Synopsis: No matter what Antonia does her mother thinks she is wrong. Her sisters are unbearably good, her father doesn't seem to care and Ant just can't help lying about everything.

Review: This is a funny and closely observed book on the theme of a nearly-teenager coming to terms with herself and her family. The only good things in Antonia's life are her dog, Pistachio, and her best friend, Harrison. It's tough being the middle child and for 12 year old Antonia MacPherson - Ant to friends- it seems the toughest thing in the world. Sandwiched between sisters like "Your Highness Elizabeth" and younger sibling "Katherine the Great", life is not exactly great for Ant. She's clever and she uses her brilliant lying strategies to get out of trouble. Sadly, and predictably, the lies come back to haunt her and cause even more trouble. She writes notes to her "real parents" and tells people at school she's adopted. When a hip and kindly teacher sees the truth about Ant and her lies things may very well change...

2008-03-07