The Liars Society

by Alyson Gerber Narrated by Nora Hunter, Pete Cross

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

A middle grade mystery that’s as propulsive as it gets, this story has all the secrets to keep you guessing and a cast of characters that will endear itself to you in no time. Don’t be surprised if you read this in one sitting.

The Inheritance Games and One of Us is Lying for middle grade -- beloved author Alyson Gerber's new series is an unforgettable mystery featuring a secret society, a mysterious island, and dangerous family secrets.

Weatherby is a fish out of water. When she lands a scholarship to the prestigious Boston School, she's excited to be in the same world as her dad, whom she's never met, and make real friends. But Weatherby has a secret she'll risk everything to protect, one that could destroy her new life.

Every member of Jack's wealthy and privileged family has made their mark at the Boston School. Everyone, that is, except for Jack, who is entirely mediocre. He's desperate to prove his worth to his influential father. But Jack has a secret of his own . . . one with the power to ruin everything.

When the money for their school trip to a private island-exclusive to Boston students-is stolen, Jack and Weatherby are invited to play a high-stakes game and solve the mystery of the missing money. If they win, they'll be selected to join the oldest, most powerful secret society in the world-and they'll be Boston royalty forever. If they lose . . . well, they better not lose.

Beloved author Alyson Gerber crafts an unforgettable mystery that asks-are some secrets and lies impossible to overcome?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for The Liars Society:

"Part sports adventure, part prep-school secret society puzzle mystery, The Liars Society is all action and adrenaline. Surprising and absorbing." — E. Lockhart, #1 New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars and Family of Liars

"Clear out your day, because this is the type of book you're going to want to devour in one sitting. Multiple mysteries, a mysterious secret society, family drama, deception, skullduggery and plenty of surprise twists. What more could you possibly ask for?" — Stuart Gibbs, New York Times bestselling author of the Spy School series

"A spectacular mystery filled with prep school intrigue, generational secrets, and characters who find themselves caught in a high-stakes game of deception. You want to start this series now . . . trust me." — Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Edgar award-winning author of Concealed

"This unputdownable mystery is bursting with plot twists, juicy secrets, and loveable heroes to root for - readers will be hooked by Gerber's thrilling, fast-paced series opener!" — Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of Whatever After

"Everything at the Boston School is perfect. Except the past. Behind the ivied walls of the elite New England prep school lies a maze of family secrets, mysterious societies, and cryptic codes. Alyson Gerber unravels a twisty tale sure to grab you from the first pages." — James Ponti, bestselling author of City Spies

"If you were asked to join a secret society that claims to control the whole world, would you jump at the chance—or run the other way? In The Liars Society, scholarship student Weatherby and wealthy, privileged Jack have to grapple with that question even as they struggle to sort out truth, trust, tradition . . . and secrets of their own. This twisty tale will keep kids guessing from beginning to end!" – Margaret Haddix, New York Times bestselling author of the Greystone Secrets series

"No spoilers! The Liars Society kept me guessing up until the final twist!" — Gordon Korman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slugfest and Mixed Up

"Absorbing intrigue with a cliffhanger ending." — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Focused:

* "Clea's likability, persistence, and ability to bounce back from adversity is truly inspiring. Author Gerber, who has ADHD herself, is able to compassionately and realistically convey the experience in this sweetly appealing story." — Booklist, starred review

* "An accurate and compassionate picture of growing up with ADHD is the icing on the cake of this well-told novel." — Kirkus Reviews, starred reveiw

Praise for Braced:

* "The author doesn't diminish Rachel's difficulties, but at heart her story is uplifting . . . Comparisons to Judy Blume's Deenie might be inevitable, but Rachel stands admirably on her own." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "A masterfully constructed and highly empathetic debut about a different kind of acceptance." — Booklist, starred review

"Rachel's story is about more than straightening a spine; it's about expanding the human heart. Braced earns its place on the shelf with other titles promoting empathy and compassion." — Kirby Larson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Hattie Big Sky and Audacity Jones Steals the Show

"Alyson Gerber's Braced is a rare gem of a novel: intimate and engrossing at once. Rachel is the best kind of character — vibrant and brave, struggling and strong, and most of all impossible not to root for and relate to. A lovely and deep book that will get readers right in the heart." — Corey Ann Haydu, author of Rules for Stealing Stars

"Braced is an honest, inspirational story about perseverance in the face of adversity. Readers will come away wishing they could be best friends with Rachel and believing that they, too, are stronger than they ever expected." — Alison Cherry, author of The Classy Crooks Club

"Rachel gives us an inspiring look into coping with the challenge of bracing that many of us have trouble putting into words. Join Rachel as she discovers her voice in her brace! This book is an important read for all Curvy Girls and anyone who loves and supports one!" — Leah Stoltz, founder and president, Curvy Girls Foundation

School Library Journal

03/01/2024

Gr 5–8—After winning a district sailing regatta, public school student Weatherby Walker is offered a full scholarship to the Boston School, the elite private school that her late father attended. The only problem? Weatherby accidentally cheated in the race, and her family's motto is, "Walkers don't lie." Still, she decides not to tell anyone—and quickly comes to find that she's not the only student with a secret. Jack Hunt, a fellow seventh grader whose wealthy family owns the waterproofing company Hunt International, is also hiding a cheating incident, but he's from a family whose motto is, "If you can't get to the top, get to the top anyway." Paired as sailing partners, Jack and Weatherby are soon tapped as candidates for the Last Heir, a secret society. When funds for the annual class trip to Hart Isle are stolen and initiation gambits send them on an investigation, both are desperate to uncover the truth—Jack, because he fears his uncle's involvement, and Weatherby, because her dad's childhood journal details a life-changing trip to Hart Isle with a critical page missing. Told from Jack and Weatherby's alternating perspectives, this is a layered, atmospheric mystery that effectively combines prep school intrigue, environmental issues, sports competition, and explorations of class privilege. The almost otherworldly setting of Hart Isle captivates, and the ending sets up a sequel that readers will be eager to devour. Weatherby and Jack are both cued as white. VERDICT This is an Inheritance Games–style mystery perfect for middle school readers.—Elizabeth Giles

APRIL 2024 - AudioFile

In this rich middle-grade mystery, narrators Nora Hunter and Pete Cross offer excellent performances that will appeal to a wide audience. Weatherby is elated when she receives a scholarship to Boston School, an exclusive private academy. But once there, she butts heads with Jack, the son of a generous alumnus. They're both selected to be candidates for the school's secret society and must solve a series of puzzles to proceed. Hunter and Cross offer unique perspectives, and listeners will experience an immersive dive into the vast world-building. The pacing of both narrators is just right, so middle-grade and possibly younger listeners can follow along. The story is filled with intrigue, thrills, and satisfying reveals. G.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2023-11-17
Through lying by omission, Weatherby earns a scholarship to an elite school, where she’s ready to use her position for the greater good.

The Boston School is proud of its sailing team. After Weatherby Walker wins a district regatta, beating Jack Hunt, who comes from one of the Boston School’s favored families, she’s offered a scholarship on the condition that she sail for the school. The only problem is, Weatherby accidentally used illegal sails that offered her an advantage. She decides not to admit her mistake; she’s desperate to attend Boston, her late, estranged father’s alma mater—especially since someone recently anonymously mailed her father’s old school journal to her. This is just the start of the mysteries and revelations to come, including ones that lay bare her family’s history and connections and deceptions by powerful people, all of which threaten ecological disaster. Everyone’s lying about something—and some of the lies are deadly. Last Heir, the Boston School’s elite secret society, seems designed to support corruption, indoctrinating generations of students and making them complicit. The chapters alternate between Weatherby’s and Jack’s perspectives; they’re both sympathetic characters from whom there’s much to learn about friendship and trust. This first entry in a new series sets up a solid premise, with white leads Weatherby and Jack and their somewhat racially diverse schoolmates confronting a powerful system. What happens next is left to be revealed in the sequel.

Absorbing intrigue with a cliffhanger ending. (Mystery. 9-13)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159412140
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/06/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	1,093,450
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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