Title: The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie

Written by: Radhika Sanghani

Illustrated by: Saskia Bueno

Published by: Usborne

Another gripping holiday read with a superb cast of diverse, well-rounded characters each with their own flaws and quirks. Priya is given a bangle by her grandmother before she dies. The bangle is a family heirloom but the catch is broken so it won’t unlock.

Things are not going well for Priya. It is the year anniversary of grandmother’s death and Priya misses her. On top of this, her parents keep arguing and Priya feels they are harder on her than her ADHD sister, she is being bullied at school and she is stressed about her gymnastics and qualifying for the Olympics. Her and her friends are also racially persecuted by adults on their way home from school. As she doesn’t want to disappoint anyone, she pretends to her friends and  family everything is perfect but really she feels totally alone.

One night whilst her parents are yelling at each other she cries clutching the bangle. To her surprise it opens so she slips it on. From this moment on she discovers she is unable to continue telling her little white lies to keep everyone happy. The harder she tries not to blurt out the truth, the harder it becomes.

I liked the way The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie emphasises how all families no matter what race have their own secrets. This book also highlights how beliefs can be passed on through generations. I also liked the subtle message on racism showing even if parents are bigoted it doesn’t mean their children have to be. People no matter their age, can make up their own minds and opinions, breaking this detrimental cycle.

A great middle grade book suitable for 9+ readers. A fun and hilarious read. I can imagine this book as a series on the television.  

You can buy copies of The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie by Radhika Sanghani from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org which supports local, independent bookshops.

Read my interview with the author, Radhika Sanghani here: Blog Tour: The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie by Radhika Sanghani.