WHITE LIES

With a traumatic past and a difficult home life, a teen girl searches for a place to belong.

Bad things always happen around Missy’s birthday—a few years ago her younger brother died, and last year her mother was arrested and sent to prison—so now she dreads her approaching 16th birthday. Her neglectful father abuses alcohol and drugs; she refers to him as Trick when he’s sober and Treat when he’s not. Nearly every day Missy escapes into a nearby vintage toy store where she assists the owner, Renshu Lin. In addition to Ren, who provides her a safe space, Missy has several supportive adults in her life—her psychiatrist, Dr. Tandalay; Priscilla, a social services counselor; and Miss Maalouf, a janitor at school. Missy also connects with Luke, a fellow student whose mom is also in prison, and a touch of romance blooms in between their rapid banter. As Missy faces her past, a whirlwind climax leads to an ultimately hopeful ending. Despite her parents’ cruelty, Missy shines through her kind deeds and care for others (even if they’re sometimes misguided). Her snarky voice comes across as authentic and redeems the uneven plot. Missy is White; Luke’s father is cued as Native, and his mother is French Canadian. There is some racial diversity among secondary characters.

A heartfelt story.