My Life with the Liars

My Life with the Liars
by Caela Carter

Grades 6 & up

Realistic Fiction

Tumbling
My Best Friend, Maybe

Book Summary:
Zylynn has been born and raised in a cult, and suddenly, she finds herself living with a man who calls himself her father, along with his wife and children. Zylynn is focused on getting back to her life as fast as she can - she wills herself not to enjoy the softness of the carpet in her new bedroom, or the taste of strawberries at meal time, so that she won't be distracted by the liars who, as she's always been told, will do their best to keep her in darkness. As the story progresses, Zylynn's questions begin to spill out, even though she does her best to keep them locked inside. She has to make some choices about what she believes, who she can trust, and what kind of person she wants to be.

Book Review:
This is a compelling story. I don't have enough background knowledge to speak to how realistically it depicts a cult mentality, if there is such a thing as a typical experience with that, but it's written in such a way as to draw the reader in to the doubts and distrust that Zylynn carries about suburban America. One character is a little too perfectly patient, while another is a bit too villainous - but I didn't mind because I found Zylynn's conflict so interesting.