My Life with the Liars

Twelve-year-old Zylynn has been raised in a cult but her father removes her against her will when he learns of neglect and abuse within the community. Due to brainwashing, Zylynn views everyone in the outside world as Liars who live in the Darkness and is determined to return to the cult for her coming-of-age ceremony, but she learns that the Darkness is actually filled with colours, regular meals, laughter, and knowledge, and she must make a choice that will affect her forever. This engaging novel, for grades 6-9, deals with difficult issues and is best suited as an independent novel study or literature circle option for strong, inferential readers. Social considerations noted.