The Truth About Leo

by David Yelland

'It had happened again. Dad had shouted and yelled, thrown things and smashed things up. And then he had quietly cleaned everything away'. Leo's dad has changed. Since Mum died, his drinking is worse and now he's a different person, someone Leo doesn't recognize. The truth is that Leo is covering up for him and when things get bad Leo escapes into his own head, pretending everything's OK. Things need to change, but what can Leo do? No one understands, except maybe his friend Flora. Leo wants his old dad back so they can be happy again - because Dad is all he has left...

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as a proof from work and it interested me, as I wasn't sure if it was a teen or adult fiction book.

After reading it I have not only decided it is a teen/9-12 book in terms of story but that it is also very good. A heart warming and emotional story of a boy named Leo.

We are introduced to Leo, a ten year old boy who is struggling in life and keeping a terrible secret from everyone. His mum died of cancer two years ago and his dad is consequently a very heavy drinker. His old dad, the dad he loved no longer exists, instead he has an overweight violent father who doesn't care about him. He is failing in school, is picked on by teachers because of this and has only one real friend. But he can't even tell her, because he doesn't want to be taken away from his home, and the memory of his mother.

The story is of this boy and his struggle to come to terms with the loss of his mother, and now of his father and trying to remember what his life used to be like and have faith that things will change for the better - believing in others and himself.

For a first book I thought it was beautiful, it captures your imagination and it is real - worryingly so. There are hundreds, probably thousands of children that are going through the same problems as Leo. And this book brings hope, and love to the situation. It makes you believe that things can be better, and that you are not alone. You will cry you will laugh and at the end of it you will wonder why David Yelland, being a writer for so long, hasn't graced us with his writing earlier.

A beautiful story of love, loss and hope and memories, that will never fade whatever happens.

[Clare Brunton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, two sittings on the train and finished. Not quite as thrilling or exciting as the blurb let on, for a much younger reader than it seems based on the cover and subject matter.

[Leonie Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read book. It is probably aimed at a younger audience and is tackling a difficult issue. Despite the subject matter it was a rather sweet story.

[Robin Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had me crying and reminded me of the beauty of fiction.

[Liv 소정 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so heartwarming. I find it heartwarming because of the situation Leo is in but also because I read the authors notes (which some people may find crazy) but I noticed that the author had been once an alcoholic and he gives you advise and its so sweet. I however rated it 3 just because I found some parts boring and unrealistic but other than that an overall good read and I'm glad I've finally finished it, it took me a while.

[Rosaleen Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Truth about Leo is as the author tells us what might have happened to him and his son if he hadn't stopped drinking after the death of his wife. This cautionary tale warns other parents (perhaps while reading to their children) and gives advice to the children who have parents who are alcoholic or are emotionally abusive.

This is not a story I would have expected from an ex editor of The Sun, but that shows my prejudice which I became quickly aware of the more I learned about Yelland.

[❁K · Rating 4 out of 5]

****I don't really have spoilers but I do talk about my opinion on the ending***
Wow, I was crying at the end I'm not going to lie, all in all I really enjoyed this book. I'm glad it had a good ending otherwise I would have felt really depressed. In the end Leo got the happiness he deserved, and I'm really glad I found this book because it allowed me to really think about things in my own life.

[hey it's dalila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was so amazing and heartwarming. When I forgot to bring a book in for reading lesson in school ( in year 9) my teacher told me to read this and by the cover is thought it would be terrible but at the time being ill read it. Anyway I was hooked on the book and even when the lesson was over in couldn't put it down! The book was so inspiring and so enticing. This book is one of my favourites now and I can't stop reading it!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, a young boy who doesn't have the best start but has so much resilience. I cared for young Leo when I finished this book and tried to imagine what his life would be like now. David Yelland maybe a second book but with an older Leo maybe??

[Ila · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book but not at all what I thought it would be. It was heartwarming but not raw or long enough.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish

[Asiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me cry and it made me feel the characters emotions.

[Megan ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that talked about important things but wasn't written great

[Humza Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have amazing memories of reading this book as a 12 year old

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a young boy whose mother has died and whose father is an alcoholic. You will need to have tissues on hand when reading it! I read it in one sitting.

[Georgia Malkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another absolute banger from childhood. Deals with some really mature stuff, and though the end is mega unrealistic, I can forgive it for the truthfulness.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Very engaging, easy to enjoy. One thing I didn't like was that it was a very serious story at the beginning, drunk dad, alcoholic, rehab etc... and then at the end, it twists. It becomes a David Walliams book but after all, very good book.

Spoiler:
The prime minister comes to school helps the kid and all ends happily ever after.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Truth About Leo is aimed at older children and young adult readers, but can very easily cross over to adult reading.

Simply written, this is the story of Leo - in his last year at Primary School, missing his Mother who died a couple of years ago from Cancer and coping on a day to day basis with his alcoholic father. Leo's father is a Doctor, a professional man, who outwardly shows all the signs of respectability, yet at home, he is turning into a raging monster, neglecting himself and Leo. Leo is very unhappy, he feels alone and unloved and misses his Mother terribly.

When Leo's father sets the house ablaze accidentally and everything that belonged to his Mother is lost, Leo knows that things just have to change.

David Yelland himself was once the editor of the Sun newspaper, he was an alcoholic during that time, often drinking four bottles of wine per day. When his wife died from cancer and he was left to care for their 8 year old son, he knew that he had to find a cure. So, this story, whilst not an autobiography, is very close to his own life. I'm sure that by writing this novel Yelland feels that he may be able to explain himself to his son.

There are descriptive passages that are really well written - Leo's father's alcoholic rages are quite frightening, the description of his Nan's house and her 'old lady' things is particularly well done.

There are however, some real stereotyped characters - Leo's horrible, old-fashioned and uncaring teacher just doesnt ring true and the Prime Minister who Leo contacts (yes, really) is taken straight from the film Love Actually - I could see Hugh Grant as I read it. Flora - Leo's best friend is also just a little too sweet and how amazing that there happens to be another child in his class in the same situation!

There are parts that will irritate adults but younger readers will love. The story is decent, the writing is great in places and Leo is a sweet character.

I did enjoy the story over all, it's a short, easy read.

[Yana Bidzhiieva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t seek out this book – it found me. I was on a walk in a city where I don’t even live, with no intention of buying new books; then I spotted a charity bookshop, and I can never pass those by. I’m also particularly prone to buying books with yellow covers, so I took The Truth About Leo from the shelf, saw that it featured a child protagonist, alcoholism, and abuse, and the book was sold to me. Maybe I just enjoy watching children suffer (my pedagogical education checks out).  

As you’d expect, this book is full of suffering. Beyond alcoholism, which the cover suggests is the central theme, we also encounter untreatable diseases, accidents, communication issues, and physical abuse. All of this is combined with the crushing weight of responsibility placed on a ten-year-old boy, as the adults around him are eager to pretend everything is fine, continually slapping fresh paint on the walls of a crumbling house (symbolically, it takes an actual building literally collapsing for the situation to change). 

At first, it seems there’s absolutely no hope for anyone; the world is horrible, and it will stay so. But honestly, I envy Leo’s resilience, because he is crushing it! I mean, yeah, he has low marks at school, struggles to communicate with people around him, and is anxious and depressed. However, he’s still doing better than his addicted father, which is often the case in such families. The Truth About Leo is an ode to the bravery, endurance, and determination of children. Not that we should put them in such circumstances. 

The world of adults is indifferent to the problems of individuals. It allows wounds to close on the surface and rot underneath while everyone pretends they’ve healed. In all aspects of life, we lie without even realising it, and when kids don’t understand these “rules,” we label them “not the brightest.” The Truth About Leo reveals the influence of these institutionalised lies; Leo really wants us to know his truth. 

[Jess - The Tales Compendium · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most heart-wrenching and powerful books I have ever read. I felt so much pain for this little boy whose life was completely miserable, I just wanted to reach out and hug him. It is an important story about friendship and love, and that no matter how bad things get, there will always be someone out there who cares, and that you are not alone with your suffering. Life can get better.

Ten-year-old Leo lives everyday with the pain of having lost his Mum to cancer. He also lives with a secret; he's lost his Dad as well. Leo's father is an alcoholic, and everyday Leo works to keep this a secret from those around him, because if someone were to find out, he would be taken away; from his Dad, their house and the memories of his mother. He never knows what mood his father will be in, and his school life is no better. Due to all the problems at home, his school work and attendance has suffered and he is constantly bullied by his horrible teacher and the other kids. As a coping mechanism, Leo has created his own world, Planet Leo, one he can escape to when things get bad, remembering the time he spent with his Mum and dreaming about an alternative life for himself. But Leo can't escape from everything, and one devastating afternoon, his secret is discovered.

Leo has a highly unstable home life, one where he is the parent, taking care of his father like a child. While this is a story told from the perspective of a 10 year old, it does deal with adult issues, and should only be read by mature ten-year-olds and upwards. It would also be the kind of book that a parent and child could read together with the benefit being the issues could be further explained.

[Libraryofreviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about a child’s struggle keeping the secret of his alcoholic father and it’s negative consequences on his life at school. I really enjoyed the idea of addiction/alcoholism being explored in a children’s book and I feel like David Yell successfully narrates the story through a child’s perspective.

However, I feel the actual story was uneventful and difficult to finish. The prime minister visit was confusing and I didn’t fully understand his involvement in the story. It would have been better if his own father was a alcoholic or he had ministers who were alcoholics allowing him to sympathise with Leo.

Leo’s grandma also has a unusual change of character we’re she is initially viewed as cold and unresponsive to her sons alcoholism. She is also portrayed as having a grudge towards Leo’s deceased mother. However, this is changed close to the end of the book without any real reason given.

[Arch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written book for older children that addresses the difficult issues of parent death and alcoholism, with the author admitting to his own alcohol problems in the past. Lots of good messages, such as standing up for yourself, being honest with others and having faith in the good in life.

[Brian Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read.

Some sensitive writing about Leo's relationships with his mum and dad.

Moved at end from an attempt at something weighted towards realism, to a roald dahl type conclusion, with nasty teacher put down by the Prime Minister and leo triumphs.

[Matt Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still grieving after his mum's death, thi sis a gritty hard hitting story about a boy who is abused by his alcoholic father.

Excellent book for any year 6 topic. Can be used for a range of different english writing assaignments

[Inayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was amazing. the language is simple but the simplicity of it made it all the more heart wrenching. I don't cry easily but at the end something he says made me cry. I think you should really try out this book.

[Melissa Edmunds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gorgeous, thought provoking book, about a young boy who has an alcoholic Father, a bully of a teacher, but one friend who is there for him whenever he needs her.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! I love books that depict a life story, and this is amazing, with the fact and fantasy both there strongly.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me cry about once per chapter! Teaching it in September. Wish me luck!

[Ursula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this book. It made me feel sad and happy and excited. My sister didn't like it but I thought it was great and I feel so much for Leo

[Varsha Seshan]

A book I could not resist comparing with Moon-Pie, a book I read almost a year and a half ago.
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