Synopses & Reviews
Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, is celebrated for making emotions accessible to children through her gentle writing style. She brings this gift, as well as her talent for writing about families, to the chapter book The Truth of Me.
The Truth of Me tells the story of Robbie, who loves spending time with his grandmother Maddy. Robbie loves the stories Maddy tells, and also how wild animals trust her enough to come right up to her.
But Robbie has always felt as if something is missing in his life--his parents dont always act like they love him. Maddy helps him understand that an experience his mother had long ago is at the heart of the problem in his family. With this knowledge, Robbie finds the courage to try to make things right.
This poignant story celebrates how our unique “small truths” make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.
Review
Praise for Kindred Souls: “MacLachlan handles a familiar theme with grace, providing a lens into an uncanny intergenerational bond, as well as the kindness and generosity of love.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
Praise for Kindred Souls: “These are time-sculpted themes-the bond between a child and a grandparent, a childs first experience of death, the comfort of continuity and connection to the natural worldand MacLachlan gives them her particular stamp of plain speaking and poetry.” The Horn Book
Review
Praise for Kindred Souls: “The quiet rhythms of the story and the gentle banter of the dialogue make this an ideal group read aloud, but plenty of young readers will simply find it the perfect book to curl up with on their own.” Bulletin of the Center for Children & #8217;s Books
Review
“Brief but emotionally intense...MacLachlan demonstrates her mastery of elegantly unfolding a tale and gently plucking at readers heartstrings without taking a maudlin tone.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
“An elegant exploration of love and familial relationships...This story is well paced and rhythmic in its dialogue, lending itself well to a group read-aloud.” School Library Journal
Review
“A spare, poetically composed tale written in short chapters perfect for beginning read-it-alonereaders, this should resonate with young and old alikeand makes for a great intergenerational story to share.” ALA Booklist
Synopsis
Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, weaves a poignant story that celebrates how our unique small truths make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.
When Robbie spends the summer at his grandmother Maddy's house, he revels in his grandmother's easy, relaxed ways. Robbie has always felt as if something is missing in his life--his parents don't always act like they love him. Maddy helps him understand that an experience his mother had long ago is at the heart of the problem in his family. With this knowledge, Robbie finds the courage to try to make things right.
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book
ALA Booklist Notable Children's Books Nominee
New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Synopsis
When Robbie and his dog, Ellie, spend the summer at his grandmother Maddy's house, Robbie revels in his grandmother's easy, relaxed ways, such as eating doughnuts once for dinner. Robbie understands there's something missing in his everyday life with his parents, but he doesn't know what it is.
Maddy makes Robbie's parents nervous, which is one of the reasons Robbie likes Maddy. He likes her stories and the way wild animals come right up to her, without any fear. Maddy helps Robbie find "the truth of me." The truth has to do with something that happened to his mother a long time ago. And it helps Robbie realize what he's really missing and gives him the confidence to make things right.
This poignant story from beloved author Patricia MacLachlan celebrates how our unique "small truths" make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.
About the Author
Patricia MacLachlan is the celebrated author of many beloved books for young readers, including
Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. Her picture books include
Who Loves Me?,
Three Names,
What You Know First, and
Before You Came. She lives with her husband and two border terriers in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.
Emily MacLachlan Charest lives with her husband, her children, Sofia and Nicholas, two dogs, and one oversized cat, Romeo, who thinks he's a dog. She works with young children. She is the coauthor of Bittle, Painting the Wind, Once I Ate a Pie, and other books. She lives in Massachusetts.
Barry Moser is the prizewinning illustrator and designer of more than three hundred books for children and adults. He is widely celebrated for his dramatic wood engravings for the only twentieth-century edition of the entire King James Bible illustrated by a single artist. He lives in western Massachusetts.