Book Description
Asked to recount his wartime experiences, the old painter Marcel looks back on a childhood touched by war but almost oblivious to its importance. Living in a small village in Occupied France during the Second World War, the child Marcel and his two older brothers Ren and Pierre are more concerned with their lying games and with their ability to outwit the adults, especially Maman.
But strange things happen. Jewish guests arrive and then disappear. At the same time their beloved dog Mirabeau is mysteriously lost. German soldiers are seen in their village.
René and Marcel are curious and begin to explore a friendship with their favourite German soldier. But can such friendship exist in wartime? Only when an accident occurs are the two youngest let into the great family secret of the war. Then they realise that they are not the only liars in the household! Now lying is serious business involving both children and adults. Only the good liar will survive the war.
About the Author
Gregory Maguire is the awardwinning author of many books for young readers, including Missing Sisters and The Good Liar. He acts as a consultant on creative writing for children and is founder of Children's Literature, New England, Inc.
