If the Witness Lied

If the Witness Lied

Caroline B. Clooney
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, May 12, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-385-73448-6

Plot Summary: Jack Fountain is living with the death of his parents. He tries to help take care of his baby brother, Tris, and work with his sisters, Madison, and Smithy. Meanwhile his aunt Cheryl lives with them now and tries to arrange for there to be a documentary about the Fountain family. The Fountain siblings want to keep Tris,a two year old safe and out of the limelight and work hard to do so. Also looking out for Tris is Diana, his babysitter and Jack's classmate at high school. She also worries for Tris, and alerts Jack to aunt Cheryl's dangerous behavior. As the siblings and Diana watch Cheryl try to exploit the family, they also start to see what she is truly capable of.

Critical Analysis: The concept of the teens caring for the toddler and doing it well, is interesting. Clooney writes Jack as an intelligent and considerate teen when she shows his concern for Tris. Jack refuses to feel sorry for himself and give up, and while it is a hard message, he demonstrates the potential a person can have when they stay focused and make the important things in life their priority.

Readers Annotation: Jack Fountain faces the responsibility of watching after his siblings after the death of his parents and when his Aunt Cheryl comes to help, but it becomes apparent that she does not have their best interest at heart and she may in fact be dangerous!

Information about the Author: Caroline Clooney is the author of many YA titles and has been on the YALSA book list for best books for Driver's Ed. She lives in Connecticut and New York City

Genre: YA Mystery/ Drama

Curriculum ties: For this novel there are no apparent curriculum ties.

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) What must Jack feel after his parents die and he now must care for Tris?
2.) What does it show about Jack, Diana, and Madison and Smithy that they all want to keep Tris safe? Are they doing a good job?

Reading Level/ Interest Age: 9th grade and up

Challenge Issues: none

Reasons for selection: The strength and responsibility Jack shows is refreshing and positive and in spite of the tragedy, he is a character which conveys their immense intuition.