LoveReading4Kids Says
Award-winning Rebecca Stead tells a wonderfully touching story with great sensitivity within an exciting and dramatic adventure. Georges (his unusual name is part of his problem) has just moved to a new apartment block and he immediately gets caught up in a game with Safer, a boy who lives on another floor.
Safer’s spying game seems fun and his family, sister Candy and brother Pigeon provide an interesting and supportive alternative home for Georges while things in his own family are out of kilter. But then Georges begins to have his doubts… Gradually everything he has been protecting himself from spins out of control and the reader discovers the sad truth he has been hiding himself from. A very special story that is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Julia Eccleshare M.B.EJulia Eccleshare has a lifetime of working within children’s books as a critic, an editor, an author and a commentator.
More reviews by Julia Eccleshare M.B.E About Liar and Spy
Georges (the s is silent) has a lot going on. He's having trouble with some boys at school, his dad lost his job and so his mum has started working all the time - and they had to sell their house and move into an apartment. But moving into the apartment block does bring one good thing - Safer, an unusual boy who lives on the top floor.
Read the full description
Find This Book In
| Suitable For: |
|
| Other Genres: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
Rebecca Stead Press Reviews
Safiyah Afghan, age 15 Emotional, funny and complex 'Liar and Spy' is a beautiful book, perfect for all age groups and for readers looking for a deep, exploratory read. Click here to read the full review.
Dylan Sweet I like this book because it has humour, exciting moments – for example when Georges meets Mr X – and scary moments...I would rate it five stars. It is a great book and you should read it! Click here to read the full review.
Joshua Henriksen, age 10 I really enjoyed this book and think other kids aged 10 and up will enjoy this also. Click here to read the full review.
William Sheehan, age 8 I love all of the characters in this book and I would recommend it to anyone from 10-100!! Rebecca Stead is a really good writer and I look forward to another one of her books. Click here to read the full review.
Benjy Randall, age 9 Rebecca Stead is a brilliant author with a fun and creative style of writing. I really loved this book and didn’t want it to end. My favourite part was when they spied on Mr X. Spy thriller for 9+. Click here to read the full review.
Lucy Minton, age 10 It kept me on the edge of my seat and always wanting more. Click here to read the full review.
Jenny Duffy, age 20 With references to a Seurat painting, and messages written in Scrabble tiles, I couldn't help but love this book! Click here to read the full review.
Sam Harper, age 9 I have never read a book like 'Liar and Spy' before, it was strange and exciting at the same time. A fantastic, brilliantly written book. A must-read! Click here to read the full review.
_________________________________________
Media reviews of Liar and Spy
A joy to read. -- Nicholas Tucker Independent, Best Books of the Year 2012
Rebecca Stead makes writing this well look easy. -- Philip Ardagh, Guardian
A skilful tale ... Despite its light touch, it contains important themes about the truths we tell ourselves. -- Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times
The boys learn from their friendship with each other, and Stead's readers will grow from knowing them, too. -- Daniel Hahn, Independent on Sunday, Best Books of the Year
Exactly what I would have wanted to read in my early teens. It feels sophisticated and clever and knowing without being too grown-up and dark. -- Viv Groskop Observer
About Rebecca Stead
Rebecca Stead grew up in New York City where she lives today with her husband and two sons. Rebecca used to be a lawyer and wrote books for adults before turning to younger fiction. Her second book for children, When You Reach Me, won the Newbery Medal 2010, and her follow-up, Liar and Spy, was the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. She now combines her writing with work as a literary agent.
On her website she credits her son with inspiring her to write a children's novel, but not in the way one would expect. For years she had collected story ideas and short stories on a laptop, which the child pushed off a table, destroying it and losing all her 'serious' writing. As a way to lighten her mood she began again with something light-hearted. The creation of First Light followed.
More About Rebecca Stead
