Liar & Spy
2012 by
on Goodreads (26,507)
What’s inside...
Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father's efforts to start a new business, his mother's extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building.
Why read this book
- Explores themes of friendship, trust, and resilience.
- Encourages empathy and understanding of diverse personalities.
- Stimulates curiosity and detective-like thinking.
- Ideal for interactive and engaging parent-child reading sessions.
The Big Picture
- Navigating friendships with honesty and empathy
- Understanding the impact of lies in relationships
- Building trust and resilience after challenges
- Discussing real-life conflicts and resolutions
Diversity & Representation
- Includes diverse characters from various cultural backgrounds.
- Promotes inclusion through relatable, multi-dimensional characters.
- Encourages understanding and empathy across different cultures.
Book in series
#1
Age
9-12
Length
180 pages
Text complexity
intermediate
Character Compass
Discussion points
What do you think made Georges decide to join the Spy Club, and how did it change his view of the world and the people around him?
How do the secrets in the story affect the relationships between the characters? Can you think of a time when a secret affected one of your relationships?
Safer is a complex character with many layers. What are your thoughts on his actions and motivations? Do you think his actions were justified?
The theme of friendship is central to 'Liar & Spy.' How do Georges and Safer’s friendship evolve throughout the book? What do you think true friendship means?
How do the characters in the book deal with challenges and setbacks? What can we learn from their experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters’ decisions and actions, highlighting the moral complexities within the story.
Discuss the themes of trust and betrayal with your child, relating them to real-life scenarios to deepen their understanding.
Ask your child to compare their own experiences with those of Georges, fostering empathy and a deeper personal connection to the narrative.
Highlight the growth of the characters over time to help your child understand the concept of development and change in people.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of facing challenges and how resilience can be built through difficult times.
What parents love
Great for discussions on friendship and trust.
Addresses real-life issues in a thoughtful way.
Keeps kids hooked with mystery and adventure.
Encourages empathy and understanding.
Key Lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'Liar & Spy', the protagonist, Georges, learns about the consequences of deceit through the interactions and secrets between characters.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of truthfulness in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Embracing change and resilience
Explanation: Throughout the book, Georges navigates various changes in his life, including moving to a new home and dealing with his father's job loss, showcasing his adaptability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cope with changes in their own lives, understanding that adaptability and resilience are key to overcoming challenges.
Example Lesson: The power of friendship
Explanation: Georges forms a unique friendship with Safer, a boy who teaches him about bravery and loyalty, illustrating the impact of supportive friendships.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to seek out and nurture friendships that are positive and supportive, recognizing the crucial role friends play in personal growth.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: The characters in 'Liar & Spy' frequently confront and overcome their fears, whether it's fear of an elevator or standing up to a bully.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to confront their own fears, realizing that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.