Shy, awkward Lucy Harper has always relied on her imaginary friend, Eliza Grey, to comfort her in times of distress.  When her 3-year-old brother disappeared decades ago after sneaking out of the house to follow Lucy on a midnight adventure, Eliza was there to calm her troubled mind.  Instead of fading away as her creator aged, Eliza grew larger than life until Lucy hardly knew where Eliza ended and she began.  When Lucy sold her first mystery novel featuring Eliza as a tough-talking police detective, Eliza became a beloved star.  Four books later, the author is only just beginning to realize how thoroughly Eliza has taken over her life, both professionally and personally.

When Lucy decides to take a break from her pretend friend, penning a new book that does not feature the popular character, it does not go over well—not with her publisher and not with Dan, her unpublished husband who's always been jealous of his wife's success.  When Dan vanishes one night under strange circumstances, the police question Lucy, clearly suspicious.  Lucy's sure—pretty sure—she had nothing to do with his disappearance, but lately, with Eliza taking up all her head space and her memories straying more and more often to her brother, who has never been found, Lucy's not really sure of anything.  Did she hurt her husband?  What really happened when her younger sibling went missing all those years ago?  Lucy's mind has always been a place where fact and fantasy collide.  What is truth and what is not?  What did Lucy do?

Gilly Macmillan is one of my favorite writers of psychological suspense and her newest, To Tell You the Truth, does not disappoint.  Its premise seems a bit far-fetched, but it offers a unique and intriguing setup to a story that's full of didn't-see-that-coming twists.  A creepy, atmospheric vibe runs through the novel, adding another unsettling layer to the narrative.  Lucy is an undeniably odd duck but she still makes for a sympathetic and compelling heroine.  All of these elements in addition to a fast-paced, surprising plot combine to create a riveting, edge-of-your-seat read.  I ripped through this one while sitting at the DMV with my 15-year-old son for three hours and it definitely made the wait more tolerable.  I don't know if To Tell You the Truth is my favorite Macmillan yarn, but it's a thrilling read that I very much enjoyed.

(Readalikes:  Reminds me of other Macmillan novels as well as those by Mindy Mejia, Megan Miranda, and Lisa Jewell)

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Jackson Wade is going into 5th grade.  He's way too old for imaginary friends.  Which is why the re-appearance of a certain giant feline alarms him so much.  Jackson knows he made Crenshaw up when he was seven as a way to deal with the fear and uncertainty he felt while his family was homeless and living in their minivan.  So, why has Crenshaw returned?  Is it because of the strain that's so palpable in the Wade's rented apartment?  Is it because of the unpaid bills, the empty kitchen cabinets, his parents' arguing, his dad's inability to hold a job because of his MS?  Jackson doesn't want to lose his home again.  The worry is driving him crazy—and Crenshaw's presence is not helping.  

Although Jackson thinks he's old enough to hear the truth this time, he's not sure he can handle what his parents will surely tell him.  Should he ignore his fears and find solace in his old pal Crenshaw?  Or is he mature enough to send Crenshaw packing while he handles the situation like an adult?  Or at least not like a scaredy-cat baby?  Either way, it's a terrifying choice for a boy who's shouldering a burden that already feels too heavy to bear.  

Like her beloved The One and Only Ivan, Katherine Applegate's newest middle grade novel, Crenshaw, is a quiet, sneak-up-on-you kind of story.  It's poignant and touching, heartbreaking yet hopeful.  Crenshaw adds some humor to the tale, but overall, this is a sobering book about a little kid dealing with big worries.  That might put some readers off and that's too bad because Crenshaw is an impacting read that will resonate with kids—and adults—as they struggle with real, difficult problems in life.  Although the novel's resolution is realistically imperfect, the story nonetheless ends on a positive, upbeat note that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.  Despite its serious subject, this is another can't-miss-it middle grade tale.

(Readalikes:  Hm, I can't think of anything.  Can you?)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for serious subject matter

To the FTC, with love:  Another library fine find