February 15, 2002

Walter Hays School

Social/Emotional Learning

Reading List.*

--Students--

Honesty & Truth

Preschool

The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter WH E Pot / PACL PB Potter

The quintessential cautionary tale, Peter Rabbit warns naughty children about the grave consequences of misbehaving. When Mrs. Rabbit beseeches her four furry children not to go into Mr. McGregor's garden, the impish Peter naturally takes this as an open invitation to create mischief. . . [whose] obstinate folly . . . warrants medicine and an early bedtime. Amazon.com. (Age: Preschool).

Ages 4-8

The Adventures of Obadiah, Brinton Turkle WH E Tur / PACL PB Trukle

Because he is always making up stories, no one in the family believes Obadiah's adventure at the sheep shearing squantum. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Annabelle's Un-Birthday, Steven Kroll

Lucky Annabelle: she makes instant friends in her new school; then, in the euphoria at the end of her first day, she invites her entire class to Grandma's for an impromptu ``birthday'' party, Grandma rises handsomely to the occasion, providing not only ice cream but a cake in full regalia. . . Grandma follows up the party with a thoughtful command: Annabelle must explain to her class that it wasn't her birthday. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 4-8).

Anteater on the Stairs, Peter Cottrill

A boy named Joe fabricates tales about an incredible menagerie of unusual pets, but his new friend, Sophie, surprises him with an exotic -- and real -- pet of her own. Horn Book. (Ages 4-8).

Awful Thursday, Ron Roy OL E Roy / PAMP Juv Reader F Roy

Jack feels responsible for ruining a school tape recorder and dreads telling Miss Hope what happened. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

A Bargain for Frances, Russell Hoban WH E Hob / PACL Juv Fiction Hoban

Frances foils Thelma's plot to trick her out of a new china set. Ingram. (Ages 4-8). (Recommended in Valerie & Walter's Best Books for Children). Reader.

Be Nice to Josephine, Betty Horvath WH E Hor

Charlie, who spends every Saturday playing baseball, is horrified when his mother insists that this Saturday he will have to entertain his cousin Josephine. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Believing Sophie, Hazel Hutchins PACL PB Hutchins

An obnoxious lady at the grocery store mistakenly accuses young Sophie of shoplifting, and Sophie must prove her innocence. The storekeeper lets her go, but Sophie isn't sure he believes her. Luckily, she remembers she has concrete proof that she paid for her purchase. Horn Book. (Ages 4-8).

The Berenstain Bears and the Truth, Stan and Jan Berenstain WH E Ber / PAMP PB Berenstain

When Brother and Sister Bear accidentally break Mama's favorite lamp, their little lie grows bigger and bigger, until Papa Bear helps them find the words that set everything right again. Book Description. (Ages 4-8).

Big Bushy Mustache, Gary Soto WH E Sot / PACL PB Soto

Ricky wants to look more like his dad, so he borrows a big bushy mustache from the school costume shelf. Unfortunately, he loses the prop before he can return it. But Ricky's papi soon comes up with a great solution. www.heartwoodethics.org. (Ages 4-8).

A Birthday for Frances, Russell Hoban WH E Hob / PACL PB Hoban

Jealous of her sister's birthday, Frances becomes mean and selfish, until rare generosity and birthday spirit move her to reluctantly give her coveted gift. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

The Boy Who Cried Wolf , Tony Ross

Other Authors: WH 398 Eva

In this contemporary retelling of a traditional tale, Willy cries "Wolf!" to get out of ordeals like taking a bath or going to his violin lesson, until the wolf really appears. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Chen Ping and His Magic Axe, Demi PAMP Juv 398 D378c

Chen Ping sets off to chop wood for his master and he loses his axe. An old man appears and offers to help him find it. First he presents Chen Ping with a gold axe, then a silver one, and Chen Ping refuses both. Only when his trusty old axe is retrieved does Chen Ping claim it. His honesty spells trouble for his greedy master. www.heartwoodethics.org. (Ages 4-8).

A Day's Work, Eve Bunting WH E Bun / PACL PB Bunting

This tale begins in a parking lot with men lined up hoping a truck or car will appear with a driver looking for workers. Francisco is there with his grandfather, who doesn't speak English. Francisco knows they need the work, so he lies about their experience with gardening -- which results in a lot more work than he'd planned on and a lesson in honesty. Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children. (Ages 4-8).

The Dragon's Robe, Deborah Lattimore WH E Lat / PACL PB Lattimore

In this original tale set in ancient China, poor Kwan Yin's great skill as a weaver, as well as her honesty, industry, and courage, enable her to weave a magic robe that calls forth the spirit of the rain dragon who vanquishes the great Khan and his invading army. Horn Book. (Ages 4-8).

The Emperor's New Clothes, Jack Delano

Other Authors: WH 398.21 Emp, San, Ste

Two rascals sell a vain emperor an invisible suit of clothes. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

The Empty Pot, Demi WH E Dem / PACL Juv 398 D378e

In a satisfying, accessible tale, all the children of the land are given seeds to grow for the old emperor; unbeknownst to them the seeds are incapable of germinating. Ping is chosen to be the next emperor when he is the only one who has the courage to come before the ruler with an empty pot. Horn Book. (Ages 4-8).

(Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

Even That Moose Won't Listen to Me, Martha Alexander PACL PB Alexander
This story has the same spirit as "The Boy Who Called Wolf." Nobody pays much attention to Rebecca. She's a little girl with a big imagination and often calls her family to see rocket ships and two-headed frogs. So when she tells her family there is a moose in the garden, they pretty much ignore her. Too bad--since the moose ate all the plants. www.heartwoodethics.org. (Ages 4-8).

Franklin Fibs, Paulette Bourgeois WH E Bou / PACL PB Bourgeois

Bear can climb the highest tree, Hawk can fly over the berry patch without flapping his wings, and Beaver can chop down a tree with his teeth. "I can swallow 76 flies in the blink of an eye," Franklin fibs. . . . Then Franklin's friends ask him to prove it! Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Frederick's Alligator, Esther Peterson WH E Pet / PACL PB Peterson

Frederick has always claimed to have wild animals in his house. Then one day he really does become the owner of a baby alligator. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

The Gollywhopper Egg, Anne Rockwell WH E Roc / PACL Juv Reader F Rockwell

Timothy Todd, the peddler, sells almost anything, including a coconut he endows with unique abilities. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Harriet and the Garden, Nancy Carlson WH E Car / PACL PB Carlson

Harriet feels terrible until she confesses to trampling on a neighbor's garden and ruining a prize dahlia. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Honest Tulio, John Himmelman PACL

When honest Tulio sees a man drop a copper coin in the bustling marketplace, he sets off to find him and return it. It turns out to be a very profitable journey, for Tulio's honesty and kindness prompt people he encounters along the way to give him things. When he finally catches up to the man who dropped the coin, Tulio has acquired a lamb's-wool coat, a circus elephant with a juggling monkey, a royal hat in the shape of the queen's royal poodle, and a chicken that lays square eggs. . . A lively adventure that also reinforces the old adage "Honesty is the best policy." Book List. (Ages 4-8).

I'll Tell on You, Joan Lexau WH F Lex / PACL F Lexau

After his dog bites the coach's daughter, a young boy doesn't tell anyone because he fears that it will keep him off of the team. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Ivan the Great, Isabel Cusack WH F Cus

A parrot named Ivan teaches a nine-year-old the difference between truth and a lie. IPac. (Ages 4-8). Reader.

Jamaica's Find, Juanita Havill OL E Hav / PACL PB Havill

Jamaica finds a stuffed dog at the playground and after taking him home discovers her conscience as well. Book Description. (Ages 4-8).

John Patrick Norman McHennessy, The Boy Who Was Always Late, John Burningham OL E Bur / PACL PB Burningham

Every day John Patrick Norman McHennessy sets off along the road to learn, and every day strange and improbable happenings make him late. To make things worse, his teacher, Sir, never believes his stories. One day, John Patrick Norman McHennessy is able to make it on time and finds that an improbable and strange thing has happened to Sir. Just how the tables are turned provides a twist every child will relish. Book Description. (Ages 4-8). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

The Judge: An Untrue Tale, Harve Zemach WH E Zem / PACL PB Zemach

A judge discovers that five people he had imprisoned are innocent after all. Ingram. (Ages 4-8). (Caldecott Honor Book 1970).

Julian's Glorious Summer, Ann Cameron WH F Cam / PACL Fiction Cameron

Young Julian has a fear of bicycles. When his best friend Gloria gets a new bike, all Julian wants to do is stay away from it. So, instead of telling Gloria the truth about his feelings, Julian lies, saying he has to work for his dad and can't play with her. But Julian soon learns to face his fears--and confront his lie when he gets his own brand new bike. www.heartwoodethics.org. (Ages 4-8).

King Bob's New Clothes, Dom DeLuise

King Discombobulated (Bob for short) has his priorities all mixed up. He loves new clothes more than anything in his kingdom. Yet his clothes are so silly that his royal subjects can hardly avoid laughing at their king. One day a pair of smooth-talking tailors shows up in town. They promise to make the king a suit of magical cloth that can only be seen by the pure of heart. The king is thrilled! But when he parades through town wearing nothing but his magic threads, will anyone have the courage to tell the king the naked truth? Book Description. (Ages 4-8).

The King's Fountain, Lloyd Alexander WH E Ale / PACL PB Alexander

When the king plans to build a grand fountain at his palace, he doesn't realize that it will sap the surrounding village of its water supply. A poor man musters his courage and risks his life to inform the ruler and save his people. www.heartwoodethics.org. (Ages 4-8).

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire! Miriam Cohen OL E Coh / PACL PB Cohen

Zoe, worried that she is not special, has the bad habit of making up outrageous stories and trying to pass them off as the truth in order to make herself appear more interesting. Her constant lying has made her classmates, teacher, and parents suspicious of anything she says. Even when Zoe tells the truth, no one believes her except her devoted younger brother, Joey, and her kind friend, Michael, and even they are getting fed up. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 4-8). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

The Magic Fan, Keith Baker WH E Bak / PACL PB Baker

Despite the laughter of his fellow villagers, Yoshi uses his building skills to make a boat to catch the moon, a kite to reach the clouds, and a bridge that mimics the rainbow. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Mollie's Lies, Kay Chorao WH E Cho

Challenged by a classmate on the first day of school, Molly stops making up stories and admits her fears. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Molly's Pilgrim, Barbara Cohen WH E Coh / PACL PB Cohen

Russian emigre Molly is embarrassed by her mother's attempts to help with her Thanksgiving project. She makes a pilgrim doll--but dresses it in Russian clothing. Soon, however, Molly learns that it takes all kinds of "pilgrims" to make a Thanksgiving. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins or Things, Judith Viorst WH E Vio / PACL PB Viorst

Viorst deals humorously with a childhood truth; here it's the threat of imaginary monsters and a mother's reassurances that they don't exist. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Once, Said Darlene, Wiliam Sleator WH E Sle / PACL Juv Reader F Sleator

Darlene's stories sound unbelievable but she insists they are all true. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Pedro and the Padre: A Tale from Jalisco, Mexico, Verne Aardema PACL Juv 398 A113pp

Lazy Pedro is a likable rascal who enjoys deceiving people, but after narrowly escaping a drowning because of one of his lies, he vows to amend his ways. Horn Book. (Ages 4-8).

Poppleton, Cynthia Rylant WH E Ryl / PACL Juv Reader Fiction Ryl

Poppleton is the new pig in town. He makes friends with his neighbor, Cherry Sue, but all she wants to do is feed Poppleton--oatmeal in the morning, toasted cheese in the afternoon, spaghetti at night. The food frenzy goes on day after day until Poppleton soaks Cherry Sue with his hose. He's tired of sharing meals, but it turns out Cherry Sue thought he'd be hurt if she stopped preparing food for him. Booklist. (Ages 4-8).

(Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children). Reader.

The Principal's New Clothes, Stephanie Calmenson OL E Cal / PACL PB Calmenson

In this version of the Andersen tale the vain principal of P.S. 88 is persuaded by two tailors that they will make him an amazing, one-of-a-kind, suit that will be visible only to intelligent people who are good at their jobs. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Rabbit Rambles On, Susanna Gretz

Frog and Duck decide to teach their friend Rabbit a lesson after he tells tall tales about his juggling and balancing skills. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Roses Sing on New Snow: A Delicious Tale, Paul Yee PACL PB Yee

While Maylin does the cooking for her family's Chinatown restaurant, her greedy father and two fat brothers take all the credit. When her specially prepared dish, ``Roses Sing on New Snow,'' is served to the visiting governor of South China, he asks the brothers to show him how it was made. They fail miserably. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 4-8).

Ruby the Copycat, Peggy Rathman WH E Rat / PACL PB Rathman

At first, when new-girl Ruby imitates Angela, Angela takes it in good part: they must be kindred spirits. But as she realizes that Ruby's claims (only Angela was really a bridesmaid) aren't true, Angela is ever-more annoyed with her mimicry. A sensitive teacher helps Ruby see that doing her own thing is a better way to make friends. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 4-8). (Recommended in Valerie & Walter's Best Books for Children).

Sam, Bangs & Moonshine, Evaline Ness WH E Nes / PACL PB Ness

Samantha (known as Sam) is a fisherman's daughter who dreams rich and lovely dreams--moonshine, her father says. When her tall stories bring disaster to her friend Thomas and her cat Bangs, Sam learns to distinguish between moonshine and reality. Ingram. (Ages 4-8). (Caldecott Medal Winner 1967).

Striding Slippers, Mirra Ginsburg OL 398.2 Gin / PACL Juv 398 G493s

Magical striding slippers are stolen from the shepherd who made them, but they cannot be controlled by anyone else. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

Sukey and the Mermaid, Robert San Souci WH 398.21 San / PACL Juv 398 S197sm

Eager to escape her stepfather's scolding, Sukey, the hardworking daughter of poor South Carolina Islanders, unwittingly conjures up Mama Jo, a beautiful, brown-skinned mermaid, who gives Sukey a special gift. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Summer Wheels, Eve Bunting WH F Bun / PACL Fiction Bunting

In a neighborhood where few kids own bikes, the ``Bicycle Man'' (based on a real person) loans out his lovingly renovated collection, with just two rules: the bikes must be returned by four, and if they're damaged, the borrower must help make repairs. One day blond Brady and his friend Lawrence (the African-American narrator) make an early return; Lawrence is dismayed to see a tough-looking boy taking his favorite bike, signing an obviously false name. Sure enough, ``Abrehem Lincoln'' doesn't bring the bike back until the younger boys pursue him next day; and when he's entrusted with a second bike, he misuses it--but then returns to confide his true name and make an earnest effort at repair. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 4-8).

The Surprise Party, Annabelle Prager WH E Pra / PACL Fiction Prager

Nicky wants to have a surprise party--for himself! He gets his friend Albert to invite all the kids, and make sure there's lots of cake and presents. What could go wrong? Book Description. (Ages 4-8).

Talking Eggs : A Folktale from the American South, Robert D. San Souci WH 398.21 San/ PACL 398 S197t

Two sisters lived down Louisiana way long ago: Rose, who was unpleasant, mean, and the older of the two; and her younger sister, Blanche, who was "sweet and kind and sharp as forty crickets." Guess who has to do all the work for Rose and their mother? Blanche's kind and obedient nature finally pays off when she helps an old woman who has magical powers--and a chicken house full of talking eggs containing treasures for those who do as they're told. Amazon.com. (Ages 5-10). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children). (Caldecott Honor Book 1990).

The Thief's Daughter, Alan Marks

[A] tale of an honest man disgraced and discharged from his court post when he is suspected of theft. Years later, with the aid of a noble and mysterious woman who appears and disappears without warning, his daughter Magpie finds the golden key to a box the Queen had given her father as a token of trust. Inside are deeds to enough land to lift her family from poverty--a satisfying enough end to a tale of honesty rewarded. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 4-8).

To Tell The Truth, Patti Farmer

Benjamin Gates is a pillar of virtue. Whenever someone asks for his opinion, he is compelled to tell the truth. But the truth is often the last thing people want to hear. Pretty soon, the whole class is refusing to speak to him. Determined to keep his policy of honesty, Benjamin must find a way to remain '"true" both to his convictions and to his playmates. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Too Many Tamales, Gary Soto WH E Sot / PACL PB Soto

The whole family is coming for Christmas, so Maria and her parents are busy making tamales--Maria helps Mom knead the masa, and her father puts them in the pot to boil. While they're working, Maria secretly tries on Mom's diamond ring, then forgets about it until she's playing with her cousins. Since it's not on her thumb she's sure it's in a tamale, so the four cousins consume all 24 (with some difficulty) in hopes of finding it. No luck--the ring's on Mom's finger, after all. In this family, there's no scolding: Aunt Rosa says, ``It looks like we all have to cook up another batch,'' and so they do, three generations laughing and working together. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 4-8).

The Treasure, Uri Shulevitz OL 398.2 Shu / PAMP PB Shulevitz

A retelling of the traditional English tale in which a poor man follows the advice of his dream and is eventually led to a treasure. Ingram. (Ages 4-8). (Caldecott Honor Book 1980).

The True Francine, Marc Brown WH E Bro / PACL PB Brown

Francine and Muffy are good friends until Muffy lets Francine take the blame for cheating on a test. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

True or False? Patricia Ruben OL E Rub

Presents true or false questions about the accompanying photographs. IPac. (Ages 4-8).

What's So Terrible About Swallowing an Apple Seed? Harriet Lerner

When Rosie accidentally swallows an apple seed, her big sister Katie tells her that before long apple tree branches will bloom right out of her ears. Soon Rosie is imagining both the hazards and delights of having branches growing from her ears, and Katie is learning just how fast a little white lie can grow. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Zack's Tall Tale, Shelagh Canning

When Zack is afraid to tell his father that he broke a valuable camera that he promised he would not touch, Plato relates to him the story of George Washington and the cherry tree, and Zack learns the value of honesty. Ingram. (Ages 4-8).

Ages 9-12

Bad Times of Irma Baumlein, Carol Brink WH F Bri / PACL Juv F Brink

Irma's lie about having the biggest doll in the world leads her into deeper and deeper trouble. IPac. (Ages 9-12).

Big Bazoohley, Peter Carey OL F Car / PACL F Carey

Sam Kellow's family is stuck in the middle of a blizzard in a hotel room that costs $453 a night, but they are down to their last $40. Sam's father believes in the Big Bazoohley--the "Big Prize, the Jackpot"--that will come along just in time to save the family from ruin. But waiting around isn't good enough for Sam as comedy, adventure and fantasy unite in this highly acclaimed novel. Ingram. (Ages 9-12). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, Paula Danzinger WH F Dan / PACL F Danzinger

Marcy Lewis is bored by school; her father tyrannizes both Marcy and her mother; she despairs of ever being thin; she is certain she'll never have a date and that a horrible case of acne will break out any minute. Then along comes Ms. Finney, an English teacher willing to try anything in the classroom. Above all, she is accessible and human. Marcy has never met anyone like her, and suddenly life in and out of school begins to have a purpose. When Ms. Finney is suspended because of her controversial teaching methods and her refusal to pledge allegiance to the flag, the whole school is thrown into an uproar. Now out of her protective shell, Marcy helps to organize a protest, and she too is suspended. With her mother firmly on her side, her father violently opposed, Marcy must decide whether her fight for Ms. Finney and the values she stands for is worth the price she must pay at home and in school. From the Publisher. (Ages 9-12).

Cheater, Cheater, Elizabeth Levy OL F Lev

The problem with trying to impress someone is that what you do sometimes gets you in trouble. Cheating is not Lucy's style, but she ends up doing it to make Joey like her. The consequences demonstrate the complications that can follow one little lie. Horn Book. (Ages 9-12).

Harriet the Spy, Louise Fitzhugh WH F Fit / PACL F Fitzhugh

Harriet the Spy was a groundbreaking book: its unflinchingly honest portrayal of childhood problems and emotions changed children's literature forever . . . and remains one of the best children's novels ever written. The fascinating story is about an intensely curious and intelligent girl, who literally spies on people and writes about them in her secret notebook, trying to make sense of life's absurdities. When her classmates find her notebook and read her painfully blunt comments about them, Harriet finds herself a lonely outcast. Fitzhugh's writing is astonishingly vivid, real and engaging, and Harriet, by no means a typical, loveable heroine, is one of literature's most unforgettable characters. Amazon.com. (Ages 9-12).

(Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

Honestly, Myron, Dean Hughes WH F Hug

Fifth-grader Myron takes his teacher's lesson on the importance of honesty very seriously and becomes absolutely honest at all times. He is confused by the hostility his new attitude provokes in the community. IPac. (Ages 9-12).

The Lemonade Trick, Scott Corbett OL F Cor / PAMP F Corbett

A mysterious potion mixed by Kerby with his chemistry set has a beneficial effect on the neighborhood bully but also wreaks havoc at the Sunday School pageant. Ingram. (Ages 9-12).

Lizzie Lies a Lot, Elizabeth Levy WH F Levy / PACL F Levy

Nine-year-old Lizzie's impulse to lie affects her relationships with family and friends. IPac. (Ages 8-12).

Love, From the Fifth Grade Celebrity, Patricia Giff OL F Gif

In this fourth Casey Valentine book, Casey can't wait for the new school year since she's sure she'll be elected class president and her friend Tracy will be moving to her town. But when Tracy wins the election and steals her friends, Casy begins to wish her friend had never come to town. Ingram. (Ages 9-12).

Mary Marony and the Chocolate Surprise, Suzy Kline WH F Kli / PACL Juv New F Kline

Mary Marony desperately wants to be one of the five lucky students to find a golden ticket in one of the chocolate bars Mrs. Bird is using for a classroom game based on the story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. When some unauthorized peeks reveal that obstreperous Marvin, whom Mary dislikes, is set to win, Mary makes a chocolate bar exchange. As luck would have it, though, her winning is tarnished by her dishonesty, leaving her wondering whether cheating is sometimes OK or always wrong. Booklist. (Ages 9-12).

Misty and Me, Barbara Girion WH F Gir / PACL F Girion

Eleven-year-old Kim finds that keeping a dog in secret is a very expensive and time-consuming proposition. IPac. (Ages 9-12).

My Brother, the Thief, Marlene Shyer OL F Shy / PACL F Shyer

Twelve-year-old Carolyn tries to deal with the knowledge that her 16-year-old brother Richard and his shady friend Flim-flam are thieves. IPac. (Ages 9-12).

Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel, Avi OL F Avi / PACL Young Adult F Avi

Ninth-grader Philip has never been in trouble, but he's upset because his English grade is keeping him off the track team. . . [H]e hums along with the daily playing of the national anthem . . . [when h]is English teacher . . . tries to enforce the silence rule, Philip responds with offhand rudeness . . . [T]he ensuing confrontation escalates into a two-day suspension followed by national media attention based on the erroneous belief that Philip has been denied the right to express his patriotism. Skillfully composing his story from school memos, news clips, dialogues, and Philip's diary, Avi shows how well-meaning people can generate misinformation through a combination of interrupting or simply not listening, shaping facts to suit their own goals, letting preconceptions muddy thought, or just lacking the will and the skill to get things straight. The garbled conversations here are all too believable; only one reporter makes an intelligent effort to find out what really happened, and his story is never printed. Nobody wins . . .Wryly satirical: nothing but the deplorable truth about our increasingly inarticulate, media-driven society. Kirkus Reviews.(Ages 9-12). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children). (Newbery Honor Book 1992).

On My Honor, Marion Bauer OL F Bauer / PACL F Bauer

When his best friend drowns while they are swimming in a treacherous river that they had promised never to go near, Joel is devastated and terrified at having to tell both sets of parents the terrible consequences of their disobedience. Ingram. (Ages 9-12). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children (Newbery Honor Book 1987).

A Penny's Worth of Character, Jessie Stuart

A boy's guilt catches up with him when he deceives a shopkeeper in order to get some candy. He sets things right at the behest of his mother and learns a valuable lesson about telling the truth. www.heartwoodethics.org. (Ages 9-12).

Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi WH F Col / PACL F Collodi

The famous puppet made of wood comes to life again in a colorful unabridged edition, as he tries to please his father Geppetto and stay out of trouble by letting his conscience be his guide. Ingram. (Ages 9-12).

The Pistachio Prescription, Paula Danzinger WH F Dan / PACT F Danzinger

Cassandra (Cassie) Stephens is thirteen, a "mousy-brown" in a family of blonds and redheads, a totem pole among shapelies, a nonentity in a world of achievers. On top of that, she's got asthma. World War III is waged daily in her home, beginning at the breakfast table and ending with slammed doors at night. "Operation Overthrow" is under way at school, with Cassie running for freshperson class president. Pressures mount from all sides until Cassie, the first "teenage bomb in captivity," thinks she just might explode. But it isn't Cassie who explodes--it's her family. From the Publisher. (Ages 9-12).

A Question of Trust, Marion Dane Bauer OL F Bau / PACL Juv F Bauer

Bauer constructs a close-knit story explicating subtle ethical issues through a young person trying to work out his troubles in good faith, if sometimes wrongheadedly. Furious with his mother for moving out, Brad, 12, refuses--in the vain hope of forcing her return--to speak to her or let his loyal little brother Charlie contact her. Meanwhile, the boys take in a stray cat and, with astonishment and awe, watch her give birth. They can't tell Dad because he's known to be unforgiving and is sure to cite their irresponsibility (years ago) with pets and to take ``Cat'' to a shelter; but with neither parent to help, Cat's ongoing drama grows increasingly traumatic. To feed her, the normally honest Brad snitches Dad's change; worse, Cat appears to have eaten an ailing kitten. Horrified, the boys drive her away, then struggle to care for the remaining kitten, a round-the-clock task. When Cat returns, Charlie angrily attacks her, she's hurt, and the whole story comes out (like the father in On My Honor, Dad proves to be fair and, ultimately, supportive); a vet explains Cat's not unnatural behavior in clearing her nest of a probably dead kitten. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 9-12).

The Stinky Sneakers Contest, Julie Peters

There is a lesson about sportsmanship and honesty in this early chapter book about two boys whose friendship is threatened when they enter a smelly sneaker contest. Horn Book. (Ages 9-12).

To Live a Lie, Anne Alexander WH F Ale

Hurt by her parent's divorce and living with her father, Jennifer changes her name and tells people her mother is dead. IPac. (Ages 9-12).

True Lies: 18 Tales for You to Judge, George Shannon OL 398.2 Sha / PACL Juv 398 S5275t

[T]his collection of 18 stories that challenge readers to discover what is true and what is fabricated. Whether it's the story of the brothers digging for treasure in the vineyard their late father bequeathed them (when the treasure is the vineyard itself), or the tale of the brother and sister who promised their mother they'd each eat only one of the cookies they were baking, but were still too full to eat dinner (because the cookies they'd devoured were as big as a cake), there is a host of amusing and tricky folktales, biblical stories, and fables to test anyone's truth-telling skills. . . [E]very one ends with ``The Whole Truth,'' a section that reveals any deceptions or slippery omissions. A collection that confirms for children what they may have guessed already about life's many shades of gray. Kirkus Reviews. (Ages 9-12). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

The Trumpet of the Swan, E. B. White WH F Whi / PACL Juv Fiction White

The book is considered a classic of children's literature. White's version of the ugly duckling story involves a mute swan named Louis who becomes a famous jazz trumpet player to compensate for his lack of a natural voice. Aided by his father, who steals a trumpet for him, and by Sam Beaver, an 11-year-old human friend, Louis is able to attract a mate and eventually to return to the wilderness. The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature. (Ages 9-12).

The Truthful Harp, Lloyd Alexander WH F Ale

e king of a small land in Prydain, unable to pass the test to be a bard, is given a harp whose strings keep breaking as he speaks. IPac. (Ages 9-12).

When Stories Fell Like Shooting Stars, Valiska Gregory

Two original, allegorical tales demonstrate different options for action in the real world. In the first, the sun falls to earth, and Fox covers it with a cloth, announcing that from now on he will control day and night. Weasel and Crow dispute Fox's power, divide the animals into factions, and begin a war that ends with a scorched earth and a forgotten sun. In the second story, Bear finds the moon fallen to earth. He and the other animals work together to return it to the sky and, later, listen to the story of what they did. Book List. (Ages 9-12). (Recommended in Valerie & Walter's Best Books for Children).

Ages 13 and Up (Young Adult)

Deathwatch, Robb White WH F Whi / PACL F White

An exciting novel of suspense, based on a fight to the finish between an honest and courageous young man and a cynical business tycoon who believes that anything can be had for a price. Horn Book. (Ages 13 and up). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

Face on the Milk Carton, Caroline Cooney OL F Coo / PACL F Cooney

Recognizing herself as the missing child on a school milk carton, Janie is compelled to investigate and has to choose between her love for the people she has always known as her parents and needing to learn the truth. Ingram. (Ages 13 and up). (Recommended in Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children).

Tell Me No Lies, Hila Coleman OL F Col

After finding out the truth about her absent father, a twelve-year-old girl learns about the difficult choices people must sometimes make. IPac. (Ages: Young Adult).

Not Reviewed

Ages 4-8

Amanda and the Giggling Ghost, Steven Kroll

A Big, Fat, Enormous Lie, Marjorie Sharmat PACL PB Sharmat

Freya's Fantastic Surprise, Elizabeth Hathorn

Honest Ape, Bob Reese

A Pair of Red Clogs, Masako Matsuno WH E Mat

The Three Friends, Susanne Kubler PACL PB Kubler

The Winter Wife: An Abenaki Folktale, Anne Crompton PACL Juv 398 C945w

Ages 9-12

Justice, Joan Johnson

Lower, Higher! You're a Liar, Miriam Chaikin

A Tangled Web, Hannelore Valencak

Tell the Truth, Marly Dee, Barbara Williams

Ages Unspecified

Abraham Lincoln: The Backwoods Boy, Horatio Alger, Jr.

The Best Kept Secret of the War, Leonard Todd PACL Juv F Todd

A Big Fish Story, Joanne Wylie PACL Juv Fiction Spanish Wylie

A Boy Called Fish, Alison Morgan

Charlotte Cheetham, Master of Disaster, Barbara Holmes

Diogenes: The Story of the Greek Philosopher, Aliki

Ernie's Little Lie, Dan Elliott

Honest Andrew, Gloria Skurzynski

I Know You Cheated, Valjean McLenighan

Josie's Beau, Natalie Honeycutt PACL F Honeycutt

Just Between Us, Susan Beth Pfeffer

Leonard the Llama that Lied, Susan Cameron

The Lie, Ann Helena

Rufus's Big Day, Jane Wilson

The Secret Box, Joanna Cole PACL F Cole

Taro and the Tofu, Masako Matsuno

Tyron, the Double Dirty, Rotten Cheater, Hans Wilhelm

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* We have not yet had the chance to read all the books recommended, so you might to pre-read the selections if you are concerned about content. Of those we have read, we added a notation if we thought the theme might pose some problems for you (such as death, capital punishment, or discussion of the topic in the context of a religious holiday).

Books marked WH are in our library, OL in other Palo Alto School District libraries, PACL at the Palo Alto Children's Library, PAMain at Palo Alto Main Library and PAMP at Palo Alto Mitchell Park Library.