And yes, L&S has a twist (two, in fact), which makes this book all the more potently affective (yes, with an “a”). The best character in the book was Safer…he provided the most laughs, and he “plays” the spy “game” so much better than Georges that we literally believe him (as does Georges), thus setting us up for Twist #1.

Twist #2 (mom in hospital) is so reminiscent of Bruce Willis’s Sixth Sense: You think you understood what you just read (or watched) throughout the whole story, but now you have to go back though it all and re-experience it in an entirely different light to understand what was actually going on in this story: a boy is coping with his loss of his mother (though temporarily), much as Bruce Willis was actually coping with his own death (while we never even realized it all along…..). Two very similarly mind-warping & reality shifting experiences. I very much liked that about L&S, and it did its Twist-thing SO well that I won’t be surprised if it receives an Honor. But if it wins the Medal, I’ll be quite a bit surprised….something even better out there deserves the 2013 Medal instead.

I acknowledge that and admit that it’s my own personal hurdle I can’t get over. I just can’t help it.

1) Sam said he disliked “that bit that’s one of those scenes where everyone gets together and hatches a plan…except that the reader doesn’t get to know what the plan is, for no narrative reason other than to artificially induce some suspense” I too completely hate that type of suspense-creation, but when I re-read the book I realized a) it lasts precisely 6 pages (some of which are largely white space), and b) Stead actually reveals the plan (by means of Bob English’s note) prior to it being carried out, which, for me at least, greatly mitigates the problem.

2) Completely agree with what everyone had to say about Stead’s mastery of language and theme. Practically every line of the book seethes with extra meanings and ideas, once you know the ending – but it is never oppressive or un-subtle.

Just an amazing book.

I award myself 10 points for finding information, but only ten because the only source is Wikipedia.

I keep running into real world things like security cameras phonetic spelling and tastebuds, causing me to pause and try and remember where I’d just read about them. This book is packed with fun without feeling cluttered.

Newbery Trivia: There was a time when a book could not win the medal if the author had previously won. I’m not sure the year that changed. 20 points to whoever can supply it.

I really would prefer if we could stop talking about WYRM, but since various people have been comparing them, I’ll just say (very briefly) that I think FIRST LIGHT is better than either of the other two.

Any question of there being a “twist” in LIAR & SPY is marketing, no more, no less, and has nothing to do with the book.

That said, one thing Rebecca Stead does exceptionally well is create believable, realistic, and incredibly quirky kid characters. This is a good book. It’s well written. For me, it doesn’t rise above the pack.

I was thinking more about Splendors & Glooms. I think part of why it came across as “boring” was how much she tells about the adults, that the kids don’t know. It destroys any sense of suspense. Although I didn’t guess how Parse lost his finger, I wasn’t even slightly surprised. We knew all along that Grisini and Cassandra had magic, and that Grisini was with Cassandra, so we weren’t the least bit surprised when he turned up. I think that was a flaw in plotting.

Now, Rebecca Stead doesn’t do that. She keeps it from Georges’ perspective. But somehow I don’t feel a sense of danger about Georges’ Mom. Maybe because he doesn’t visit until his mom is better?

In my case, the book definitely suffered in comparison to WYRM. The “twist” was practically nothing in comparison. In comparison with other books of the year? Maaaaybe. If I were on the committee, I’d give it another reading or two. She does write characters very well.