Sunday, February 28, 2010

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

I had a feeling I would love this National Book Award winner just by my impression of the cover. Gotta love the 1940's! This young adult fiction novel reads like a sexy soap opera--lots of drama, intrigue, mysterious characters, and unsolved disappearances.

Evie has always survived with her single mother, but, just before World War II, her glamorous mother marries Joe, and the family moves in with Joe's mother. Now the war is over and Joe is back, and the family of three escapes to Florida in the off-season. Evie is at the verge of being a young woman, even though her mother tries to keep her in kids' clothing and obedient. But Mrs. Grayson helps Evie escape her shell and Peter, a 23-year-old ex-private, draws Evie out, too. She falls in love with the older man, even though she isn't supposed to spend time with him. Her mother chaperones, so it's okay, right? But the mystery builds. Joe is angry. Mr. Grayson is kicked out of the hotel. Evie overhears disturbing conversations. And then Peter doesn't come back from a boat ride with Evie's parents. There's an inquest and Evie testifies--hence the title. Whoa. I'd love to see this book made into a movie!

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