---
title: "Reading Everywhere: Book Review: Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead"
url: https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/07/book-review-liar-spy-by-rebecca-stead
description: "Read the latest information and articles from Reading Everywhere."
---

# Reading Everywhere: Book Review: Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead

- [About](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/about-me.html)
- [Review Policy](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/review-policy.html)
- [Frequently Visited Posts](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/frequently-visited-posts.html)

## Monday, July 30, 2012

### Book Review: Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead

Stead, Rebecca.

Liar & Spy

. 192 p. 2012. Random House Children's Books. Hardcover $15.99. ISBN 9780385737432.

I was so excited to get ahold of the ARC of the upcoming title from Newbery Medal winning author, Rebecca Stead. I absolutely loved her Newbery-winning title,

[When You Reach Me](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375850864/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375850864&linkCode=as2&tag=readineveryw-20)

.

I still get chills thinking about the way she wove all the plot elements together in that book! On the other hand, I really didn't connect with her debut novel,

[First Light](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0440422221/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0440422221&linkCode=as2&tag=readineveryw-20)

. Having had such drastically different reactions to her books, I was curious to see how I would like

[Liar & Spy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385737432/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385737432&linkCode=as2&tag=readineveryw-20)

, a story about a kid trying to survive the awkwardness of middle school and navigate a strange but compelling friendship when he moves to a new apartment building.

My verdict? I

loved

it. This slim volume, clocking in at under 200 pages, is

a quick read that's jam-packed with thought-provoking themes and memorable, multilayered characters. It has the feel of an indie movie-- quirky and brilliant, and will undoubtedly appeal to fans of

The Westing Game

, by Ellen Raskin.

The main character, Georges, is someone the reader really roots for. He's matter-of-factly morose at times, in the most endearing way. The themes of bullying, friendship, and fitting in versus standing out provide much fodder for discussion and insight, making this title a good choice for a middle school book group. Stead also weaves in unexpectedly delightful motifs like spelling and silent letters, choosing one's own name, and painter Georges Seurat's pointilism as a metaphor for life-- whether you see the big picture or examine all of the little dots individually.

|  |
|---|
| A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand-Jatte,   by Georges Seurat, 1884-86 |

As she did in

When You Reach Me

, Stead weaves a tight storyline with subtle clues and red herrings that keep the reader guessing and wondering-- and then brings it all together with a twist at the end. I love a good unreliable narrator, and this book has a great one.

Brilliantly plotted, tightly written, and deeply satisfying.

Look for

[Liar & Spy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385737432/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385737432&linkCode=as2&tag=readineveryw-20)

on bookstore shelves on August 7. ARC for review acquired at ALA Annual from

[Random House](http://www.randomhouse.com/)

.

Posted by

[Allison](http://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832)

at

[7:00 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/07/book-review-liar-spy-by-rebecca-stead.html)

Labels:

[book review](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/book%20review)

,

[children's](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/children%27s)

,

[contemporary](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/contemporary)

,

[middle grade](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/middle%20grade)

,

[realistic](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/realistic)

[Newer Post](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/08/teen-make-and-take-crafts.html)

[Older Post](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/07/audiobook-review-call-it-courage-by.html)

[Home](https://readingeverywhere.com/)

Subscribe to:

[Post Comments (Atom)](https://readingeverywhere.com/feeds/7094952057366468190/comments/default)