Title: Nothing but the Truth (And a few White Lies)
Author: Justina Chen Headley
# of pages: 256
Review:
Patty Ho was born to a Taiwanese mother and a white father. Since her father left her family, Patty's mother has been working tirelessly as an accountant to feed the family. However, her mother is subject to performing lengthy lectures and screaming in the public when she is unsatisfied with something. As the school year ends, the Truth Statement that was meant to be her end-of-the-year project was labelled by the teacher as "incomplete" because it did not seem to portray the truth about herself.
The following summer, Patty is sent to math camp at Stanford. There, she meets teenagers she once considered as nerds, but who are really people just the same as she is and have a passion for math (or were otherwise sent by their parents to study mathematics). Though she used to deny her mathematical abilities, she learns from her mentor at Stanford that one must not hide their strengths, and that she must be proud of her heritage regardless of common stereotypes. By the end of the camp, Patty finally realizes the truth about who is , and it is with that knowledge that she finally completes her Truth Statement and hands it in to her teacher.
Justina Chen Headley did a fantastic job of portraying the process of self-discovery and how the support of mentors and friends can help one accept the identity of oneself. It takes a series of events before Patty transforms from a girl who downplayed her mother's origins after constant bullying at school, to a confident young adult. Headley also gave an interesting perspective on the common stereotypes regarding Asians, describing how a seemingly harmless stereotype could have such effect on a person.
Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) is recommended for all teenagers, and may be of particular interest to those of Asian or part-Asian descent. The novel also contains some significant elements of chick lit.
Screen Name: WaterfallOfDestiny
Branch: Angus Glen
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1 comment:
Hey Waterfall:
Patty sounds like many of the teen customers I see in the library, everyday.
she is searching for her identity and denying her true abilities, for her own reasons.
i love the idea of the truth statement. I sometimes think we all need a truth statement in our lives.
Unfortunately, I often see many parents who mean well for their children but are often overbearing and impatient about them reaching goals. They mean well but go about things all the wrong way.
I know as a parent, I make many mistakes especially with my older daughter.
Catherine
P.S. this is one i will put out for display.
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