Mostly the Honest Truth

A pitch-perfect story exploring the many meanings of family, Jody J. Little’s tough yet tender debut is perfect for fans of Leslie Connor and Katherine Paterson.

After Pop is sent back to rehab, Jane Pengilly arrives at her newest foster home determined to stick to the straight and narrow and get back to her beloved dad as soon as she can. It’s not the first time they’ve been apart, but Jane’s determined it will be the last.

Twelve days out in the boonies of Three Boulders makes Jane miss Pop more than ever. But as the days go by, she realizes that family is more than who you’re related to—and that a home can be found in the unlikeliest of places.

Mostly the Honest Truth sparkles with a fully realized supporting cast, a safe and supporting setting, and a writer whose ability to imbue her stories with love and hope marks her an author to watch.

One girl’s simple plan to reunite with her dad. One community that will change her definition of home forever.

• A Powerful Father-Daughter Story: Jane loves her Pop more than anything. But when he goes back to rehab, she has to be strong enough for both of them.
• Found Family: Arriving in the remote community of Three Boulders, Jane doesn’t want to make friends. She soon learns that the family you choose can be as real as the one you’re born into.
• A Moving Foster Care Novel: Jane is determined this will be her last foster home. She’s counting the twelve days until she can go home—but home might be more complicated than she thinks.
• Hope and Resilience: A heartfelt and honest look at dealing with a parent’s alcoholism, perfect for young readers navigating complex family situations.

“When Jane is sent to Three Boulders, she plans on being there for twelve days and getting out--she doesn’t realize how the community there will provide her with something she didn’t know she was missing. A touching and realistic look at how the disease of alcoholism can affect a family, but also how family can be found in the most unexpected places.” - Katherine Warde, Micawber's Bookstore (St. Paul, MN)

“To get to Three Boulders, turn right at the juncture of sadness and courage, keep straight to the edge of wisdom, and take the fork to understanding.  You won’t want to leave that magical place.” - Susan Patron, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Higher Power of Lucky

“Jane is an old-fashioned fix-it kid in this sweet story of folks young and old in need of what the Three Boulders stand for: forgiveness, redemption, and community.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Jane Pengilly is prickly, persistent—and an utter delight! She, and the other inhabitants of Three Boulders, will take your heart apart and put it back together again. A superb debut.” - Leslie Connor, author of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

“This upbeat tale portrays a hero’s journey that takes a community to complete.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Jane Girl and her Pop are mostly always just enough for each other, except when Pop slides into sadness and drinking and has to go into rehab and get fixed up. Jane is taken in by Officer D-for-Doris who lives outside of town in a commune.  This time, Pop does not come home anytime soon and Jane begins to make a few new friends with some of the kids, though not yielding much to the tough-but-tender foster care offered by Officer D.  But the truth of what happened the last time with Pop’s drinking ultimately comes out.  A pretty honest and accessible novel about alcoholism for the older elementary reader told richly & compellingly.” - Christy McDanold, Secret Garden Bookshop (Seattle, WA)

“Fans of Danielle Davis’ Zinnia and the Bees will fall in love with Jody Little’s tale about a girl named Jane and her quest for home. After a nighttime accident, Jane’s father is ordered a mandatory twelve days of rehab. During this, Officer D takes her to live temporarily in Three Boulders, a small community and Officer D’s home. It is there that Jane discovers more than she ever thought possible, including the ability to tell the ‘honest truth’. In a setting that fills a bit like summer camp, the author explores topics such as: foster care, family addiction, friendship, and the feeling of finding your people.” - Jen Pino, Vroman's Bookstore (Pasadena, CA)

“Jane finds herself in foster care while her father spends another stint in rehab and she’s determined not to make friends with anyone because this is the last time they’ll be apart. As days go by and she settles into Three Boulders, Jane realizes that family is more than your relatives - it’s who stands by you when needed. Wonderful characters and authentic voices make this story one for all to share.” - Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston, TX)