Daphne Benedis-Grab

Representation: Biracial (half Asian and half white), neurodivergent and Asian characters
Trigger warnings: Bullying, racism, ableism, pandemic mentioned
Score: Six points out of ten.
I own this book. This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.

This one looked promising when I bought it at a fair (and no library I know has this one yet) until I checked the ratings and reviews. Afterwards, I lowered my expectations and only a few days later, I finally picked it up after putting it off until I ran out of reading material from the two libraries I visit, and read it. When I finished it, the novel could've been a lot better. It starts with the first four characters I see, Maddie, Jack, Nora and Henry who go to the principal's office after an announcement. Someone stole Sasha's bag and the four were suspects; here's where the flaws surface: like many stories, I couldn't connect or relate to the characters (which is a shame, because if the author bothered to write the characters better, I would've enjoyed it more.)

I liked that one of the characters, Jack, is half Asian, therefore biracial and Vietnamese American (which resonated with me.) But here's the catch: does the author have a right to tell this narrative with this person in it? I Know You're Lying also deals with heavy themes, like the pandemic and racism, but the execution is heavy-handed, since I've read fictional works about racism before executed better than this one. None of the four characters stole Sasha's bag, instead, another person stole it, but his motive was unclear. Toward the end, there is a backstory about Sasha and why her mother had to move towns to avoid getting caught for her crimes, but the conclusion wasn't the most satisfying. Perhaps a younger reader would enjoy I Know You're Lying more than I did.… (altro)

According to the back cover, this is recommended for 4th-6th graders. I'm much older than that. I still found it a cute story.

Josie is shy and quiet at school. She and her dog, Clementine, volunteer at the pediatric ward of the local hospital where wearing costumes and the small audiences bring Josie out of her shell.

Oscar's struggling with family problems and gets in trouble for showing his temper at school. His principal sends him to the hospital to do a form of community service, where he is assigned to work with Josie.

Gabby has epilepsy and due to a bad experience at her former school, is trying to keep it a secret. Unfortunately, when she goes in to the hospital, Josie and Oscar witness a seizure.

Over the course of the novel, we get to see three people become unlikely friends. Josie is pushed to confront her shyness. Oscar becomes less selfish--and eventually gains a dog.… (altro)