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The Whole Truth

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 118 ratings · 19 reviews

Newly orphaned Polly and Maud travel by train from Winnipeg to British Columbia to live with relatives on an island situated between Vancouver and Victoria. Although Polly and Maud have never met them, their new family welcomes them with open arms but the girls have a terrible secret...

Paperback, 262 pages

Published September 28th 2011 by HarperCollins Canada (first published August 16th 2011)

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Aug 30, 2011 Gem rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read2011, kidsbooks, canadiana

The Whole Truth is set on one of the Gulf Islands in B.C. The islands are beautiful – I know this from personal experience! Polly and Maud are sent to live on one of the islands during the Depression when their father is believed to be dead by suicide. This novel contains a lot of familiar elements from Pearson’s other novels: boarding school, a strong grandmother, loyal friends, and a great Canadian environment. Yet, stories like this rarely feel recycled if they’re written well. There’s just s...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Meaghan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: canadian, children-s, depression-era

Polly Brown and her older sister Maud are sent to live with their grandmother on Kingfisher Island, off the coast of British Columbia, after their father dies under mysterious circumstances. The two girls adapt to their new life, but the secret of what really happened to their father always lingers just beneath the surface. Set during the Great Depression, The Whole Truth is Polly's story from the time she comes to live with her grandmother at age 9 until she's almost 13 and getting ready to go...more Polly Brown and her older sister Maud are sent to live with their grandmother on Kingfisher Island, off the coast of British Columbia, after their father dies under mysterious circumstances. The two girls adapt to their new life, but the secret of what really happened to their father always lingers just beneath the surface. Set during the Great Depression, The Whole Truth is Polly's story from the time she comes to live with her grandmother at age 9 until she's almost 13 and getting ready to go away to boarding school in Victoria.

Kit Pearson was one of my absolute favourite writers when I was a child so I'm always happy to find a new book by her. The cover blurb on The Whole Truth says "Pearson's gift is to always write straight from the well of childhood feeling," and it's true: she has a knack for conveying a child's thought processes and the ways in which children perceive the world. I thought this came across particularly well in her last book, A Perfect Gentle Knight, which is outstanding. The Whole Truth doesn't quite match up to it, but it is still a great read and Polly is a believable, relatable protagonist. She struggles to understand the behaviour of the older characters around her, including her grandmother, who is very kind to her but possibly prejudiced towards others, and the rather confounding Maud, who becomes a religious zealot after going to boarding school. At the same time, she's trying to find her own identity: she goes through fairly normal things like nervousness about boys and flirting with vegetarianism all while dealing with the intense secrets of her family history and trying to discover where she fits in with her new family on the island.

The main theme of the book is this understanding of self and of others; the story is told in a somewhat episodic style that allows Pearson to illustrate this theme through Polly's experiences with several characters and incidents. This isn't a book where everything ties together neatly at the end. It's a chronicle of life on one small island seen through the eyes of one young girl. The idyllic and beautifully-drawn island setting should bring back memories of childhood summer days spent adventuring outdoors with friends and family. But the stress Polly suffers having to keep her family's deep, dark secret is always there, intruding on her happy new life. In a way, it's like Pearson is telling two separate stories that don't quite mesh, somehow. Polly's past with her father is certainly the main focus of the novel, but the balance between that aspect of her life and her new life feels slightly off, particularly in the novel's resolution, which is almost anticlimactic. If Goodreads allowed half stars, I would give this 3.5.(less)

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Feb 15, 2013 Anne Patton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Set during the Depression, this book starts when two impoverished sisters are suddenly wrenched away from their familiar life. They are sent to live with a rich grandmother they cannot remember. Polly, a sensitive nine year old, grieves for her missing father and her previous life in Winnipeg. Maud is a forward-looking young lady who embraces her new life at boarding school in Victoria. For three years the sisters conceal dark secrets about their father. Told through Polly's eyes, the tale share...more

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Sep 14, 2012 Joanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: intermediate-books

It is 1932, and Polly is sent to live with her Grandmother in the Gulf Islands after her father fakes his own death and disappears. She slowly adjusts to her new life, making friends, forming family bonds and raising a puppy; this happiness is threatened, however, when her father makes a reappearance.

I enjoyed reading about Polly's day to day life and adventures; Pearson does a good job of writing from the perspective of a pre-teen. However, I found the actual plot to be somewhat weak, and the e...more

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Nov 13, 2011 JennLynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2011-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 27, 2011 Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: post-uni

During the depression, nine-year-old Polly’s life is turned upside down when her father is reported dead. Polly and her fifteen-year-old sister Maud leave Winnipeg to go live with the Grandmother they can’t even remember who lives on an island outside of Victoria. Leaving everything they know behind, the girls move to the small island with the family they don’t even know. While Maud is sent to a girl’s school in Victoria, Polly goes to the local school on the island and adapts to her new life. B...more During the depression, nine-year-old Polly’s life is turned upside down when her father is reported dead. Polly and her fifteen-year-old sister Maud leave Winnipeg to go live with the Grandmother they can’t even remember who lives on an island outside of Victoria. Leaving everything they know behind, the girls move to the small island with the family they don’t even know. While Maud is sent to a girl’s school in Victoria, Polly goes to the local school on the island and adapts to her new life. But Polly’s secrets are becoming difficult to keep, not to mention her family seems to be keeping secrets from her. As Polly grows up on the island, she learns that the truth really can set you free.

I was a really big fan of Kit Pearson when I was younger, so when I saw this book in the bookstore I knew I had to find it at my library. The Whole Truth begins in 1932 during the depression. While Maud and Polly lived in poverty in Winnipeg, their Grandmother is quite well off and the family hunts, fishes and grows their own vegetables so they never have to worry about food. This book is mainly about Polly growing up, dealing with losing someone and struggling with secrets. Polly also learns that the people in her life are neither good nor bad, but often somewhere in-between. While I enjoyed the setting and the themes, this book didn’t live up to my expectations. While there are many children’s books that can be loved by anyone, I’m not sure that this is one of them. I felt like this was written specifically for children Polly’s age and the writing style was too young for my taste. The plot dragged a bit mid way through and sometimes the pacing didn’t feel right. However, I thought the characters were realistic and I liked how the reader was shown the good and bad sides of many of them. I felt a lot of what Polly was feeling, especially her frustrations with Maud and her sadness upon hearing about her Grandmother’s flaws. While it was an interesting story with a beautiful setting, nothing lived up to my memories of how wonderful Kit Pearson’s other books are. This made me want to re-read some of Pearson’s books (specifically The Sky is Falling) to see if they are as good as I remember or if they are more for younger children and won’t be as appealing to me now. If you are interested in Kit Pearson’s books, I’d recommend starting with The Guests of War trilogy and skipping this one for now. However, I think The Whole Truth would be most enjoyed by young girls, especially if they are interested in historical fiction (like I was.)

3/5(less)

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Feb 12, 2012 Vikki VanSickle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: canadian, middle-grade

Canada, 1932. Shy Polly and her bold older sister Maud have been taken in by their estranged Scottish grandmother after the shocking and untimely death of their father. They’ve traveled halfway across the country, from Winnipeg to a remote island off the coast of B.C. to Gran’s house, where there is no indoor plumbing, no electricity, and a whole host of friendly, gregarious strangers and more than a few chickens. When Maud takes off for boarding school less than a week after their arrival, Poll...more Canada, 1932. Shy Polly and her bold older sister Maud have been taken in by their estranged Scottish grandmother after the shocking and untimely death of their father. They’ve traveled halfway across the country, from Winnipeg to a remote island off the coast of B.C. to Gran’s house, where there is no indoor plumbing, no electricity, and a whole host of friendly, gregarious strangers and more than a few chickens. When Maud takes off for boarding school less than a week after their arrival, Polly is not sure she can survive. But within a few months she has a new friend (easy going Biddy), a new hobby (painting), and a new pet (the naughty but lovable Tarka- you can tell Pearson adores dogs by her loving and accurate descriptions of him). But on the edge of all this happiness is the truth that Polly and Maud have sworn to keep secret, the truth regarding their father and his unusual demise.

The missing/dead father plot adds tension and mystery to to the story, but for me it takes a backseat to the wonderful coming of age portrait Pearson has created in this novel. Watching Polly bloom is an absolute pleasure. Pearson manages to bring her young protagonist out of her shell without straying from the bones of her character. I enjoyed Polly’s struggle with meat-eating, given her tender hearted feelings towards animals. Her relationship with the headstrong and fiercely opinionated Maud is aptly complicated and gives Pearson a stage to explore Polly’s growing autonomy. I love how Pearson surrounds Polly with a cast of warm and loving characters that are far from perfect, but provide the support that Polly was previously missing in her life.

Pearson’s gifts as a writer are innumerable, but what makes her books classic is her uncanny ability to understand and empathize with the adolescent mind. She taps directly into the core of childhood and addresses all of the fears, anxieties, and joy of that narrow slice of time between the ages of 9-12. She is one of my writing mentors, a gifted wordsmith who has perfected the art of the middle grade novel***. Her books always feel timeless, regardless of the era they are set in, which just proves that great writing never goes out of style.(less)

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Oct 25, 2011 B rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: grade-6, grade-5, grades-5-6, j-historical, j-family, j-canadian, ya-history

During the Depression, two girls are sent to their grandmother's in B.C. after their father commits suicide. Maud, 15, will go to boarding school in Victoria, while Polly,10, will live with their grandmother and attend the island school.

Polly and Maud have a secret, and they have promised each other never to tell anyone. Slowly the secret starts to unfold.

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Oct 10, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-book-reviews

A careful, charming observance of two young children dealing with the loss of their father, and the weight of secrets. Bringing reality and respect to the feelings of a child, the author teaches us that time does heal, but honesty and forgiveness of others and of yourself will ultimately bring peace. Written for the pre-teen audience, but a lesson for any age.

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Dec 21, 2011 Sarah Mackey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

Kit Pearson writes such likeable, relateable, believable characters. This isn't up there with the all-time Kit Pearson greats (The Daring Game and the Guests of War trilogy are in my top 10 kids books of all time), but it is a solid story and a beautifully drawn setting.

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Sep 25, 2011 Laurie marked it as to-read

I wonder if this will be published in the U.S.? Must remember for next trip to Vancouver Kidsbooks.

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertain...

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Dec 28, 2012 Lindsay Nichols rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: canadians, ebooks, families

I liked the set-up and the slow build. I wasn't, however, impressed with the third act. A bit disappointing after what had already happened.

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Mar 19, 2013 Lahni rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love Kit Pearson. I remember reading The Daring Game over and over when I was younger. This book was just so sweet and easy to read.

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Feb 10, 2012 Nicole rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved the setting of the Island, and all Polly's little adventures as she grows up there, but I thought Daddy coming back kinda ruined it, and the resolution of the book dissapointed me.

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Sep 26, 2011 Leah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not as good as previous books by Kit Pearson. It seemed to drag in places then suddenly pick up speed and activity.

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Aug 27, 2012 Girl Guides of Canada added it

We reviewed and recommended this book for our girls in Brownies and Guides, ages 7-11.

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Jan 27, 2013 Julia Kent rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-challenge

Pretty good for a children's novel! I love Kit Pearson so much. Not as interesting as A Handmaid's Tale, The Daring Game of the Guests of War Trilogy, but close! Definitely worth the read.

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Apr 15, 2013 Gillian marked it as to-read Recommends it for: Middle School and up who like historical fiction

Shelves: young-people-historical-fiction

2012 Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People Finalist

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Apr 02, 2013 CLM rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: canada, childrensbooks, 20th-century, orphans, historicalfiction, sisters, family-story

A gifted but unappreciated author...

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May 20, 2013 Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

May 17, 2013 Vicki marked it as to-read

May 14, 2013 Gillian rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 11, 2013 Kylie added it

May 11, 2013 Little My marked it as to-read

May 09, 2013 Daniela marked it as to-read

Apr 28, 2013 Erin Spring marked it as to-read

Apr 27, 2013 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 25, 2013 Jen marked it as to-read

Apr 18, 2013 Alexandra Adams marked it as to-read

Apr 17, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

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About Kit Pearson

Kit Pearson spent her childhood between that city and Vancouver, British Columbia. As a high-school student, she returned to Vancouver to be educated at Crofton House School. She obtained a degree in English Literature at the University of Alberta, and spent several years following the degree doing odd jobs or travelling in Europe.
In 1975, she began her Library degree at the University of British...more

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Books by Kit Pearson

The Sky Is Falling (The Guests of War Trilogy, #1)

Looking At The Moon (The Guests of War Trilogy, #2)

The Lights Go On Again (The Guests of War Trilogy, #3)

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