Lie (207 Pages)

Caroline Bock is a new author to me. I was sent this book as a gift from the author. I read it, and I like it for a number of reasons. Lie is a short book written from 10 different points of view. All of the characters whose point of view is offered are part of each other's life. A group of Long Island high school students have decided to go beaner hopping. This expression is their own and it means they are looking for some Mexicans to taunt. One of the boys is Jimmy, and Skyler is in love with him. Jimmy is a natural leader, but not always leading in a good sense. Skyler is head over heels in love with him. Skyler's mother had recently died, and Jimmy is there to offer her support. As an adult reader, I must say he seemed like a good kid. He absently would not go beyond kissing and some petting. He acknowledged that Skyler was too emotionally broken, and he refused to take advantage of her.One night, all the kids go out beaner hopping. This time, Jimmy says only he and Sean (Skyler's next door neighbor) are going to go. Skyler secretly follows them and observes taunting get out of hand. It turns out that Jimmy is prejudiced against Mexicans. Now the two boys they "taunt" are not Mexicans. They are brothers, and one of them was born in the U.S.A. The other was sent by his mother from El Salvador to live with her son and her brother. There is so much to talk/write about in this book. Stereotyping, the definition of a lie, being true to yourself, standing up for what is right, when and where to go for help when a group is pressuring you to do something that isn't right....and you know if you don't go along- you'll be black balled. This is a lot for such a small book, but it is one that I believe will resonate with both boys and girls.