SARAH AND THE NAKED TRUTH
2000, Knopf
When 10-year-old Sarah wakes up with a wad of bubble gum stuck in her hair, she has no idea how much trouble it will cause.
First, she watches as her mother cut away most of her long hair - then, pulling a baseball cap over her shorn head - she’s mistaken as a boy on her new basketball team! At least she has good friends, each of whom is facing a personal challenge of her own.
Christina fumes at being forced to represent Mexico in a school pageant despite her Salvadoran background. And Olivia, who's just arrived from Trinidad, hides a secret she's reluctant to share with even her new best friends.
Eventually, through wonderfully funny antics and many mishaps, the trio comes to realize that it's far better to be true to themselves and each other than to pose as people they're not. Sarah’s mom calls it showing the world their naked truth.
And sometimes that’s embarrassing!
Review Excerpts:
"Sarah's spunky first-person voice leavens tough issues with humor and wit. Three cheers for three brave girls!"
- Washington Parent
"The spunky ten-year-old heroine of ‘Starting School with an Enemy’ is back - and she's welcome!"
- Kirkus Reviews
"There's humor and humanity in the friendship depicted, especially in the non-reverential acceptance of disability."
- Booklist
Awards and Honors:
American Booksellers Association Kid’s Pick of the Lists
Japanese translation