Review: Mostly the Honest Truth

Mostly the Honest Truth by Jody J. Little
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jane isn't thrilled when Officer D, her foster mom for the next 12 days, brings her to Three Boulders. There isn't anywhere for her to longboard; no one has a TV, but the worst part is she can't see her Pop. Pop has gotten himself another twelve day stint in rehab. He's an alcoholic, and the last time Jane was with him, she suffered a severe burn to her hand. It's not really clear if Pop did something to cause Jane's injury; the adults around Jane seem to believe there was some foul play, but Jane is adamant that Pop loves her and would never hurt her.

As Jane's next twelve days unfold in the rural community of Three Boulders, Jane befriends Gertie (or G as Jane likes to call her). Gertie is straight-laced and knows everybody's business because she is the town recorder. She keeps detailed journals of their softball games, garden produce, and everyday life. G feels like something big is going on because people keep leaving the community. Jane helps her uncover the truth, while Gertie helps Jane survive the next twelve days without her father.

This book takes an honest look at what it is like to be the child of an alcoholic. Jane often has to fend for herself, but she knows that her dad is her "matching sock," and she doesn't want to be without him. Jane is willing to do just about anything to be with her father again, until she realizes that being with him might not be most healthy for her. This book will tug at your heart strings.

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