Mostly the Honest Truth
on Goodreads (446)
What’s inside...
A pitch-perfect story exploring the many meanings of family, Jody J. Little’s tough yet tender debut is perfect for fans of Leslie Connor and Katherine Paterson. After Pop is sent back to rehab, Jane Pengilly arrives at her newest foster home determined to stick to the straight and narrow and get back to her beloved dad as soon as she can. It’s not the first time they’ve been apart, but Jane’s determined it will be the last. Twelve days out in the boonies of Three Boulders makes Jane miss Pop more than ever. But as the days go by, she realizes that family is more than who you’re related to—and that a home can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Mostly the Honest Truth sparkles with a fully realized supporting cast, a safe and supporting setting, and a writer whose ability to imbue her stories with love and hope marks her an author to watch.
Age
8-12
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jane
Pop
G
Discussion points
How did Jane's experiences at the Three Boulders foster home make you feel? Can you relate to her feelings of wanting to belong?
What do you think about Jane's relationship with her father? How did it change throughout the story?
Why is honesty important in the story, and how does it affect the characters?
What would you have done in Jane's situation? Would you have made the same decisions she did?
How do you think the story would have been different if Jane hadn’t gone to Three Boulders?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel in Jane’s situation.
Discuss the importance of honesty and trust, using examples from the book.
Highlight the changes in Jane's relationship with her father, encouraging your child to consider how people can grow and change over time.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on what makes a place feel like home, using Three Boulders as an example.
Ask open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and personal connection to the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: The protagonist, Jane, learns the importance of honesty as she navigates her life split between her father's problematic habits and a hopeful, communal living space.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by understanding the value of truthfulness in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Despite her challenging circumstances, Jane demonstrates resilience as she copes with her father's struggles with alcoholism and her own longing for a stable family environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to persevere through their own difficulties, be it at school, in sports, or personal life, fostering a strong, resilient character.
Example Lesson: The importance of community support
Explanation: Jane finds solace and support in the Three Boulders Family Camp, illustrating how communities can play a crucial role in providing emotional and practical support.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to seek and contribute to supportive community settings, understanding the mutual benefits of sharing experiences and helping others in group environments.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through her interactions with other kids at the camp who also face their own hardships, Jane learns to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of different personal struggles.
Real-World Application: This can guide children to be more empathetic towards their peers, fostering a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage to seek help
Explanation: Jane's journey includes recognizing when she needs help and having the courage to ask for it, which is vital in her growth and handling of family issues.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to understand that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, promoting an open dialogue about personal challenges and mental health.