Liar & Spy

I read Stead's When You Reach Me when it came out, just before it won the Newbery Medal. I liked it, but I didn't love it. So I figured going in to this one that I would probably like it but not love it. I was wrong. I loved it. I'm not sure if it was the characters, Georges and Safer their families or if it was the plot revolving around spying on one's neighbors and lying to one's family/friends, but I strongly suspect that I just loved the book as a whole. With a beautiful combination of character development and plot movement I found myself really interested in reading about Georges and his struggles with moving, bullies, and a new friend he doesn't 'get.' Stead also throws in a plot twist that I really did not see coming that really changed the way I saw the book and the story as a whole. It left me stunned and thoughtful. In my mind I went back and thought about the way Georges had been acting and how things turned out to be very different than I thought. It made me think about the way humans jump to conclusions so easily and so very often turn out to be wrong. I found this a beautifully written and surprisingly complex story despite what originally seemed like a fairly straight-forward plot. I really liked the writing. For me a well-written book is a book where the writing flows so smoothly that I pay little attention to it because I am so engrossed in the story. Liar & Spy is one of those books.

I love the balance in this story, the way the story unfolds and you learn more of what is going on in Georges's life. I liked seeing him adjust to his new apartment and settle in with his friends. This was fun.

This book is marketed for an age range from middle school students (the two key characters are that age) to young adults. However, I feel that this is a book for all ages. It covers quite well some themes that are important to all. One is bullying. The narrator, Georges (with an s), is bullied in his seventh grade class. Two bullies mock him and physically intimidate him. Of course, this kind of thing is traumatic at the moment, although Georges develops strategies to cope. And it seems to me that childhood bullying readily leads to serious problems later in life. People who intimidate others because of their ethnicity or religion are bullies. Employers often bully their employees. Another theme is parenting. Both of the central characters have good parents. These parents are actively involved in their children's lives. They make an extra effort to show their concern. In addition to these themes, there's a murder mystery that may not be what it seems. This mystery is tied to yet another important theme: the nature of friendship and how people develop strategies to make friends. There are elements that are rather light and silly. I enjoyed this part of the book, but some may not. Rebecca Stead's novel is flawlessly written. I would recommend it to anyone from a third grader with strong reading skills to a retired person.

This book has it all..mystery,humor,endearing characters, and an enchanting story that weaves in a creative and valuable message for young people. It's a message that says "Be true to yourself, and stand tall" even in the face of adversity. Besides being a great read, there's alot to take away from this book that could last a lifetime! I loved it!

This book is charming, as an adult it made me think of my 12 year old grandson reading it. The book encompasses wonderful moral values. Rebecca Stead's writing endears the reader to her protagonist. There were moments I stopped to laugh out loud. I want my grandchildren to read it as well as the adults that share their favorite books with me. I had to read more of her books; i read "When You Reach Me", also loved it. Now reading "First Light" not moving as quickly as I did with the others.

"When You Reach Me" is one of my all time favorite books, so, as good a book as it is, I couldn't give "Liar and Spy" also by Rebecca Stead five stars. When I first read "When You Reach Me," it felt like Stead had reviewed my own childhood and come up with a story just for me. The connection the book had to "A Wrinkle in Time" felt personal. I did not have the same connection to "Liar and Spy" but that doesn't mean that it's not a beautifully crafted work of fiction. It is a book about connecting the dots, the literal dots of a painting, the dots that a group of bullied children use to pull themselves together, the dots that protect us from the lies we tell ourselves and the lies we tell others. The central mystery was predictable, but that was okay, because it's always "how" a story is told that makes it special. And this book is special. Another winner for Rebecca Stead.

This novel follows Georges, a boy who's moved into a building in Brooklyn, which he's not thrilled about. In his building a neighbor named Safer recruits him to be a spy, so that the two of them can monitor the activities of another neighbor, Mr. X, who may be up to no good. Georges is made uncomfortable by Safer's demands and at school he has to deal with bullies. I enjoyed reading about Georges and his personal growth as he learns to stand up for himself. Stead has a wonderful way of bringing characters and their inner workings to life. This is a delightful middle grade novel.

三つの糸が絡み合ったお語です。 舞台はブルックリン。主人公のGeorges（普通にジョージと発音される）は中学1年生。父親の失業とそれに伴う引っ越し、母親の入院が重なります。この家族の物語が本作品の第一の糸。 第二の糸は主人公の学校生活。学校ではクラスの苛めっ子にからかわれる毎日。特に名前を。苛めっ子や他の子どもは主人公の名前を「JorJess」と呼んだり「Gorgeous」と呼んだりしてからかいます。しかし、小説の終盤、主人公はクラスの仲間と一緒にある企みを実行し、苛めっ子達を「あっ」と言わせます。爽やかに。そして（文字通り）苦くも。 そして第三の糸。引っ越し先のアパートで主人公は同年代のSaferと友達になります。Saferは主人公に言います。「うちのアパートにはMr. Xという黒づくめの衣装を着た、得体の知れない人物がいる。一言も口をきかない。大きなトランクをもって外出することが多い。何か犯罪に加担しているんじゃないか。一緒に調べよう。」直接的には主人公とSaferとのからみが、タイトルでもある『Liar & Spy』と密接にからみます。嘘はあります。確かに。スパイ。確かにそのような話も。この第三の糸に関する話は終盤、「あれっ」という感じで展開します。 ディテールで面白い点がいくつか。 まずは主人公の名前。これはフランスの印象派の画家、Georges Seurat（ジョルジュ・スーラ）によります。（作品では明記されていませんが）彼の描いた「グランド・ジャット島の日曜日の午後」が印刷された複製品が主人公が住む自宅アパートの居間に飾られています。 また、主人公と同じクラスにいるBobが主人公にメモを渡してこの単語を発音してみろ、というシーンがあります（Big Picutreの章）。Bobが渡した紙に書いてあったのは「Ghoti」という単語。主人公はこれを「Go-tee」と発音しますが、Bobは違うと言います。（答えについては本書をお読みください。）この話、やはり作品には明示されていませんが、かつてジョージ・バーナード・ショーが英語の発音について皮肉った話が元ネタでしょう。因みに、ショーも名前は「ジョージ」ですね。 さらに、主人公達が理科の授業で経験する味覚の5要素の一つとして「Umami」が紹介されます。本作品を読んで、そういえばUmamiは英語のボキャブラリーに立派に取り入れられているんだな、と再認識した次第。 読後感は爽やか。お勧めです。

I bought this for my 8 year old, but read it first to make sure it didn't have any too grown themes. I couldn't put it down. What a great book, beautifully written. The teacher Ms Warner was my favourite character. I hope my children have a grown up like her at their school.

This book is amazing

Honestly, when I read the first chapter if the book I was a bit unsure of how the book actually is. But, being a booklovet, I had to continue reading. It probably is the best decision I have ever made. Not only is the book intersting to read, it is packed with emotion and reality. This book is about a boy named Georges, who is different. Honestly, I think Rebecca Stead has outdone herself. It is an awesome book that I recommend for everyone

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