
Edie’s messages. She is obviously having the best time without Edie.
Edie is shy and vulnerable and funny and chaotic. She’s also not used to making new friends, and so is quite chuffed when Aleki – with her large, colourful Samoan family – takes an interest in her.
Edie isn’t quite sure why, but in her eagerness to belong and be important, she tells a small lie that rather quickly grows into a bigger one, and spreads throughout the school.
We all make
mistakes – it’s part of learning how to be alive. So Edie is hopeful that her
new friends will forgive the story she has made up.
But no.
The lie
backfires, and suddenly, life becomes even harder than it was before.
Can Edie find her way through?
This
thought-provoking book for middle grade readers explores friendship, finding
your place and doing what’s right. It looks at the idea of being a good friend
and those things that help us to belong.
There is
something for all children to relate to in Edie and her engaging, powerful
story.
Highly recommended.
Title: Edie Tells A LieAuthor: Ingrid Laguna
Publisher: Text, $16.99
Publication Date: 1 July 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760764920
For Ages: 8 - 12
Type: Middle Grade
