Lies I Tell Myself - by Beth Vrabel (Paperback)

About the Book

Eleven-year-old Raymond devises a plan to spend his summer proving to everyone how brave and confident he is, but will he really be able to change, or is it another lie he tells himself?

Book Synopsis

In this "heartfelt, emotionally insightful" (Kirkus Reviews), and funny companion to the acclaimed To Tell You the Truth, Raymond has a life-changing summer when he's sent to Maine to stay with the grandparents he's never met.

Raymond has always preferred to keep life simple and leave adventuring to other people. But then he's sent across the country, against his will, to spend the summer before fifth grade with grandparents who think he's "troubled" and needs to have playdates set up for him. Determined to show everyone how brave, confident, and untroubled he can be, Raymond hatches a three-step plan:

1) Learn to ride a bike. His mom never got around to teaching him before she left.
2) Learn how to swim.
3) Make friends. On his own.

But can Raymond really change, or is this whole plan just a bunch of lies he's telling himself? With the help of his great-grandfather's old journal, a feral chicken, and a possibly imaginary new friend, Raymond might just overcome his fears and figure out who he really wants to be.

Review Quotes

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

"It's an equally rewarding and adventurous story, remarkable in the way it allows characters to stretch and grow. . . . A humorous and honest exploration of deep family ties, unexpected friendships, and the gift of growing self-knowledge."-- "Booklist"

"The author takes care that no one, child or adult, comes across as all good or all bad. Readers don't need to be familiar with the previous book to enjoy this story of a boy learning who he is. Recommended."-- "School Library Journal"

"This heartfelt, emotionally insightful companion to To Tell You the Truth (2021) is . . . proof positive that an open heart can overcome hurt."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Beth Vrabel is the award-winning author of A Blind Guide to Stinkville, A Blind Guide to Normal, and the Pack of Dorks series. She can't clap to the beat or be trusted around Nutella, but indulges in both often, much to the dismay of her family. She lives in the Dallas, Texas area.