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Liar
Fourteen-year-old Alex leaves his self-destructive, emotionally abusive mother to live with his grandparents in Rimrock, Oregon, and as he begins a new life in a small rural community, he battles his impulses to fight, steal, and lie for survival.
161 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1996
3 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Winifred Morris
13 books28 followersI've built and remodeled houses and helped plant more than a million trees. I'm also the author of several award-winning children's books published the more traditional way, five picture books and four novels for the young - and young at heart.
But as publishing has changed, I've changed too. I've started writing for adults and let myself get a little wackier. Of Mice and Money is a comic women's book, which I'm told is a contradiction in terms. How come? Bombed is comic romantic suspense. And I'll soon be releasing The Sometime Burglar, a comic romantic novella.
I've also published Living in Suspension, which is a return to my YA roots. It’s not as funny, and I love humor, but it means a lot to me. It’s the story of a struggling teenager, more like Liar which was an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers.
But as publishing has changed, I've changed too. I've started writing for adults and let myself get a little wackier. Of Mice and Money is a comic women's book, which I'm told is a contradiction in terms. How come? Bombed is comic romantic suspense. And I'll soon be releasing The Sometime Burglar, a comic romantic novella.
I've also published Living in Suspension, which is a return to my YA roots. It’s not as funny, and I love humor, but it means a lot to me. It’s the story of a struggling teenager, more like Liar which was an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 12, 2017
I’ve worked with troubled kids and their families for most of my professional life, and it’s true, kids who are chronically abused and betrayed sabotage themselves again and again, even when (and sometimes especially when) they find kindness and the glimmerings of a life and a home they can depend on. In Liar, Winifred Morris gets it absolutely right! She introduces us to Alex, brings us into his world at just the moment he’s been separated from his neglectful mother and given a last chance (next stop juvenile detention) to find his footing and build a normal kid’s life in a small rural town with grandparents who love and really want him. Does he sabotage himself? Yes – stupid stupid kid! Did I want him to succeed? Absolutely!
Liar is an exceptionally well written book. I thought it was outstanding.
Liar is an exceptionally well written book. I thought it was outstanding.
May 23, 2017
This is a novella about Alex, a 14-year-old boy who has been handed a raw deal in life. As a parent, his mother leaves an incredible lot to be desired, and his father is largely absent. Because of this, he's had a history of getting into trouble, and his future looks questionable.
When he goes to live with his maternal grandparents on their farm, he finally has a chance to make a better life for himself, but with his anger issues and the emotional baggage he carries, is he able to pull it off, or is he headed for more trouble?
I loved the writing style in this story. It is spare, but realistic and edgy, with a true understanding of an adolescent's point of view. I wished it had been longer - I didn't want it to end!
When he goes to live with his maternal grandparents on their farm, he finally has a chance to make a better life for himself, but with his anger issues and the emotional baggage he carries, is he able to pull it off, or is he headed for more trouble?
I loved the writing style in this story. It is spare, but realistic and edgy, with a true understanding of an adolescent's point of view. I wished it had been longer - I didn't want it to end!
April 8, 2017
An outstanding short novel with a great story which is largely character-driven. From the title one might expect something overtly moralizing, but what you get is much more real-life than that.
Alex is superb, and the characters around him are excellent - particularly, his grand-parents, and the other children at his new school. Winifred Morris has a light touch, which means that the reader gets to enjoy the story without feeling that the author is constantly dictating mood or plot.
The characters behave in realistic ways, and the story is messy; some things are unresolved, even important issues. Again, this is true to life. Minor spoiler:
Mickey is sweet, and an essential part of Alex's story as he learns to deal with who he has been and who he will become.
I did feel that this novel could have been filled out just a little more; could have been just a fraction longer and richer. It has been strongly edited, down to what is essential for the story with nothing to spare. Nevertheless, this is worth no more than a half-star off, which means it still gets rounded up to five stars.
Alex is superb, and the characters around him are excellent - particularly, his grand-parents, and the other children at his new school. Winifred Morris has a light touch, which means that the reader gets to enjoy the story without feeling that the author is constantly dictating mood or plot.
The characters behave in realistic ways, and the story is messy; some things are unresolved, even important issues. Again, this is true to life. Minor spoiler:
Mickey is sweet, and an essential part of Alex's story as he learns to deal with who he has been and who he will become.
I did feel that this novel could have been filled out just a little more; could have been just a fraction longer and richer. It has been strongly edited, down to what is essential for the story with nothing to spare. Nevertheless, this is worth no more than a half-star off, which means it still gets rounded up to five stars.
March 14, 2017
This edgy, pull-no-punches YA novella has a very real-life flavour about it, i.e. less focused on constructing a polished plot vs showing us a section of a teenage boy’s complicated life. Alex has a tough job in this story too, as he tries to come to terms with a number of issues teenagers and grown-up teenagers will easily recognise and relate to, especially the moments where he has to dig deep to stand up for himself.
This is a heavily character focused tale, so I wasn't bothered by the loose threads. Life has many loose, unresolved threads, so this added to the feeling of realism evoked by the book. It was nice to step back to the nineties too, when I was doing a fair bit of growing up myself. I think the period setting (yikes where did the time go?) will help the story appeal to a wide audience.
Winifred Morris’s writing is crisp and moves along at a solid pace. It’s quite a different book compared to the others I’ve read, but certainly a good yarn. Recommended.
This is a heavily character focused tale, so I wasn't bothered by the loose threads. Life has many loose, unresolved threads, so this added to the feeling of realism evoked by the book. It was nice to step back to the nineties too, when I was doing a fair bit of growing up myself. I think the period setting (yikes where did the time go?) will help the story appeal to a wide audience.
Winifred Morris’s writing is crisp and moves along at a solid pace. It’s quite a different book compared to the others I’ve read, but certainly a good yarn. Recommended.
April 12, 2017
What a poignant story about a 14-year-old boy raised (and I use that term loosely) by a mother who has so many problems, she can’t be a real mother. And a dad who “gave up” and abandoned his son. Is it any wonder Alex has gotten into so much trouble at such a young age? An excellent YA coming-of-age novella that comes across as so real, it opens your eyes to the struggles of children and teens with bad parents or no parents at all.
Alex is sent to live with his grandparents in a small rural town, thus avoiding a juvenile detention facility. But nothing is easy for an outsider at a small high school where everyone apparently knows your history of run-ins with the law. Every time you think he’s finally making some progress raising himself out of the hellhole that is his life, he gets knocked down again by some obstacle, some accusation or some self-inflicted act of stupidity. But he’s a young guy who really wants to improve as a human being. And, without giving away too much, the story ends on a hopeful note.
The author does a masterful job of getting inside Alex’s head and bringing him to life. Lots of flawed characters here, just like in real life. Highly recommended.
Alex is sent to live with his grandparents in a small rural town, thus avoiding a juvenile detention facility. But nothing is easy for an outsider at a small high school where everyone apparently knows your history of run-ins with the law. Every time you think he’s finally making some progress raising himself out of the hellhole that is his life, he gets knocked down again by some obstacle, some accusation or some self-inflicted act of stupidity. But he’s a young guy who really wants to improve as a human being. And, without giving away too much, the story ends on a hopeful note.
The author does a masterful job of getting inside Alex’s head and bringing him to life. Lots of flawed characters here, just like in real life. Highly recommended.
March 14, 2017
Alex was dropped off with his grandparents in a small Oregon town. It would have been a fresh start if everybody didn't already know him and what he's capable of. This is his last chance and he doesn't want to blow it, but life is never that easy.
Alex's story is sometimes hard to read because we see his internal struggle to rise above his situation and his thought processes. He's a good kid and he's trying to act within the boundaries he's given. It's sad to see his environment press in on him and push him into a corner. Alex reacts both realistically and like many would in his situations. He doesn't want to be a bad kid. He doesn't want to start fires and fights. I wanted to see Alex succeed and it was so heartbreaking every time there was a setback in his life or another bully to push him down. Life is never easy, but Alex remained hopeful and resilient, at least some of the time.
I thoroughly enjoyed this realistic coming of age story. It was amazingly well written and engaging and full of good messages that weren't too obvious. Teens and adults alike can learn from this story and enjoy it as well.
Alex's story is sometimes hard to read because we see his internal struggle to rise above his situation and his thought processes. He's a good kid and he's trying to act within the boundaries he's given. It's sad to see his environment press in on him and push him into a corner. Alex reacts both realistically and like many would in his situations. He doesn't want to be a bad kid. He doesn't want to start fires and fights. I wanted to see Alex succeed and it was so heartbreaking every time there was a setback in his life or another bully to push him down. Life is never easy, but Alex remained hopeful and resilient, at least some of the time.
I thoroughly enjoyed this realistic coming of age story. It was amazingly well written and engaging and full of good messages that weren't too obvious. Teens and adults alike can learn from this story and enjoy it as well.
October 25, 2008
IT IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ
July 28, 2025
This book is so frustrating!
This kid grows up with an abusive mother, that nobody tried to protect him from. He tries so hard to do well. Literally the only things he does until the end, is tear a stupid stuffed toy, and accidentally start a fire after his grandparents let his abusive mother come for his birthday without even telling him. But then he spends the entire next day trying to help put out said fire.
But then they're like, 'Oh, you stole a walkman.' Then his grandpa (Who is kind of a jerk, by the way, let's get real. You know this kid's from the city, obviously he doesn't know how to do farm chores.) is like, 'Oh, you stole the walkman.'
Then they're like, 'Oh, someone stole a motorcycle.' But not just anyone. You're father, whom you've never met before, and hasn't even bothered to ask if he could see you since you've shown up in his stupid town, says he thinks you stole his motorcycle. (Like, at this point, I feel it'd probably be fair if the kid did steal the motorcycle. And what kind of father calls the cops instead of actually meeting his son before making this judgemen?)
And then the school councelor's all like, 'Well, I decided you're going to meet your father right now, without even having any clue as to how you feel about it.' So of course the kid leaves, who wouldn't?
And then he shows up at his house, and there's a cop. Need I remind you, the kid has yet to do anything wrong. So he runs away. 😱 Shocker! And totally fair if you ask me.
But then he comes home anyway, and the counselor comes up and is all like, you probably stole the stuff, you set a fire, you ran away, and you took survival gear with you which included an unloaded gun, so you should probably wait in my office while these jerks, who taunted you about how they were going to get you out of here and locked up as soon as they possibly got the chance, discuss your fate with your weak willed grandmother.
The kid calmly walks away, the way he's so gracefully been doing this entire book, no matter how badly he's been treated. And this stupid jerk, intentionally triggers him with his verbal assault. So the kid finally loses it, and they're like, 'Yep, see? We knew you were no good.' And then they throw him in a detention center.
At no point throughout this entire book did anyone actually help this kid!
This kid grows up with an abusive mother, that nobody tried to protect him from. He tries so hard to do well. Literally the only things he does until the end, is tear a stupid stuffed toy, and accidentally start a fire after his grandparents let his abusive mother come for his birthday without even telling him. But then he spends the entire next day trying to help put out said fire.
But then they're like, 'Oh, you stole a walkman.' Then his grandpa (Who is kind of a jerk, by the way, let's get real. You know this kid's from the city, obviously he doesn't know how to do farm chores.) is like, 'Oh, you stole the walkman.'
Then they're like, 'Oh, someone stole a motorcycle.' But not just anyone. You're father, whom you've never met before, and hasn't even bothered to ask if he could see you since you've shown up in his stupid town, says he thinks you stole his motorcycle. (Like, at this point, I feel it'd probably be fair if the kid did steal the motorcycle. And what kind of father calls the cops instead of actually meeting his son before making this judgemen?)
And then the school councelor's all like, 'Well, I decided you're going to meet your father right now, without even having any clue as to how you feel about it.' So of course the kid leaves, who wouldn't?
And then he shows up at his house, and there's a cop. Need I remind you, the kid has yet to do anything wrong. So he runs away. 😱 Shocker! And totally fair if you ask me.
But then he comes home anyway, and the counselor comes up and is all like, you probably stole the stuff, you set a fire, you ran away, and you took survival gear with you which included an unloaded gun, so you should probably wait in my office while these jerks, who taunted you about how they were going to get you out of here and locked up as soon as they possibly got the chance, discuss your fate with your weak willed grandmother.
The kid calmly walks away, the way he's so gracefully been doing this entire book, no matter how badly he's been treated. And this stupid jerk, intentionally triggers him with his verbal assault. So the kid finally loses it, and they're like, 'Yep, see? We knew you were no good.' And then they throw him in a detention center.
At no point throughout this entire book did anyone actually help this kid!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2017
A fast read with some great characters. Fourteen year old Alex finds himself living with his grandparents who he only knew for a summer six years earlier. Issue with a new school, no friends, a troubled past and small town interactions for a city boy all expose the issues Alex is feeling and dealing with.
The other two major characters, Mickey and Barry, have their own issues. As Alex begibs to understand himelf, he also begins understanding his family and friends. The title, Liar, is a bit mis-directing but it is a central topic for this story.
The other two major characters, Mickey and Barry, have their own issues. As Alex begibs to understand himelf, he also begins understanding his family and friends. The title, Liar, is a bit mis-directing but it is a central topic for this story.
August 29, 2017
This is a well-written and cleverly plotted YA novella! I liked the unveiling of details over time and found the family and school interactions rich and well-described. My only question is why it was originally titled "Liar" — I would have voted for something like "Trouble," but I don't have a vote. It's a very good story in a small (short) package. Recommended.
June 1, 2019
"Liar" is a thoughtful book about what childhood trauma can do to a kid and family. I'm glad Alex had loving grandparents and a happy ending. While those gifts don't happen for everyone in his situation, the book does give hope to people who are struggling to know how to help and love a hurting child.
February 8, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. The character development and plot development was amazing! It would be better if it were a series though. I would love to see what happened to Alex when he's an adult.
June 16, 2019
This book is a easy & fast read but also still really good. Would recommend to friends.
March 6, 2020
Sure glad I'm reading all the books I bought for my son during his Scholastic days instead of just passing them on. these are good quick reads. maybe i can finish the pile by the end of the year!
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February 3, 2017The title is Liar. The setting is in his grandma and grandpa’s house early in the morning. The author of my story is Winifred Morris, the characters in the story is the main character Alex he is a not so good boy who has moved from the suburbs to the country. Another is his girlfriend mickey who is good and really nice. His dad is Bruce but he doesn’t know him though. Driscoll his probation officer is always trying to get him in trouble. My overall review on this book is a 9/10 because. The story has action and it doesn’t get boring at some parts of the story. The conflict is that he has been accused of stealing a action figure and his dad’s motorcycle, so what he’s doing is trying to prove to everyone he didn’t do it. Later on he figures out his nerdy friend the kid no one expected to steal it, stole the bike and the Walkman. I recommend this book to anyone that like 1st person stories (when the main character is the one telling the story.)
May 18, 2022
I love that he slowly becomes a better person without realizing. It’s so sad to me that because of his past, he didn’t believe himself worthy of being someone that is considered good. I HEAVILY disliked his mother.
August 11, 2018
When dealt a bad hand in life, how easy (or difficult) is it to strive for something better and to persevere? How easy is it to debunk the stereotypes you've fallen under? Liar is a thought-provoking YA novel that explores these questions and challenges the idea that people are ultimately a product of their environments. Because of the subtle approach Morris took when developing the storyline and characters, I could see this book working well as a group read for high school students. Key information is not force-fed, which caused me to analyze my own beliefs about whether or not people can change and wonder who the real liar(s) in the story are. It's a quick read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a realistic, well-written YA novel, especially those who work with troubled teens.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews