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Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Deception
by
Gary Paulsen
Kevin doesn't mean to make trouble when he lies. He's just really good at it, and it makes life so much easier. But as his lies pile up, he finds himself in big—and funny—trouble with his friends, family, and teachers. He's got to find a way toend his lying streak—forever....more
Hardcover, 128 pages
Published
March 8th 2011
by Wendy Lamb Books
(first published March 2011)
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The book begins with Kevin lying his way out of a hard project with Katie Knowles. Kevin can not stand Katie and to think that he had to do a project with her mad him sick, so he lied to her so he could get out of working with her.
Then Kevin run into a Tina and then gets a crush on her. His friend JonPaul saved him from embarrassment. After school Kevin goes home and thinks of a way to get Tina to like him. He decides that he will become the best boy friend ever and become friends with Tina’s...more
Then Kevin run into a Tina and then gets a crush on her. His friend JonPaul saved him from embarrassment. After school Kevin goes home and thinks of a way to get Tina to like him. He decides that he will become the best boy friend ever and become friends with Tina’s...more
Gary Paulsen is perhaps best known for his survival epic Hatchet, but he has a huge body of work for young people–especially boys. Liar, Liar revolves around Kevin. Kevin is a middle school student and a self-admitted liar. He considers himself to be an extremely good liar and he considers lying to be an important and necessary part of navigating life.
Kevin narrates the story, beginning by giving the reader examples of situations where lies are truly the best option. Many of his examples will ri...more
Kevin narrates the story, beginning by giving the reader examples of situations where lies are truly the best option. Many of his examples will ri...more
Wow. Here I was hating on Gary Paulsen (The Island, The Crossing, Dancing Carl-- yick!) when he comes out with THIS, as well as the sequel, Flat Broke, coming out on 7/12/11. Kevin loves to lie, and it makes his life easier until he tells his social studies partner that he can't help with a project because of his illness, "relapsing-remitting inflammobetigoitis". He also manages to get his brother and sister in trouble, lies to a huge number of teachers at school to get out of classes to be clos...more
As I browsed the shelves of the library searching for my free-choice novel, my eyes stopped on a book by Gary Paulsen. I remember reading Hatchet in elementary school and really liking it so I checked out Paulsen’s Liar, Liar. To my surprise I was disappointed by this modern day teen tale. The protagonist of the story is Kevin, an eighth grader with a knack for lying who wreaks havoc on his life by lying too much. I found it to be very predictable and not exciting. Kevin was not a realistic four...more
People who say that honesty is the best policy are lying. At least, that’s what out main character, Kevin is absolutely sure of. Kevin is fourteen-years-old and has an older sister and brother who constantly fight about who’s going to use the car that their Auntie Buzz gave to the three of them to share. Mom is always working at the book store, and Dad is always traveling to a different state doing his job, so things are a bit tense in the house.
Kevin has spent his life lying. He discovered earl...more
Kevin has spent his life lying. He discovered earl...more
Jun 29, 2011
Sarah
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
grades 6-8
Shelves:
children-humor,
audio
14-year-old Kevin has a talent he’s very proud of: telling lies. In fact, he thinks that by lying about everything, he makes his life easier; after all, he tells people what they want to hear and he often gets his way.
Then Kevin begins to push his luck when he goes from telling small lies to telling huge lies, and things start to get a little messy. For example, to get out of doing his share of a school project, he doesn’t just tell his partner that he’s not feeling well—he tells her that he suf...more
Then Kevin begins to push his luck when he goes from telling small lies to telling huge lies, and things start to get a little messy. For example, to get out of doing his share of a school project, he doesn’t just tell his partner that he’s not feeling well—he tells her that he suf...more
After reading this book, I have no idea who I would ever give it to.
Several (reliable?) professional book review publications have reviewed "Liar, Liar" for grades 2 or 3 and up, which makes me think that none of them actually read past the first page. The protagonist is in 8th grade, and you know what? 8th grade boys are experiencing some things that might be little bit much for a 2nd or 3rd grader. I normally tend to be of the mind that reading is one of the healthiest ways for kids to explore...more
Several (reliable?) professional book review publications have reviewed "Liar, Liar" for grades 2 or 3 and up, which makes me think that none of them actually read past the first page. The protagonist is in 8th grade, and you know what? 8th grade boys are experiencing some things that might be little bit much for a 2nd or 3rd grader. I normally tend to be of the mind that reading is one of the healthiest ways for kids to explore...more
Kevin is a compulsive liar, which isn't a very attractive quality in a person. Luckily, he's funny and good-hearted too, so that makes up for a lot. He kind of reminds me of Joey Pigza, or what Joey would be like as an 8th grade boy whose hormones start messing with his judgement. Trouble starts one day when he notices Tina, a girl he has known since kindergarten, has turned into the most beautiful creature on the planet. Until now he has used his lies as sort of an art or recreation, but now he...more
When Kevin uses his 'gift' to get out of a major social studies project with partner Katie Knowles, he 'knows' he is doing the right thing...for everyone. But when his lying gets out-of-hand and he convinces most of his teachers, friends, and family that he needs extra time for all sorts of stuff, his plan backfires and now he must find a way to make amends. The question is, will his friends and family trust him and accept his heart-felt apology.
Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice and Destructive P...more
Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice and Destructive P...more
1. I liked the book "Liar,Liar: The Theory" for many reasons. First, I liked it because it was hilarious in many ways. For example, on page 13 Kevin, the main character had a partner for a project at school and Kevin had lied and said that he had all these sicknesses to make his partner feel bad and do all the work for him which was funny to me.I also liked this book because it's creative like how they have the main character have like a gifted talent for lying which I think is unique.
2. Who w...more
2. Who w...more
I am a Gary Paulsen fan, but this book fell short in my opinion. Based on the cover art, I thought it was going to be about a 4th or 5th grade boy but in fact Kevin, the main character, is in 8th grade. He is described as a compulsive liar and the story involves the escalating problems he gets himself into, but I didn't find Kevin's character to be especially believable or consistent. I couldn't even decide if I liked him or not. It's too juvenile for 8th grade boys, but has some content that ma...more
Funny! This small chapter book for pre-teens/teens is a comical read about a 14 year old named Kevin who finds life is just easier when he lies. The key is knowing how to lie. For example a lie is most believable when you are telling someone what they want to hear. They are less likely to question you that way. After a sudden cupid attack Kevin decides he needs to convince his gorgeous classmate Tina that he is excellent boyfriend material. To do this he needs time to stalk... I mean follow Tina...more
I really liked this book, but I only gave it three stars because I think the cover art, size of the book and the fact that some of Paulsen's recent books that look like this (Lawn Boy, Mudshark) scream "I am a perfect fit for third, fourth and fifth grade readers, BUT there are a few scenes that I don't feel are that appropriate for this age group.
Kevin, the compulsively lying 8th grade student narrator, concocts a wild plan to prove he is the perfect boyfriend to the girl of his dreams. While t...more
Kevin, the compulsively lying 8th grade student narrator, concocts a wild plan to prove he is the perfect boyfriend to the girl of his dreams. While t...more
Mar 22, 2011
Laura
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
bks-grade-4-5,
boy-books
Short, fun read about how little lies can cause big problems. My only real complaint is that it looks like a book for a second/third grader (short chapters, small trim size), but is about a 14-year-old boy and his quest to make a girl notice him. It won't have any browsing appeal for it's intended audience and falls into that crack between juvenile and YA fiction.
Feb 07, 2012
Jenni French
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
genre-contemporary-fiction,
age-3-grades-3-5
Kevin has found that his lies make other people happy and generally help him get his way. During one week of junior high, however, his lies build to monumental proportions, and he begins to realize how much simpler it is to tell the truth.
I liked this book for two big reasons. First, Kevin babysits a boy named Markie, and the first time we see Kevin tell the truth is when Markie asks about his parents' divorce. Markie loves Kevin for being the only "big person" in his life to tell him the truth...more
I liked this book for two big reasons. First, Kevin babysits a boy named Markie, and the first time we see Kevin tell the truth is when Markie asks about his parents' divorce. Markie loves Kevin for being the only "big person" in his life to tell him the truth...more
This quick read is impressive in the amount of punch it has for such a succinct story. Kevin thinks he has the way of the world figured out--you lie about everything to get what you want. Turns out he is an expert liar and excellent at scheming too. After it all goes too far, he realizes how much damage he's done and goes about trying to rectify his folly. Considering the amount of effort he puts in his lies, it would be far easier to be truthful and the issues his family are going through sort...more
This book is going to be a tough sell. Liar, Liar is a totally overused title and the cover art is really juvenile. The book features an eighth grade boy, Kevin Spencer, who prides himself for being an excellent liar. He falls head over heels in love with Tina and puts all of his energies in to impressing her. After telling a bunch of lies, Kevin's conscious catches up with him and he decides to mend his ways.
This book just doesn't ring quite true. Kevin talks about a few mature themes but the...more
This book just doesn't ring quite true. Kevin talks about a few mature themes but the...more
Kevin the compulsive liar in this book feels as though lying is the best policy not telling the truth. He lies about everything because he is good at it and gets away with it as well. He lies until he gets caught up in the lies and now has to figure out a way to get out of the web of lies. This is a good book for children to read because it teaches them that you make one lie and have to make other lies to keep up with the first lie and then you eventually get caught in it. It might also have ano...more
Not Paulsen's best work. I just didn't think the characterization of Kevin was all that consistent, plus I didn't like him at all. The main character supposedly lies continuously, yet he says he's not known for being a troublemaker. I guess I can believe that he's a reader and gets good grades in school, although that doesn't exactly mesh with someone who lies to get other people to do his work for him and looks at schoolwork so negatively. I also thought it all wrapped up very quickly. His pare...more
Take a look at this book cover, feel the slimness of the volume, and then recommend it for an age group. What would you say, probably grade 3? Ages 7-10? I know, I know, read it first, or at least read a review, but COME ON. It looks like a baby book, and then you get to a humorous bit about a boner a few chapters in. A sweet and easy read, this is an ideal title for reluctant young adults. I'm not worried about the third graders who will inevitably pick up the title - a little boner humor never...more
When the book orders came in I looked at this and read the brief summary. It seemed interesting and I was intruiged by it. Kev is a liar. In his opinion he thinks lying makes it easier for everyone, buy truth be told it does more harm than good. But in the end, Kev changes after babysitting a regular kid and Kevin starts to tell the truth to everyone. My favorite quote was "I just lie to make things easier for people." The reason is because it gives me a glimpse of the main characters mind and h...more
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I guess the book is ok for the middle school age. It had humor, real-life family problems and the fresh look at them. For those who think that this book will teach a kid to lie, I don't think it would. I mean, yes the book is based on the character who lies constantly, but it also covers the consequences and ways of making amends to people who were affected with lies.
Kevin is not a bad person. He doesn't sleep and think of ways to lie to make lives miserable, nor does he work on diabolic plans...more
Kevin is not a bad person. He doesn't sleep and think of ways to lie to make lives miserable, nor does he work on diabolic plans...more
I enjoyed this quick story about a boy who lies all the time and has convinced himself that everyone does it and it is harmless. Of course he discovers later in the story that his lies have consequences and he has to face the music. I thought Paulsen handled the subject with great flair, keeping Kevin as the same kid throughout, before and after he learned his lesson. He still was a jokester and took a lighthearted approach to things, but he stopped taking the easy way out and lying and manipula...more
Apr 06, 2011
Sarai
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult-fiction,
humor
I wanted to enjoy this book so much that I could take it to school visits, and I may still do that, but it was not a terrific book. It's nice and compact, a fast read, and is lighthearted and has a happy ending. It's labeled for YA here but really geared toward younger readers, maybe 4th - 7th grade IMHO. (Amazon says age 9-12, so I'm right on the money.) With that in mind, I'd give it a 3.5 rating.
Product Description
Kevin doesn't mean to make trouble when he lies. He's just really good at it, a...more
Product Description
Kevin doesn't mean to make trouble when he lies. He's just really good at it, a...more
I really liked the main character, Kevin. He creates these massive lies throughout the story, so I should probably dislike him, but there is something appealing about Kevin. In then end, Kevin recognizes right from wrong and is able to fix his mistakes but does have to deal with consequences; he does not get away with all of the trouble he causes.
There is humor, and I think upper elementary kids would relate easily to Kevin. One detail I really liked was the regular babysitting job Kevin has fo...more
There is humor, and I think upper elementary kids would relate easily to Kevin. One detail I really liked was the regular babysitting job Kevin has fo...more
Another funny book by Paulsen that should appeal to reluctant readers. The eighth grade boy protagonist relates his story about how lying is really the best policy because it is actually just telling people what they really want to hear. He tells how he uses his ability to pathologically lie to attract the girlfriend of his dreams, deal with the sibling rivalry of his brother and sister, help his aunt with her personal finances, and manipulate his detached parents. Of course, lying doesn't alway...more
I laughed my way through the entire book! Poor Kevin discovers girls while standing in his middle school hallway and life just isn't the same after that. Kevin is also an accomplished liar. But when he decides to make the girl of his dreams notice him, things go all wrong for once. You can't help but love Kevin, everything about him is so authentic, so genuinely teenage lovesick boy, you just anguish for him as his world falls apart. I also love the sibling rivalry - the arguments between he and...more
For a Gary Paulsen book, this was a bit of a disappointment. Kevin is a likable enough main character, and I liked the basic premise of Kevin going through life lying right and left, but then getting caught in one (or many!) of his lies and dealing with the consequences. The cover and basic premise makes the book seem innocent enough, but there are a few mature references that I could have done without. Not enough to make me take the book out of my library, but I will be cautious about which kid...more
Once again, Gary Paulsen proves he knows his readers and can capture their voice. Meet Kevin, the best liar ever. Kevin says he lies because it makes life easy and makes people happy. Of course it isn't long before Kevin's many lies and complications cause trouble for him and he figures out that he has to fix the mess he's made. As he moves from consummate liar to asking for forgiveness for the trouble he's caused, Kevin learns that while lies may keep some people happy,only the truth builds fam...more
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Although he was never a dedicated student, Paulsen developed a passion for reading at an early age. After a librarian gave him a book to read--along with his own library card--he was hooked. He began spending hours alone in the basement of his apartment building, reading one book after another.
Running away from home at the age of 14 and traveling with a carnival, Paulsen acquired a taste for adve...more
More about Gary Paulsen...
Running away from home at the age of 14 and traveling with a carnival, Paulsen acquired a taste for adve...more
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Jan 16, 2012 01:50pm