Liar & Spy

Twelve-year-old Georges is having a hard time - not only is he getting bullied at school, but his family has been forced to move from the house he's lived in all his life to an apartment. And to top it off, his mom has been working a lot of double shifts at the hospital.

Luckily, there's Safer. The very first day Georges moves in, he sees a flyer for a Spy Club in his building's basement. Intrigued, he decides to show up for the meeting. Nothing is ever the same again.

Safer's convinced that "Mr. X," a mysterious tenant on the fourth floor, is actually a murderer. With the help of Safer's little sister Candy, the two set up surveillance in an effort to show what this man's really up to.

But what happens if Mr. X finds out?

Stead sets up an intriguing story with realistic characters, layered with numerous issues regarding both Georges and Safer. And just when readers might think they know how the story will end, Stead takes things in an unexpected direction.

Rebecca Stead is the M. Night Shyamalan of children's literature, and I mean that in a good "Sixth Sense" way, not a lame "The Happening" one. It's funny, but when I try to compare her other authors I find myself tongue-tied. Who else spends as much time on setting up and knocking down expectations in such a surefire manner? Now Ms. Stead has created the most dreaded of all books: The one you write after you've won a major award. Which is to say, she won a Newbery Medal for "When You Reach Me" and now comes her next book "Liar & Spy". Like all beloved authors who don't follow up their hits with sequels, Ms. Stead is contending with some critics who expected more science fiction. Instead, what they're getting is a jolt of realistic fiction housed in a story that feels like nothing so much as "Rear Window" meets "Harriet the Spy". Though opinions on it vary widely, in the end I think it's safe to call this a fun novel with a secret twist and a strong, good heart. Who could ask for anything more?

Don't call him Gorgeous. Georges has had to live with his uniquely spelled name all his life (gee THANKS, namesake Georges Seurat) and it's never been anything but a pain. You know what else is a pain? Moving from your awesome home where you had a loft made out of a real fire escape to an apartment with an unemployed dad and an absentee albeit loving mom. When Georges meets the similarly oddly named kid Safer in the new apartment building he becomes enmeshed in the boy's spy club. Is there someone up to no good in the complex? How far will the boys go to learn the truth? As things escalate and George finds himself facing fears he didn't even know he could have, he discovers that everything in his life boils down to this question: when it comes to his relationship with Safer, who really is the liar and who really is the spy?

If a book has a twist to its ending but you don't know that a twist will be coming in the first place, is it a spoiler to mention the fact in a review? I'm counting on the answer to that question to be no since I'd like to talk about the twist a tad. As an adult reader of a children's book text I did pick up on the fact that throughout the book adults kept looking at Georges in a concerned way. I think it's fair to say that an intelligent kid with a good eye for detail might also notice as well. Would they think it weird that these looks aren't explained or would they just write it off as the author's literary fancy? I haven't a clue. All I really know at this point is that for probably 96% of the child readership of this book, the ending is going to come flying at them from out of nowhere. In all likelihood.

I've had a lot of debates with adults about this novel and it's funny how diverse the opinions of it range. Some folks think it's a natural continuation of "When You Reach Me". Others take issue with Stead's use of geography or pacing. But the sticking point that comes up the most when people discuss this book is the fact that Georges is a boy. For a some readers, it isn't until a good chunk of the story has passed that they suddenly realize that the voice they've been hearing is a boy's voice and not a girl's. For some, the shock is too much and they deem the speaker to be an inauthentic take on how guys talk. Stead is the mother of two boys, as I recall, so they are not (to cop a phrase) "unknown quantities" to her. Anyway, for my part this was not the problem that it's proved to be for some readers. I was more concerned about the nature of the taste test. In this book Georges has a science class where a taste-related test will determine whether or not he's an outcast for good. I loved how the test fit in within the context of the greater story. What I couldn't quite feel was Georges' dread of this test. It's described in such a blasé matter-of-fact way early on that when we are told that he worries about the test it's just that. We're told how he feels. We don't feel how he feels. It's a fine line.

That said, when it comes right down to it Stead's writing is stellar. She fills the book with these little insights and conjectures that could only come from a unique brain. I love it when kids speculate about weird things in books, so Georges' thoughts about his dad as a boy are just great, particularly when he says, "I wonder whether Dad and I would have been friends, or if he would have been friends with Dallas Llewellyn, or Carter Dixon, or what. It's kind of a bummer to think your own dad might have been someone who called you Gorgeous." Similarly I was very fond of the characters in this book. Safer was a perfect noir hero, complete with backstory and shady intentions. And seriously, how can you resist a kid that keeps insisting that he's drinking coffee from his flask? Minor characters are just as interesting too. Bob English, a classmate of Georges, is a redeemed class freak along the lines of Dwight from "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda". I'm a sucker for that kind of creation.

Unlike her previous novel "When You Reach Me", "Liar & Spy" is set firmly in the 21st century. In an era of helicopter parenting, this book got me to wonder whether or not the economic downturn would create an abundance of latchkey children with parents who work more and more jobs to make ends meet. If so, we may see more characters like Georges free to wander the streets while their parental units exist in absence. Something to chew on. Regardless, the book has engendered a lot of discussion and undoubtedly folks will continue to talk about it and debate it for years to come. The best way to summarize it? It's about an unreliable narrator who meets an unreliable narrator. It's also fun. And that, really, is all you need to say about that.

For ages 9-12.

Liar & Spy really surprised me in every single way. First of all, I usually don't read middle-school books at all because they don't interest me like YA novels do. Second, I don't usually read realistic fiction because in my opinion reality is too ordinary and boring to read about. I went against my reader instinct when I picked up Liar & Spy but I'm happy I did.

I really would like to thank Random House for providing me with an advanced reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. Liar & Spy exceeded my expectations! Liar & Spy is at the surface, a children's book but it's so much more. This is a book that people of all ages can enjoy even stubborn teens like me.

Liar & Spy is a fantastic and realistic tale that takes place in the borough of Brooklyn. Our hero Georges has moved into a new apartment building where he meets Safer, a twelve year old spy. Safer casts Georges into a fun and dangerous world of spies. Their assignment to investigate the mysterious Mr. X.

Rebecca Stead created a fast, fun and interesting adventure. All the characters and dialogue were so witty and uniquely crafted. Stead wrote an unique book that readers will cherish and won't forget any time soon. I felt like I really could relate to all the characters because they were so down to earth. The characters dealt with real-life problems that people actually face on a daily basis.

Liar & Spy is a story about conquering your fears, growing up, and facing problems. There are just so many lessons in this book that readers should part with. Even if this book doesn't seem like your thing I suggest you try it. I really loved Stead's writing style so I decided to get When You Reach Me and I am ready to read it soon.

If you want to read a smart, witty, and fun book what are you waiting for?

Georges is in seventh grade and doesn't have many friends. He tries not to call attention to himself, but unfortunately the class bullies still spot Georges and make fun of him because of his name: George with an s. His dad lost his job in the past year, so the family had to downsize and moved into a new apartment building, or rather an old apartment building, with lots of unique features. It’s up to Georges and his dad to unpack and setup the apartment, because his mom is so busy at the hospital. When Georges sees a sign in the basement that says Spy Club Meeting Today he ends up getting to know Candy, Safer and later, their Bohemian family. Safer teaches Georges how to be more observant by watching the residents of the apartment building on the lobby camera. Later he wants Georges to help him solve the crime of Mr. X. Unfortunately, Safer is pushing the limits and wants Georges to do things he doesn’t feel comfortable doing. Will Georges help solve the case? Is Safer someone who should be trusted? Will Georges ever be able to change the way things are for him at school? What else is really going on in Georges’s life? Read this mysterious book to find out!

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead is a book I found easy to relate to for a few reasons. Even though I'm not really like Georges, we have parts of our personalities that are similar. We both like funny things, and we get bored doing stuff we don’t really want to do. I loved Safer’s family and found them very entertaining. I also really liked the character of Bob English, a kid in Georges’s science class who likes to draw. The story had some surprises up its sleeve, and I liked trying to solve the case of Mr. X. I think this book would be appropriate for kids in fifth grade and up. It will appeal to kids who like a mystery, because they will enjoy trying to figure out what's really happening with Mr. X and what's going on with Georges. I know I liked it, and I think others will too. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Rebecca Stead is a genius. "When You Reach Me" is one of my favorite books ever (and not just because it centers around the $25,000 Pyramid) and I'd been looking forward to reading "Liar & Spy" for a long time. I'd forgotten about it, until my niece was buying a toy at a toy store and I saw this book there. "Please! Please! Can I have it?!" I was saying on the inside.

Not that "When You Reach Me" is a "girl" book, or "Liar & Spy" is a "boy" book, but "Liar & Spy" distinguishes itself from "When You Reach Me" by having a boy narrator, a focus on adventure and suspense, and a refreshing lack of romance.

Describing this book as "quirky" doesn't do it justice. But it is. Georges has moved into a new apartment with his dad. In the basement, he finds something called The Spy Club, which is run by another kid in the building named Safer. Safer is somewhat of a xenophobe, and lives his life by spying on people in the building and the parrots across the street. While they spy in the afternoon, Georges has to go to school during the day, and deal with typical middle school drama -- bullies, losing friends, and a taste test that promises either True Love or Certain Death. See? Typical.

Something about Stead's writing -- the acute attention to detail, perhaps, or the fact that the characters /know/ they have an acute attention to detail -- astounds me. It was not uncommon for me to find myself blinking away tears because of just how beautiful the writing in this book is.

It's cute how kids' books have the suggested age on the back of the book. "8-12" this one says in the lower-right corner. It should be "8-everyone," honestly, because it's just an incredible book that transcends age. This book reminds me to PAY ATTENTION. The world is amazing, you just have to look at it.

Favorite quote: "Boredom is what happens to people who have no control over their minds."

"Liar and Spy" by Rebecca Stead (Wendy Lamb 2012) has my vote as the next Newbery winner, the highest honor given to a middle grade book. We'll know what the committee decides tomorrow, January 21. I haven't read EVERYTHING this year, so I might have missed something, but this is a great novel, as are all of Rebecca Stead's three novels.
Georges is a seventh grader, a city kid, named after the post-impressionistic artist Georges Seurat who painted A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte in millions of colored dots. That `s' at the end of Georges is enough for class bullies to call him Gorgeous, bump him in the cafeteria, and tease him mercilessly. His mother has often told him that these small incidents are each like one small dot in the Seurat painting. They don't much matter. The big picture is made up of millions of tiny dots of color. Stand back so you can see the complete picture. In a few years everything will change.
His dad says, the individual dot--what's happening now--is important. The reader knows that both viewpoints are true--the one dot (or point) and the larger picture they create are both important. Pointillism.
Georges' upstairs neighbor, Safer, who is homeschooled, introduces Georges to his Spy Club. Georges wonders at the boredom of having to endlessly observe (spy on) the image projected from the foyer webcam, watching for Mr. X to enter the building. Safer says, "Boredom is what happens to people who have no control over their minds." Safer, besides having an odd name, seems wise and mysterious.
Moral issues are addressed in a real way. When Georges visits the candy store, he says, "I debate the morality of eating a Starburst before the pack is paid for and decide not to." That's small but the issues become much larger. What about the moral ground of `breaking and entering' a stranger's apartment?
Candy, Safer's little sister, another wonderfully odd character, named after her dearest love, also homeschooled, always answers their apartment door wearing pink pig slippers, but everything else changes radically--overalls, flowery dress--sometimes changing every fifteen minutes.
Apart from some hilarious scenes, the feel of the story is slightly dark, but it's the dark inside a New York City apartment building. And in the end, with a twist that knocked me off the chair, in its way, brings a flashflood of light.

Patricia Hruby Powell is a nationally touring speaker, dancer, storyteller, occasional librarian, and children's book author. See images and links at [...]

Georges is named after Georges Seurat, a famous French Post-Impressionist painter. Georges (the painter) was famous for using the pointillism technique; whereby small, distinct dots of pure colour are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges (the boy) can apply the pointillism technique to his life, the way his mum taught him. He thinks of the small dot that was his best friend, Jason, who no longer hangs out with him, and has become friends with the bullies who call him `Gorgeous' (thanks to that silent `s' in his name). He thinks of the small dot that is his dad losing his architecture job, and them having to move out of their perfect house into a small Brooklyn apartment. He thinks his mum's longer work shifts at the hospital are one small dot. He thinks of the small dot that is the upcoming taste-test in Mr. Landau's class, which may or may not decide his destiny. And all of these small dots, when Georges connects them, make up the big picture of his life and represent how insignificant the tough stuff can seem in the grand scheme of things . . .

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Mom says that our Seurat poster reminds her to look at the big picture. Like when it hurts to think about selling the house, she tells herself how that bad feeling is just one dot in the giant Seurat painting of our lives.
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And then Georges meets Safer, who becomes a very big dot in the grand scheme of George's new life. . .

Safer is the dog-walker and resident spy of the apartment complex Georges and his family have just moved into. Safer's sister is Candy who is aptly named for her sweet tooth. Safer's parents are `smart bohemians' who home-school their children and let them express themselves in odd ways. Safer expresses himself by being a spy, and his latest mission (obsession) is the mysterious black-clad tenant of their apartment complex. And Safer wants Georges's help in his latest spy-club mission.

`Liar & Spy' is the new novel from Newbery Medal winning author Rebecca Stead.

Confession: I think I have a bit of a telekinetic bond with Rebecca Stead. I don't want to sound crazy, but it's true. Because after reading Stead's brilliant `When You Reach Me' earlier this year, I likened the book to a Seurat painting - whereby all the dots of characters and plots seemed indecipherable and disconnected for much of the book, until the ending made you step back and admire "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte". After my review went live, Rebecca Stead even Tweeted to me the coincidence that Seurat would be mentioned in her next book. Hence, my totally legitimate telekinetic bond with Rebecca Stead. See? Not crazy.

But there's a lot more to `Liar & Spy' than just this wonderful Seurat (`Sir Ott', to Georges) analogy. This is a book about a young boy living day-to-day; trying to get through the school week with minimal collateral damage from the bullies who tease him and the ex-best friend who doesn't seem to want him anymore. Actually, a lot of Georges's life is spent just grinning and bearing it - getting from Point A to Point B with the least amount of fallout. And his mum's Seurat dot analogy about the grand scheme of things is fine, but Georges seems to spend a good deal of his time focusing on the BIG PICTURE while wading through the misery of all those little dots.

And then Georges meets Safer. Safer is a brilliant and cunning young man who Georges swings between being impressed and distressed by. Because his dad's idea of a joke is signing him up for a Spy Club Meeting, Georges gets pulled into Safer's latest mission involving the tenant who lives in the apartment below him, who never seems to be home, always carries a briefcase with indeterminate contents and is frequently seen wearing black. And suddenly Georges can't just look at the big picture, because Safer is teaching him that to be a spy you have to look at the minute details and pay attention to all the dots and how they connect.

I loved `Liar & Spy'. What Stead does so well is explore seemingly minor occurrences in a young person's life - but gives them the weight they deserve. And usually, it's those small instances that make a much bigger impact. For Miranda in `When You Reach Me' it was coming to terms with the sudden loss of her friendship with Sal, for some unknown reason he does not care to explain to her. For Georges, it's his dad losing his job and his family having to move from their perfect house his dad designed, to a small Brooklyn apartment and his mum working late all the time and sounding forever tired on the phone. I think this is what grabs her young readers; these small problems they can relate to (and find an author who gives them the importance and exploration they deserve), but I also think this is where her older readers can vividly remember and be transported to their youth.

I also enjoy how Stead so perfectly articulates little everyday things, but it's not until I read them that I realize I've experienced them too. Example?:

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I'm hearing a sound. It's a funny, high-pitched buzzing that I think maybe I've been hearing for a while, without noticing. There should be a word for that, when you hear something and simultaneously realize that it's been swimming around in your brain for five minutes without your permission.
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I will say that `When You Reach Me' is still my favourite Stead book, purely because the aforementioned bigger picture was so epic and brilliantly woven throughout that book. The big reveal at the end of `Liar & Spy' was not so grandiose. Whereas my reaction to all the dots forming at the end of `When You Reach Me' was OMIGOD, my reaction at the end of `Liar & Spy' was more "Oh. Huh." But that's not to say I didn't immensely enjoy everything that came before the somewhat ho-hum ending. Rebecca Stead is still, without a doubt, one of the best children's authors writing today.

It was a very strange book about some very strange characters that got stranger the farther I read.

The main character is Georges who has just been downgraded in his lifestyle and moved to a new apartment. Georges soon meets his neighbor, Safer. Safer, the result of hippy parents and a lax home schooled life who has named himself, is a boy his same age but miles ahead in weirdness. Safer has a spy club of one and pressures Georges to join him. While Georges really wants to have Safer as a friend, he has some serious reservations about him--Safer's secrecy and mysteriousness border on the obsessive; he has no problem committing crimes and encouraging Georges to commit them in spite of (and, apparently, without considering) the consequences and risk of personal harm; he is rather cruel to his family members; he's a pathological liar and he only hangs out with Georges when he wants something. Why Georges wants to be friends with him at all is a bit murky.

It was an okay book but it never really got any better than that for me. I have never read any of Stead's other books so I'm not sure what to expect from this author. I did really like the two mysteries in the book. I didn't even know something subversive was going on and then--BOOM! Two surprises that made me want to reread the book and look for clues. It has won several awards.

Rebecca Stead is the queen of quirky characters. Her pre-teen protagonists capture perfectly the mixed up combination of curiousity, confidence, anxiety, and self-absorption that make children of this age so fascinating. In her writing she is able to mimic the seemingly endless process of confusion and discovery, assumptions and revelations, which are typical of children as they discover the adult world, make assumptions about it, discover they are wrong, and then find revelation in new experiences.

I love the "oddness" of her characters, their weakness and foibles. They are realistic and amusing. They are instantly "recognizable" in our own children and their friends. As the same time, Stead is able to command the enlarging scope of knowledge which occurs at this age. The themes of Pointillist painting, parental imperfection, and 18th century spelling reform are all mixed together with insightful fortune cookies, and sibling conflict. Even the minor characters have substance and personality.

Unlike some reviewers, I like the pacing of this story. The incremental details of the developing friendship between Georges and Safer help to understand the nature of their bond, and the feelings of betrayal later in the book. There is a lot of New York specific stuff in this book, similar to her earlier classic "When You Reach Me" but I think children like to learn about how other kids live. The scenes which take place in school are funny, horrible, and true.

I think the leap of imagination (a better term than "surprise ending") is well constructed, and while stretching our disbelief to the breaking point, is plausible and satisfying.

I have a blue dot on my hand, and will never feel alone.

Another winner from Newberry Medal Author Rebecca Stead!

LIAR & SPY brings readers back to New York City to meet Georges (the "s" is silent) and his family. His parents are suffering in much the same way as the rest of the country at the moment - his father lost his job and they are struggling financially. They had to move out of their house to an apartment building full of interesting characters.

Through an odd misunderstanding George becomes friends with Safer, a boy in his new apartment building, and Safer's sister, Candy. Their parents are a bit eccentric, and the children are a product of their nontraditional upbringing.

Safer is the spy of the building, Candy is his sidekick and Georges is his new recruit. They have special ways on monitoring the comings and goings of the other tenants, but Safer is most especially interested in the mysterious Mr. X who lives in the apartment upstairs.

The spying and risky behavior asked of Georges begins to make him feel uneasy, and just when he decides to confront Safer, he learns that things are not always what they seem, and Rebecca Stead gives readers her signature twist like no one else can.

An amazing book by one of the most talented Middle Grade authors of our time, Liar & Spy will appeal to readers across many ages, boys and girls alike.

Stead is a gorgeous writer. That said, this novel is right in the zone for 6th/7th grade boy (and girl) readers, and will captivate them to the very end. Twists, turns, humor, and a subtle but deep reveal about two of the main characters all add up to a satisfying experience. I couldn't put it down; now it goes to my son.

As realistic fiction goes, this book is truly "in the moment". While the book explores issues such as losing your home, bullying, lost friendships, it does so in a positive manner giving hope to these situations. The characters are unique and right on target for Middle School. The main character, Georges (silent s)is believable as a seventh grade boy, albeit a rather mature young man. He's a good role model for all of us who have been teased about our names and left out of the loop at lunch. His new friend Safer and his family, are the slightly off-centered neighbors he needs in his life right now.
While LIAR & SPY is a great story with, believe it or not, a satisfying ending, it also has many layers and lots of room for contemplation. I was surprised, I admit it, on one of the revelations and suspected the other one.
As a teacher, I think it checks all the boxes for Middle Grade fiction, as an avid reader, I'm recommending it to everyone, student and adult!

Background: Georges (silent S) has recently had to move out of his home and into an apartment in the city, he still goes to the same school with the same bully kids, but he is about to make a very strange friend, Safer. Safer and The Spy Club come into Georges life as her arrives at his new home and the adventures to come are both fun and scary, especially when Safer starts to ask him to do serious spy things.

Review: This was an adorable read. I really enjoyed the way Georges leads the reader into his life and his experiences. Stead did a wonderful job keeping the reader guessing, and it is for 9-12 year-olds, and I am a lot older than that and was enthralled the whole way through. The character building is wonderful, the plot is interesting and there were enough twists to keep anyone glued to the story.

I highly recommend this for adults and middle grade readers alike. I was a beautiful tale about friendship, coping, and progressive ways to deal with bullying.

Plot

Georges' life isn't going so well. Middle school is a gauntlet of awkward relationships and bully-avoidance strategies. He has been forced to move from his beloved home to an apartment building because his father lost his job. His mother, a nurse, is at the hospital all the time, pulling double shifts to make up the income gap. Georges only communicates with her via Scrabble tile messages (he leaves one before going to bed, and receives her reply when he wakes up). It's like an ouija board for absentee parents, and the image perfectly encapsulates Geroges's disconnect from the world.

So when the confused and friendless Georges finally meets Safer, the strange, smart, coffee-quaffing kid in the building, he's willing to be pulled into Safer's orbit. But Safer's' idea of entertainment--spying on a mysterious neighbor in the building--soon grows into something more dangerous, and Georges must decide how far he's willing to go as Safer's friend.

Style

There's a sense of timelessness about Liar and Spy. It could as easily be set in the 1970's as today, and the core of it will still be relevant when we finally get rocket packs. The setting is Brooklyn, but the real setting is the tiny sphere that is Georges' world: school, home, and the well-trodden pathways in between. This world is small, as any middle schooler's would be. But the world of this apartment building is small in a way that is deliberately claustrophobic and subtly threatening. The boys meet in basement rooms and darkened hallways. The intercom camera in the lobby sees all. Safer walks the dogs in a oubliette-like courtyard. It's noir for the backpack set.

In Stead's writing, there is no superfluity. Every detail has purpose. Everything matters. When Stead doesn't tell you something about a character, her omission is as telling as...well, telling would be. Even my very brief re-read highlighted a number of details that (in true Keyser Soze style) meant so much more the second time around, clues only obvious in retrospect. The story also has its moments of creepiness (particularly when Safer is involved). These passages are deliciously disturbing, just off-kilter enough to remind us not to get too comfy. Stead is playing a game as much as she's telling a story.

Liar and Spy is a mystery, or more accurately a set of nested box mysteries, each linked to the other. When the revelations start coming, the result is a satisfying and elegant conclusion that feels earned. Georges makes decisions leading to real change in his life, but there's no false heartiness or any implication that all his problems are solved. Stead avoids easy answers, instead offering a challenge to George and to the reader.

As a person, Georges is very normal boy. He has no wild talents, nor strange afflictions. His normalcy is what makes him so believable. The advent of middle school had landed him with the less popular kids. He deals with the teasing of two bullies with a stoicism that is probably far more common than any parent would want to admit. And his inward musings on Georges Seurat, tastebuds and destiny, Chinese food, and middle school politics feel so spot-on, like Stead extracted some kid's brain and got the essence of his insecurities nicely laid out on microscope slides for us to see.

The Takeaway

Stead is a fan-freaking-tastic writer (she has, in fancy-pants language, mastered her craft). The elegance of the writing, combined with the difficult problems that Stead throws at her characters and her ability to resolve those issue without solving them for her characters, results in a book that can be read, reread, and recommended for years to come. And isn't that what we all dream of?

(When I really like a novel, I tend to swear a lot. Be assured that if this weren't for younger readers, my review would be decidedly NSFW. The book was that good!)

Georges' family has to move from his Brooklyn home to a nearby apartment, where he meets Safer, a kid his age who runs a Spy Club and is sure that Mr. X, who lives above Georges, is murdering people in his apartment and taking them out of the building in suitcases. Over the span of a few weeks, Georges learns a lot about friends, bullies, spies, and family. Both Safer's family and his own have their own secrets, and Georges has to redefine reality and friendship by the end of the book. I read this on my Kindle and started it one night and finished it the next. The suspense was not heart-pounding or scary, but I really, really wanted to know what was going to happen. (I knew from an article I read that things were not what they seemed, and that knowledge probably fueled my curiosity.) This was an engrossing read with main characters I really liked.

Rebecca Stead is an excellent writer, no question there. The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is because it took a little while to get going, and also because of the underlying tone of melancholy (I'm a fan of "happy books"). There was just this subtle feeling of sadness bordering, at times, almost on threat -- I was already so sad for the lonely and depressed Georges and I worried that something even worse was about to happen. In the end the reason for the feeling was made clear and explained, which helped relieve the tension, but I would have rather not had my character (who I liked very much) feel so lost, sad, and lonely through so much of it. All that said, it's still a quite good book and I do still recommend it.

Award Winning Author, Rebecca Stead, masterfully writes a first-person narrative that combines the realistic fiction and mystery genres for intermediate readers. Stead creates the perfect level of tension as she deftly creates and answers realistic questions. Although the protagonist is an intelligent, awkward boy that deals with bullying, this book invites deeper responses than Diary of a Wimpy Kid or similar books. Reoccurring content themes, memorable characters, discussion about English phonetic system, scrabble tiles, and surprises increased my aesthetic response to this text. My favorite component of the book was "Sir Ott." Named after the famed artist, Georges references the Seurat poster that hangs in their living room as he learns that it's not only the big picture that matters; the dots matter too because "life is really just a bunch of nows, one after the other" (p. 149).

I loved Stead's Newbery-award winning When You Reach Me, and so I looked forward to reading this one, the next one. It didn't disappoint. I was hooked by her descriptive writing in the very first chapter. My 3rd grade son also gave it his seal of approval.

I liked the characters a lot, as well as the plot of an amateur spy operation. But what made it really stand out was the growth of the characters and the surprise twist at the end. And of course, there were some "issues," with money troubles, moving, and a mother's absence.

This book feels very much like 'When You Reach Me,' Rebecca Stead's previous novel. The story set-up is rich; you know who Georges is by the first ten pages and he acts, and grows, in a way that fits his character. As in 'When You Reach Me,' the story flows between the Georges' social life out of school and his struggles in the school, weaving them tighter and tighter as they go.

I agree with each reviewer who has said the book lulls in the middle - it has scenes that are just about the characters being together. In a big way, that is what the book is about. I wouldn't make a kid read this book; I would, however, constantly argue for it and have it available. This is one of those books that can be wonderfully personal and I was surprised by the way it turned a number of intimidating plot points into a happy ending that felt completely right.

I'm blabbering too much and making this unreadable - not everyone will like this book, but it is one of those that story-lovers of all ages might be moved by. There is always room for another story like that.

Stumbled on this book while downloading audiobooks for a family road trip, and so glad I did. The book captivated me, my husband and 9-year-old daughter from start to finish. Each time we got out of the car, we had something to talk about - speculating about a character's motivation, guessing about what would come next, and making references to the book as we were reminded of it during our vacation activities. The characters were distinctive and had memorable quirks (a fixation on Benjamin Franklin's spelling reform movement, a passion for a variety of Sweet Tarts available at only one newsstand on one New York City subway platform). The main character (Georges) was smart and likeable, but most of the book's other characters were more memorable. Some of the most important revelations about Georges spill out a bit too quickly at the end, but this is a minor limitation in an otherwise very strong book. I will definitely look for more audiobooks by Rebecca Stead. (A coda from my daughter: "It was awesome!")

Stead's novel feels like the shadow of something instead of something. An only child moves to a new apartment, makes a friend, navigates middle school, spies on a neighbor, finds out things may not be what they appear to be, takes it all in stride.

I really liked Stead's Newbery winner, "When You Reach Me". This low key, lightweight narrative was melancholy and dissatisfying.

Oh well.

I admit, like a few other reviewers, I found this book mild at first. I worried it would be *too* mild. But the realistic portrayal of middle school life (friendships, enemies, and betrayals) made the main character completely relatable. I was immediately drawn to his story, which has some outstanding twists at the end. And all the layers of meaning woven throughout shows the skill of a great storyteller. A perfect book for kids who feel like loners, misfits, or just misunderstood.

The theme in this book will always speak volumes to kids (and adults alike). Being scared, bullied, and knowing you’re not alone is an important message for kids. This would be a great read aloud in a fourth grade classroom.

This book just justified my continued enjoyment of middle reader books.

They cover so much territory in such beautiful and simple ways. Liar and spy does just that and I loved it. Georges is a young boy trying to get through school despite bullies and moving and his relationship with his Dad is one I hope I have with my kids. Saved on my shelf to read to my girls as soon as they can pay attention that long.

Liar & Spy is another middle grade or young adult book covering the topics of friendship, school, and family. There are lots of them out there. We have a storyline about bullying, another about family issues, and a third that covers the dynamics of a friendship. This book is unique and has many winning moments. In the end, it was quite enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the review copy of this title.

I won't rehash the plot because I'm sure plenty of other reviewers will do that. What I will say to teachers and parents is this - Liar & Spy is not one of the traumatic, depressing stories being offered to young readers. 95% of this tale is calm and easy-going. Even the bullying scenes are light.

There are also excellent touches of detail. Candy, the knock knock boy, Safer's personality, and mysterious Mr. X - all fun touches that added vibrant color.

I'm slightly worried that young readers won't make it to the last 40% of this story. The ending is the best part. There are definite lulls in the storytelling. The concepts and messages are so subtle that they may be missed by some readers. Also the lingo and maturity of Georges' voice seemed a bit old. I found him to have a very experienced and wise personality. It seemed ill-fitting for a kid in middle school.

Why the four stars? In the end, Liar and Spy has a lot going for it. Once you read it through, you will finish with a couple ahh haa moments. It's touching, it covers serious subjects without being a cover-to-cover bummer, and in the end, leaves the reader feeling good. I just hope young readers don't give up before reaching that point.

Web resources give this title a Lexile Measurement of 670L.

A blogger I follow recommended this book. My 13 year old son and I listened to the audio book in the car (great reader which is not always the case, highly recommend it as an audio) and it was fabulous. It is not only a really good story but also laugh-out-loud funny.

Enjoyed authors style as it is relatable to youth by context and won't bore adults as a result of it's well written form. There are life lessons and hope in this work.
I would recommend this book to young people and especially teachers who have better influence on youth than I currently do (until I become one myself ;) )

Having enjoyed the audio version of Rebecca Stead's two previously published books with my kids, I looked forward to doing same with her latest, Liar and Spy. As we made our way through When You Reach Me and First Light, we'd get into the car and my tween and teen bookworms would immediately ask me to play the audio. Not so with this one. In, fact, both lost interest about halfway through and I ended up listening to the last part alone. Although I found the book interesting, two members of the author's target audience did not.

The story, the shortest of Ms. Stead's three, is about a 7th grader named Georges. He and his out-of-work (architect) father and (nurse) mother are forced to move from their house in Brooklyn to a nearby apartment after his dad loses his job. There Georges meets a 12-year-old boy named Safer who he befriends because of their common interest in spying. Georges is glad to have someone to hang out with because things have cooled between him and former best friend. Adding to his worries, a bully has chosen Georges as his favorite target. The story follows: Georges and Safer on their spying adventures (which mostly involve video surveillance of "Mr. X"), happenings at school, Scrabble note exchanges between mother and son, and what seems like an excessive amount of father and son dining out dates, considering the family's financial situation. By the end of the book, Georges has found out something about Safer that he doesn't much like, but something else (the back story) that make things more palatable. As expected (in a story about a boy being bullied), Georges and his school friends band together in a show of force against conformity. In summary, Liar and Spy is an adequate but ordinary story that lost both of my bookworms' interest. Better: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, The Giver by Lois Lowery and Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which dealt with many issues kids are going through these days, with humor and grace. I would recommend this book to anyone. Thanks to Adam Gidwitz for recommending it!