Truth, Lies and Homework
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Cover Story
This issue's cover is a photograph of Anne Frank whose diary is discussed by Michael Rosen fifty years after its first publication. Following the arrest of the Frank family and their companions, the secret annex in Amsterdam where they had been in hiding was locked up and everybody forbidden to enter it, since Jewish possessions became Nazi property and were carted away. Before this happened, the young woman, Miep Gies, who had provided those in hiding with food and who had a second key to the annex, risked herself once more by entering it. Miep retrieved Anne's diary from the devastation together with the Frank family photograph album.
Thanks to Penguin Children's Books for help in reproducing this cover.
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Send to friendTruth, Lies and Homework
Feeney's first novel. My Family and Other Natural Disasters, was a joy. Shrewd observation and a punchy pace made a hugely memorable impact. Alas Truth, Lies and Homework - despite its intriguing title - falls short of this high-water mark. Claire must interview her grandfather about his activities during the Second World War, for a Living History project set by her teacher. Her questions uncover family secrets and Claire must decide what she feels about her grandfather's exploits and how others are likely to react. Characters are created well but the narrative hangs round a watery central thread: Claire's grandfather's secret is rather mundane and fails to justify the forced drama of the plot. The narrative pace slackens midway but a determined reader will be rewarded by a thoughtful ending.
