Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

It seems simple. Tell the truth. But what is the truth? NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH by Avi is a book that will have you questioning what is true at every turn.

Philip Malloy is a 9th-grader who learns about truth the hard way. An avid track runner, he is hoping to try out for the high school track team. He knows he has the support of his parents and is even hoping they will chip in to help him purchase some new shoes to start the season.

Unfortunately, Philip is about to receive some bad news - his English grade. It doesn't surprise him when the coach calls him into his office for a little talk. Word of his excellent performance on the middle school team must have made its way to the high school coach. What he isn't expecting is the lecture he gets about his English grade. He has a D in Miss Narwin's class, and according to the school handbook, that makes him ineligible. He can't even try out for the team.

What happens next involves Philip's misguided attempt to fix the problem. The solution is simple. Just find a way to get out of Miss Narwin's class, hopefully get a better grade with a different teacher, all before his parents and even his friends find out. Instead, Philip ends up creating a situation that involves the teacher, the administration, his parents, a neighbor, the local newspaper, and eventually people from across the country.

Written in script form, with bits and pieces from Philip's diary, as well as letters and memos written by staff members at the high school, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH explores what happens if one person manipulates the truth. The far-reaching consequences will amaze readers and remind them that our actions impact the lives of others. What begins as a harmless attempt to withhold information ends up changing an entire community.

I use this novel in my 8th-grade classroom. Given the script format, students are able to take parts and read it aloud. It provides subject matter for some intense discussions not only about truth, but also about the ethical behavior of many of the characters. I would recommend this book for classroom use, book discussions, or general reading pleasure. ( )

A high school boy gets national attention for a minor incident.

Nothing but the Truth was a interesting, funny, and suspenseful book. It was about a boy name Phillip Malloy who goes to Harrison High school and despite his desire to get on the track team he can’t because he has a D in English and feels his English teacher is doing it on purpose. Although that’s just part of his problem his main one starts here. After being transferred to Miss Narwin’s homeroom who also happens to be his English teacher he has started humming the National Anthem. Although Miss Narwin has told him to stop he continues to hum and is eventually sent to the principal’s office. From there his actions turn for the worst and he is suspended from school. Like any parent would his parents were not at all happy and Philip ends up standing up for himself because his father pressures him to do so. Soon his father starts getting involved and decides to tell his friend Ted about the incident and Ted happens to also be running for the school board and during his speech decides to bring up the incident making it very public. Very soon Philip hits headlines everywhere and I mean everywhere he is on the news, newspapers, interviews, and stories are being written about the incident. As this becomes a national incident Miss Narwin is definitely feeling the heat majority of the people don’t side with her and she is basically a disgrace to the nation. Philip is okay with the publicity he is getting because majority of the people are on his side. In the end Phillip transfers to another school called the Washington Academy and Miss Narwin leaves Harrison High School and goes to live with her sister down in Florida. On Phillips first day of school at Washington Academy the teachers asks him to sing the National Anthem and he starts crying and responds “ I don’t know the words”.
The way the book ended was great and although I hate not knowing what happened after the incident it definitely left me wondering what happened to him. If I had to choose a favorite part of the book it would have to be the end when the teacher asks him to sing the Star Spangled Banner and said he didn’t know the words. I thought it was funny that he didn’t know the words and convinced myself that he bluffed the entire incident. Although it seemed like a bluff it probably was an easy thing to do because everyone was on his side to begin with but it was very clever. Although my favorite part of the book was the ending my least favorite would have to be his parents just talking to him the entire time about his suspension from school being absurd. Yes eventually they were the ones that got the press and made there son famous for this thanks to Philips father. Majority of the time the attention is around Philip and his family.
Overall I would recommend this book to other people because of its funny and intense plot. If this incident actually did occur then all I could say would be wow, and I’m sure everyone would say the same.

Story told through the use of script-like conversations, letter excerpts, phone calls, and memos. Interesting concept! The subject matter was also very important: is it better to be patriotic or to follow the rules? ( )

great for pre-teens! ( )