The Truth of Me

Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal–winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, weaves a poignant story that celebrates how our unique "small truths" make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.

When Robbie spends the summer at his grandmother Maddy's house, he revels in his grandmother's easy, relaxed ways. Robbie has always felt as if something is missing in his life—his parents don't always act like they love him. Maddy helps him understand that an experience his mother had long ago is at the heart of the problem in his family. With this knowledge, Robbie finds the courage to try to make things right.

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book

New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

This gentle, heartfelt novel is a story of finding your voice when you feel unheard.

• A Grandmother and Grandson Story: Robbie discovers a world of love and understanding with his grandmother Maddy, a woman who shares cornbread with bears and teaches him the power of his own "small truths."
• Coming of Age: A quiet, poignant summer story about a boy learning to navigate the difficult emotions that come with feeling lonely in his own family.
• Emotional Healing: When Robbie learns why his musician mother is so distant, he begins a journey to mend the quiet hurt that has shaped their lives.
• Gentle Middle Grade Fiction: A heartfelt book perfect for middle grade readers that explores what it means to be brave and speak your own truth, even to the people you love most.

When Robbie and his dog, Ellie, spend the summer at his grandmother Maddy's house, Robbie revels in his grandmother's easy, relaxed ways, such as eating doughnuts once for dinner. Robbie understands there's something missing in his everyday life with his parents, but he doesn't know what it is.

Maddy makes Robbie's parents nervous, which is one of the reasons Robbie likes Maddy. He likes her stories and the way wild animals come right up to her, without any fear. Maddy helps Robbie find "the truth of me." The truth has to do with something that happened to his mother a long time ago. And it helps Robbie realize what he's really missing and gives him the confidence to make things right.

This poignant story from beloved author Patricia MacLachlan celebrates how our unique "small truths" make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.

Praise for Kindred Souls: “MacLachlan handles a familiar theme with grace, providing a lens into an uncanny intergenerational bond, as well as the kindness and generosity of love.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Praise for Kindred Souls: “These are time-sculpted themes-the bond between a child and a grandparent, a child’s first experience of death, the comfort of continuity and connection to the natural world—and MacLachlan gives them her particular stamp of plain speaking and poetry.” - The Horn Book

Praise for Kindred Souls: “The quiet rhythms of the story and the gentle banter of the dialogue make this an ideal group read aloud, but plenty of young readers will simply find it the perfect book to curl up with on their own.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Brief but emotionally intense...MacLachlan demonstrates her mastery of elegantly unfolding a tale and gently plucking at readers’ heartstrings without taking a maudlin tone.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A spare, poetically composed tale written in short chapters perfect for beginning read-it-alone readers, this should resonate with young and old alike—and makes for a great intergenerational story to share.” - ALA Booklist

“An elegant exploration of love and familial relationships...This story is well paced and rhythmic in its dialogue, lending itself well to a group read-aloud. This is a sweet, easy chapter book that teaches children about coming to terms with their own feelings as well as accepting and appreciating others for their own “small truths.” - School Library Journal

“An elegant exploration of love and familial relationships...This story is well paced and rhythmic in its dialogue, lending itself well to a group read-aloud.” - School Library Journal