life cycle of a LIE

by Sylvia Olsen

Fifteen-year-old Vikki loves her boyfriend, Linc. But when Jona moves to town, things get complicated. Jona is beautiful. Sensitive. Funny. At first, Vikki finds it thrilling to spend time with two delicious boys. But when Linc and Jona seem to be enjoying each other's company just a little too much, Vikki struggles to keep her feelings of jealousy in check.

When Jona is implicated in a theft, Vikki doesn't jump to his rescue, though she could sort things out by sharing what she knows. Lies of omission are covered up by lies of a more insidious kind, and the situation quickly spirals out of control.

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Sylvia Olsen is a writer and public speaker living on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. She is the author of several picture books, a number of first readers and novels for young adults and one non fiction—so far. Most of all she is a mother and grandmother and aunty to dozens of nieces and nephews.

Sylvia has spent most of her life living in Tsartlip First Nation, where her children and grandchildren now live. Because Sylvia is non native and her children are of mixed heritage most of her stories are about the place—the time—the experience of where different sorts of people come together. That’s one of the things that interests her the most. It’s one of the things she knows the most about—and like many authors—Sylvia writes about what she knows.

Her newest books are: a historical fiction set in the Gulf Islands called Counting on Hope (Sono Nis, Fall 2009) and A Different Game (Orca Books, Spring 2010). She is currently working on an adult non fiction and dreaming up a new story for a Young Adult novel (making it up is her favourite part of the writing process).

Writing is Sylvia’s most important hobby. She also loves to draw, sew, knit and design clothing. Her ‘real’ job is in housing. Her career, her dedication and her passion are to make sure everyone has a healthy place to live.

Reviews

[chysodema · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read books featuring First Nations characters during a recent trip to visit First Nations friends in British Columbia. I thought this book was well worth reading and a good choice for someone looking for a relatively complex YA book (not complex in terms of language - it would be, I think, an easy read for a reluctant reader - more in terms of characters who have depth and ambivalence). I also appreciated the multi-faceted portrayal of the different roles adults play in the teens lives.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel, the story moved along well. Had to finish it to see what happened. Sadly due to language I can not put it in my school library.