Edie Tells a Lie by Ingrid Laguna

Ten-year-olds, Edie and Bowie, are inseparable - best friends and neighbours. When Bowie and her family move to the country, Edie is bereft. She has lost her companion. The person that knows her best. The person that she can be herself with. Struggling to make new friends becomes a gnawing challenge for Edie and when she and Aleki buddy up, it seems that Edie might have just succeeded. Aleki is from a large, noisy Samoan family and Edie wishes she had more family as it is just her and her mum as Edie’s Polish father has passed away.

In Edie’s desire to be popular and be seen, she tells Aleki a lie. What is seemingly small to start with, grows to be bigger than Edie imagined and has devastating results for her. She loses Aleki’s growing friendship and trust and school becomes a challenge. Unsure of how to make amends, Edie seeks support from her mum. A morning at the market and time spent translating a Polish letter Edie found opens up new possibilities to right the wrongs and learn more about her Polish family. Edie also discovers that Bowie is struggling in her new environment and they are able to reconnect and support each other.

This heartwarming and powerful story for middle grade readers shares the angst of making new friends, the difficulties faced when mistakes are made and the resulting consequences, as well as the sense of relief when things begin to work themselves out. Edie’s vulnerability, her deepest thoughts as well as the journey she is on are sensitively shared with the reader. A highly engaging read.

Themes: Friendship, Polish History & Culture, Samoan Culture, Loneliness, School, Family, Mistakes, Consequences, New Beginnings.

Kathryn Beilby