Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies explained

Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies is a middle grade novel by Jill Wolfson. It was first published in 2006 by Henry Holt and Company Publishers.^[1] It is about a young girl in foster care.

Plot introduction

Whitney has been in so many foster homes that she can give a complete rundown on the most common varieties of foster parents—from the look-on-the-bright-side types to those unfortunate examples of pure evil. But one thing she doesn’t know much about is trees. This means heading for Foster Home #12 (which is all the way at the top of the map of California, where there looks to be nothing but trees) has Whitney feeling a little nervous. She is pretty sure that the middle of nowhere is going to be just one more place where a hyper, loud-mouthed kid who is messy and small for her age won’t be welcome for long.

Reviews

"There is no preaching here, just honest to goodness situational humor perfect for starting a discussion on environmental topics. It might just encourage youth to find ways to stand out while fitting in." —Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) ^[2]

"A sweet, spirited tale told with warmth and humor about a determined misfit who finds a home at last in a family and a community." —Kirkus ^[3]

"I would highly recommend this book to anyone who knows someone who is a foster child, someone who loves nature like me or anyone who likes a story about love (in this case love for family and nature)" —Student review, Stone Soup Magazine^[4]

"The protagonist's spunky voice will engage readers. Fans of Patricia Reilly Giff's Pictures of Hollis Woods will appreciate Whitney's independence and plucky spirit." —School Library Journal ^[5]

Awards and nominations

• IRA (International Reading Association) Children's Book Award Notable Book ^[6]
• Green Earth Book Award Honor Book, Newton Marasco Foundation ^[7]
• Santa Monica Library Green Award ^[8]
• Pennsylvania School Librarian Association, Young Reader’s Choice nominee ^[9]

Reception

• Texas Lone Star Reading List Selection ^[10]
• Kansas State Reading Circle ^[11]
• New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing ^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Home . henryholtkids.com.
2. Web site: Archived copy . 2020-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080511200627/http://www.voya.org/ . 2008-05-11 . dead .
3. Web site: Home . kirkusreviews.com.
4. Web site: Home . stonesoup.com.
5. Web site: Home . schoollibraryjournal.com.
6. Web site: International Reading Association home page . 2010-07-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100630231707/http://www.reading.org/General/Default.aspx . 2010-06-30 .
7. Web site: Newton Marasco Foundation . 2009-03-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080922105403/http://www.newtonmarascofoundation.org/programs/a_ge.cfm . 2008-09-22 . dead .
8. Web site: Santa Monica Public Library - Branch Locations . 2009-03-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090309080935/http://smpl.org/greenprize.htm . 2009-03-09 . dead .
9. Web site: PSLA, the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association . 2009-03-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090302065050/http://www.psla.org/association/committee/mediaselectionandreview/pyrcamenu.php4 . 2009-03-02 . dead .
10. Web site: YART.
11. Web site: KNEA Reading Circle Catalog . 2009-03-01 . 2009-03-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090327203626/http://www.knea.org/resources/rc-catalog/archive.html . dead .
12. Web site: Kids. 8 June 2016.