May: The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

[Jenna]

We discussed Hardinge's Cuckoo Song last year. Will this year's The Lie Tree win her the Printz Award?

[Elisabeth]

I loved Cuckoo's Song. I can't wait to read this one!

[Tck]

I haven't read anything by Frances Hardinge before. I really liked her writing style and the pace of the plot. Very engaging, very comfortable read, but with beautiful language and imagery. I especially appreciated the feminist angle and think it would be well received by the YA crowd--either male or female--who get an intimate look at Faith's thoughts and frustrations. I also applaud the lack of a love story in this book. Most authors would have gone there, but Hardinge teetered near it masterfully. Just enough to feel the potential and the emotions, but not allowing it to hijack the plot.

[Serenity]

I just finished this today, and I was totally smitten. I will have to go back and read more of Hardinge's work. I think the writing was very tight, the mystery was engaging, and there was just the right amount of spooky. The commentary on women's rights was present without being heavy-handed, and this book should give readers a lot of food for thought. I really hope this is a contender.

[Jeri]

I'm seeing this was originally published by MacMillan May 2015. Does that make it ineligible?

[Jenna]

Jeri wrote: "I'm seeing this was originally published by MacMillan May 2015. Does that make it ineligible?"

Jeri, for Printz eligibility, it only matters when it was first published in the US, which was this year. :)

[Jeri]

Thank you for the clarification, Jenna! I have too many books on my TBR pile to read something ineligible. :)

[Anne]

I just got the book from the library yesterday. Sigh. I will come back and make a comment here when I get it read. I notice that The Lie Tree just earned its 6th starred review this month, meaning it earned a starred review from all six of the top reviewing publications: Booklist, School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book, and Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. They all think this book is a winner.

[Reving]

I just really, really didn't like this at all...so sorry...
http://revingsblog.blogspot.com/2016/...

[Cynthia]

Just finished this one and I liked it even more than Cuckoo's Song! Hardinge is so talented, and Faith was such a well developed character. Definitely in my top 5 of the year.

[Emma]

This is my first time reading Francis Hardinge. I liked The Lie Tree, but it wasn't my favorite. I thought it was a bit slow, and I was disappointed that the first time Faith told a lie to the tree was about half way through the book. I guess I wanted more lies.

Despite it not being the best book I've ever read, I think it could be a contender for the Printz. I think it was certainly well written, and since I've finished it I've been thinking about it's commentary on feminism. When you think about it, almost every female character (Faith, Myrtle, Miss Hunter, Agatha Lambent, even Jean Vellet) knows that the position dictated to them by society is not appropriate, but they each handle it in different ways. I think that would be a fascinating point of discussion, so if it wins the Printz I hope it will cause people more knowledgeable than myself to talk about it so that I can learn from them!

[Maureen]

There is so much to love about this book, I loved the language, the cast of characters, the feminism portrayed by faith. With six starred reviews, it is hard to imagine that this book would be totally snubbed by the real committee. My only issue was the pacing of it, at times it felt like it was taking forever to get to the crux of the plot.

[Mary HD]

A superb book.

Hardinge has a gift for metaphor and mood - but not always plot. In this novel, the constrained narrative, with its singular point of view, maintains a hectic pace through all its twists and turns. I felt compelled to race along with Faith in her pursuit of the "truth".

A particularly successful element in The Lie Tree was its emphasis on feminism; every character, female and male, contributed a distinctive perspective on the theme. Young readers will gain a valuable insight into the extraordinary ways that women's lives were restricted before the 21st century.

And in the feisty Faith, they will find a protagonist who is modern indeed in fighting those restrictions. Imaginative, creative, brave, Faith believes in her right to control her own destiny.

I loved also the conceit of the tree of knowledge (the lie tree); the acquisition of knowledge is not without its dangers.

This is my top pick for the Printz so far!

[Nicole]

Holy cow. So. Good. I think this is my favorite so far (got behind and read the books out of order). We Are the Ants might still take the Printz (it's been my pick since the beginning), but this is a contender for sure. The writing is beautiful, and it's unique enough to capture people's attention. I HOPE it gets some Printz love!