The Truth of Me: About a Boy, His Grandmother, and a Very Good Dog - Hardcover

by Patricia MacLachlan (Author)

Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, weaves a poignant story that celebrates how our unique "small truths" make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.

When Robbie spends the summer at his grandmother Maddy's house, he revels in his grandmother's easy, relaxed ways. Robbie has always felt as if something is missing in his life--his parents don't always act like they love him. Maddy helps him understand that an experience his mother had long ago is at the heart of the problem in his family. With this knowledge, Robbie finds the courage to try to make things right.

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book

New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

This gentle, heartfelt novel is a story of finding your voice when you feel unheard.

• A Grandmother and Grandson Story: Robbie discovers a world of love and understanding with his grandmother Maddy, a woman who shares cornbread with bears and teaches him the power of his own "small truths."
• Coming of Age: A quiet, poignant summer story about a boy learning to navigate the difficult emotions that come with feeling lonely in his own family.
• Emotional Healing: When Robbie learns why his musician mother is so distant, he begins a journey to mend the quiet hurt that has shaped their lives.
• Gentle Middle Grade Fiction: A heartfelt book perfect for middle grade readers that explores what it means to be brave and speak your own truth, even to the people you love most.

Front Jacket

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 doughnuts once for dinner. Robbie understands there's something missing in his everyday life with his parents, but he doesn't know what it is.

Maddy makes Robbie's parents nervous, which is one of the reasons Robbie likes Maddy. He likes her stories and the way wild animals come right up to her, without any fear. Maddy helps Robbie find "the truth of me." The truth has to do with something that happened to his mother a long time ago. And it helps Robbie realize what he's 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 and brave in our own ways.

Back Jacket

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 doughnuts once for dinner. Robbie understands there's something missing in his everyday life with his parents, but he doesn't know what it is.

Maddy makes Robbie's parents nervous, which is one of the reasons Robbie likes Maddy. He likes her stories and the way wild animals come right up to her, without any fear. Maddy helps Robbie find "the truth of me." The truth has to do with something that happened to his mother a long time ago. And it helps Robbie realize what he's 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 and brave in our own ways.