Parents' Guide to

Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel

By Monica Wyatt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Depicts high school with devastating accuracy.

Book Avi Coming of Age 1991
Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

amomtoo
amomtoo Adult
February 4, 2010
age 12+

Wow!

Younger kids will probably not get the meaning of this book. How even stretching or not telling the whole truth can have devestating consequences. It's also a book about accepting responsibility for your own actions. I really enjoyed this book. I think it is a must read for middle school and up students. A good reminder for adults, too!

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
ronit S.
ronit S. Adult
April 25, 2018
age 9+

great

This story tells about a boy who lied and how it affected him. Great!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Philip Malloy, a freshman, causes a disturbance at school by humming the National Anthem to annoy his teacher -- and the minor incident turns into a national scandal when the teacher is accused of being unpatriotic. The tale is told through a series of journal entries, letters, and memos.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (17 ):

Readers who pick up this book will be struck first by the unusual format; Avi calls this book "a documentary novel." It consists of a collection of memos, dialogues, diary entries, newspaper articles, letters, and transcripts of speeches and radio shows. Avi lets readers make their own judgments about what happens, but only the reader knows the whole story. Philip's fellow students easily figure out what really happens, and taunt him, punishing him more than the school authorities can.

Yet branding Philip as the only dishonest character won't work. Philip's parents go along with his lies to support him and look patriotic, instead of finding out what their son really needs. Because so few want to find the truth, Miss Narwin loses her career and Philip loses his friends and his dream. He's finally forced to tell the truth in the devastating last line of the book.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the effects of twisting the truth.

  • Many characters distort and disregard the truth to protect their own
    interests.

  • Have you seen this happen in your life?

  • What happened?

Book Details

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