Notes from a Liar and Her Dog
by Gennifer Choldenko
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Book Summary Information
Author: Gennifer CholdenkoEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-06-23
ISBN: 0142500682
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Puffin
Book Reviews of Notes from a Liar and Her Dog
Book Review: Functioning Among the Dysfunctional
Summary: 5 Stars
Antonia (Ant) MacPherson is coping with a highly disfunctional family. The second of three girls, she is the opposite of her older sister, Elizabeth, 14 and younger sister Kate, 8. Elizabeth looks down on Ant and Kate keeps a notebook of Ant's misdeeds and blackmails Ant out of her allowance. Ant looks nothing like her sisters who are pampered into ultra-indulgence by their mother. I admit I could not stand their mother at all and derived a wicked pleasure that Ant didn't like her either.
At the story's opening, Ant is called into the principal's office after she tells her art teacher she is adopted. Naturally Ant squirms at being called on the carpet, but even more so at having her mother present. I thought it served the mother right when Ant kept insisting she was adopted. I just loved the way Ant interpreted that tired, cliche story of the boy who cried wolf. Her principal told her to relate that story and asked her what lesson the boy learned. Ant's logical response was "Nothing. He's dead." I thought that was an excellent answer. When asked what the boy should have done, Ant said that he was stupid for expecting people to help in the first place and that had she been in his shoes, she would have handled that wolf by herself. Ant's interpretation of this shopworn story was logical and delightfully perceptive.
In fact, Ant does more than handle a wolf by herself. She saves her dog's life by sneaking him to a vet and lying about her address so as to dodge the bills; she, along with her art teacher and best friend Harrison (probably named for George Harrison) spend Saturdays at a local zoo as zookeepers' helpers where she bravely saves her chihuahua mix from becoming lion food.
I didn't like Ant's sisters or parents at all. When Ant's father, an errant insurance salesman who lies about where he has been working praised the oldest and youngest daughters for their ballet, he stumbles offering predictions of Ant's future. When one of the snotty sisters suggests Ant will become a juvenile delinquent, they all laugh at her. I didn't like that.
I loved it when Ant and her friend Harrison switch report cards because she wanted him to get better grades. A bright, artistic boy raised by a loving, widowed father, Harrison and Ant form a strong allegiance that includes their art teacher. When Ant's mother discovers the switch, it was hilarious because naturally she did not expect Ant to earn top grades.
Ant's mother is a real thorn in everybody's collective side. She makes it plain she'd rather attend one of Elizabeth's many dance recitals than Ant's Mathathon wherein Ant won the district trophy; she even tells Ant that she prefers the other girls and closes with "who wouldn't?" No wonder Ant could not abide her. I also didn't like the way Ant's father didn't even try to attend her Mathathon or even realize why it would be important to her to have somebody there regardless of what she said. I loved it when Ant challenged her mother when she told Ant she could not attend the Mathathon by saying that of course she could not be there and that she was "just agreeing" with her. After all, the mother said she had to attend Elizabeth's recital. I also loved the art teacher and thought she handled Ant's mother with grace and charm.
An excellent, tautly written work for all ages, this book will leave readers thinking for a long time. This is an author to watch for - I hope she'll be turning out more books.
Summary of Notes from a Liar and Her Dog
Living in a family with two perfect sisters and parents who just don't get her, Ant MacPherson finds it easier to lie. After all, the only one who appreciates her is her dog, Pistachio. But when a concerned teacher sees the truth behind Ant's lies, it seems as though she might be in for a change . . .
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