Nothing but the Truth: A Documentary Novel facts for kids
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First hardcover edition
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| Author | Avi |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 177 pp. |
| ISBN | 0-531-05959-6 |
| OCLC | 23252515 |
Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel is a fascinating book written by Avi in 1991. It's a type of story called historical fiction, which means it's a made-up story set in a real time period. This novel tells the story of a small event in a made-up town in New Hampshire. A boy gets into trouble for humming the United States National Anthem. What starts as a small school issue quickly becomes a huge national news story!
The main idea of the book is about how we see the truth. It shows that even if individual statements are true, putting them all together might not give you the full or accurate picture of what really happened. Nothing But the Truth was recognized for its excellence and won a 1992 Newbery Honor. The book was even turned into a play later on.
The Story of Philip Malloy
This book follows a ninth-grade student named Philip Malloy. He loves running track and wants to join the school team. His English teacher, Miss Narwin, is very strict. She gives him a low grade, which means he can't try out for the track team. Philip is upset and blames Miss Narwin.
What Happens in the Story?
Philip decides to act out in class to get back at Miss Narwin. During the morning announcements, when the national anthem plays, Philip hums along loudly. Miss Narwin tells him to stop, but he keeps doing it. She sends him to the assistant principal's office.
The School's Rules
The school has a rule that students must be silent and respectful during the anthem. Philip says he was just showing his patriotism. He claims he was suspended for humming the anthem, not for being disruptive. This misunderstanding quickly grows.
How the News Spreads
Philip's parents get involved. They are upset about his suspension. His father tells a local reporter about the situation. The reporter writes a story, and soon, the news spreads across the country. People start to believe Philip was suspended just for loving his country.
Different Sides of the Story
The book shows the story from many different points of view. You read diary entries, letters, newspaper articles, and conversations. This helps you see how each person involved has their own version of the truth.
Miss Narwin's View
Miss Narwin sees Philip as a disruptive student who broke a school rule. She feels misunderstood and unfairly attacked by the media. She believes she was just doing her job.
Philip's View
Philip feels like he's being punished unfairly. He wants to run track and feels his teacher is holding him back. He doesn't fully understand the consequences of his actions.
The Media's Role
Newspapers and TV news stations pick up the story. They often simplify it, making it seem like a fight for freedom of speech. This makes the situation much bigger than it really is. The media focuses on what makes a good headline, not always the full truth.
The Big Idea: What is Truth?
One of the most important lessons in Nothing But the Truth is about how complicated truth can be. The book shows that what one person believes is true might be different from what another person believes.
Understanding Different Perspectives
The story teaches us that there are often many sides to an event. It's important to listen to everyone's point of view before deciding what really happened. This helps us understand why people act the way they do.
The Power of Information
The book also shows how powerful information can be, especially when it's shared widely. A small misunderstanding can become a huge national debate if the facts are twisted or incomplete. It makes you think about how you get your news and whether it's telling the whole story.
Why is it Called a Documentary Novel?
The book is called a "documentary novel" because it's written in a special way. Instead of a regular story told by one narrator, it uses many different types of documents.
How the Book is Written
You'll read things like:
- School memos
- Letters
- Diary entries
- Newspaper articles
- Transcripts of phone calls
- Conversations
This style makes you feel like you're looking at real evidence from the event. It helps you form your own opinion about what happened.
The Author, Avi
Avi is a well-known American author. He has written many books for young readers. He is known for his unique storytelling styles and for exploring important themes in his novels. Nothing But the Truth is a great example of his ability to make readers think deeply about complex ideas.
