In all the ways that matter, Mark is a normal kid. He's got a dog named Beau and a best friend, Jessie. He likes to take photos and write haiku poems in his notebook. He dreams of climbing a mountain one day.
But in one important way, Mark is not like other kids at all. Mark is sick. The kind of sick that means hospitals. And treatments. The kind of sick some people never get better from.
So Mark runs away. He leaves home with his camera, his notebook, his dog, and a plan to reach the top of Mount Rainier--even if it's the last thing he ever does.
The Honest Truth is a rare and extraordinary novel about big questions, small moments, and the incredible journey of the human spirit.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
Poignant and Uplifting; A Novel for All Ages ...
By delicateflower152
Dan Gemeinhart’s “The Honest Truth” is a poignant, uplifting novel. Its focus on a youth courageously battling a potentially terminal illness, his deep friendship and trust in a classmate, and his love of both his family and his faithful dog will resonate with every reader.Ill since the age of five, Mark is tired of the treatments, hospitals, and his outlook for survival. A sensitive, intelligent youth, Mark expresses his feelings through haiku and through photography. Determined to keep a promise he made to his deceased grandfather, he sets out, with his dog Beau and without telling his parents, to summit Mt. Rainier. Only his best friend Jessie has any inkling of what Mark may be attempting. “The Honest Truth” is the story of Mark’s determination to achieve one result and of his change of heart when facing his goal.Chapters alternate between those that Mark narrates and “half” chapters that focus on Jessie’s dilemma as she must choose between betraying Mark’s trust and doing what she knows is the right thing to do. This technique creates a very personal picture of Mark while distancing Jessie from the more emotional aspect of the narrative. As a result, Mark’s feelings and reactions are emphasized without Jessie’s role detracting from the focus of the novel.It is evident that Dan Gemeinhart is familiar with and knowledgeable about ‘tweens, their emotions and their thoughts. Each narrative seems authentic; each emotion real; and each reaction true-to-life. It is impossible to read “The Honest Truth” without becoming involved in the story and without experiencing the same heartaches and triumphs as the characters.“The Honest Truth” is a book for all and not just the target audience of 8 – 12 years of age. It is a five-star novel.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.Haunting and beautiful story
By Divascribe
This beautiful, heartbreaking book tells the story of 12-year-old Mark, who's been fighting cancer for the past seven years -- more than half his life -- and has grown tired of the endless round of doctors and treatments. So he runs away with his dog Beau to climb Mount Rainier -- a difficult physical task for anyone, much less a boy weakened by cancer treatment.The book is told mostly in Mark's voice, but his story is interspersed with reflections by his best friend, Jess, who has to decide whether to keep silent about where he has gone. Mark veers between anger at his illness and determination to overcome his physical limitations.The strongest relationship in this book is between Mark and Beau, who stays with him through some pretty awful experiences. Beau may be small, but he has the heart of a big dog and a love for Mark that won't quit.There is sadness in this book, but I wouldn't call it a tragedy. Rather, it is the triumph of the human spirit that fuels this story. Mark, tempered by years of suffering, is wise beyond his age and determined to do this one amazing thing -- climb a mountain -- even if it's the last thing he ever does. The mountain is both a literal challenge and a metaphor for Mark's struggles with cancer.I would recommend this book for age 10 and up, and that includes adults.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.Beautifully-written
By Z Hayes
There is not one thing I disliked about this novel (well, perhaps the fact that the main character had to battle a terminal illness) – it is a beautifully-rendered story that tugs at the heartstrings, frustrates, inspires, and remains entrenched in one’s heart long after the last page has been turned.Battling terminal cancer, twelve-year-old Mark plans to summit Mt. Rainier, to fulfill a promise he made to his now deceased grandfather. Mark runs away with his faithful pooch Beau. Mark’s best friend Jessie, who knows Mark’s destination, faces a conundrum: does she spill the beans as to Mark’s whereabouts, or doesn’t she?The author is a debut novelist, and writes in an assured manner. It helps that the story unfolds in short chapters, making this an easy read for middle grade readers, even as it tackles some heavy themes. The denouement when it comes, is not altogether unexpected, but the story is well-told and with a protagonist that most will want to root for, this story is definitely worth a read.
