Liar & Spy

Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me was the 2010 Newbery Medal Winner – it was so intriguing. Her most recent novel, Liar & Spy, has moments of mystery and revelation as well. Readers will enjoy her short chapters and interesting characters. Georges (pronounced George) has a big shift in his life during seventh grade when his family is forced to sell their house when his father loses his job. They move into an apartment where Georges meets an unusual boy named Safer and his sister named Candy. Safer has been spying on a mysterious tenant in the apartment who he has identified as Mr. X – a man who wears black all the time and is always leaving his apartment with a suitcase. Georges is at first happy to have a new friend, because his former best friend ignores him and hangs out with kids in the popular crowd at school who have been bullying Georges. Safer’s behavior becomes more erratic which starts to add stress to Georges’ life. Even worse, his mother is never home and he misses her a lot. What is the reason for Safer’s obsession with Mr. X? Read Liar & Spy to find out how everyone has fears and that it takes courage to fight back. Another great book by Stead is First Light. Click on the book trailer below from 60 second recap.