THE TRUTH OF ME

Patricia MacLachlan returns with another compelling contemporary story about a child, his grandparent, a special dog, and how our “small truths” make each of us magical in our own ways.

When Robbie and his dog Ellie spend the summer at his grandmother Maddy’s house, Robbie revels in his grandmother’s easy, relaxed ways, such as eating donuts for dinner. Robbie realizes that there is something missing in his everyday life with his parents, but he does not know what it is. Maddy makes Robbie’s parents nervous, which is one of the reasons Robbie likes Maddie. He likes her stories, and the way wild animals come right up to her, without any fear. Maddie helps Robbie to understand “the truth of me.” The truth has to do with something that happened to his mother a long time ago. And it helps Robbie to realize what he is really missing, and gives him the confidence to make things right. This poignant story from beloved author Patricia MacLachlan celebrates how our unique “small truths” make each of us magical in our own ways. Patricia MacLachlan is the celebrated author of many timeless books for young readers, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. Her novels for young readers include Arthur, For the Very First Time; The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt; Skylark; Caleb’s Story; More Perfect than the Moon; Grandfather’s Dance; and Word After Word After Word. She is also the author of many much-loved picture books, including Three Names; All the Places to Love; What You Know First; Painting the Wind; Bittle; Who Loves Me?; Once I Ate a Pie; I Didn’t Do It; Before You Came; and Cat Talk, several of which she cowrote with her daughter, Emily. She lives with her husband and two border terriers in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.