The Honest Truth — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A bold new voice in children's fiction debuts with this story of a boy, his dog, and the mountains they face together.
The Honest Truth joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!
It's never too late for the adventure of a lifetime.
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. 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 one incredible journey.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Honest Truth appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book includes scenes of violence where the protagonist, Mark, is beaten and mugged by a gang of young thugs. This incident is significant to the plot as it affects Mark's journey. The violence is described as serious, impacting the character's experience. While the book deals with serious themes such as illness and survival, there are no genuinely frightening elements that would cause fear or distress to readers. The content is emotional but not scary.
Does The Honest Truth have violence?
The book includes scenes of violence where the protagonist, Mark, is beaten and mugged by a gang of young thugs. This incident is significant to the plot as it affects Mark's journey. The violence is described as serious, impacting the character's experience.
Does The Honest Truth have scary content?
While the book deals with serious themes such as illness and survival, there are no genuinely frightening elements that would cause fear or distress to readers. The content is emotional but not scary.
Does The Honest Truth have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. The search results reference reviews and discussions but do not indicate any religious practices, beliefs, or themes in the narrative.
Does The Honest Truth have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes or discussions are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any focus on race as a central theme or plot point.
Does The Honest Truth have profanity?
No profanity is reported in the book. The search results do not indicate any use of swear words or inappropriate language within the narrative.
Does The Honest Truth have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any focus on environmental issues or activism within the narrative.
Does The Honest Truth have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in the book. The narrative focuses on a young boy's journey and struggles with cancer, without any mention of sexual themes or situations.
Does The Honest Truth have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. The narrative centers on a young boy's experience and does not promote or challenge traditional gender expectations.
Does The Honest Truth have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the book's narrative. The search results focus on reviews and general discussions that do not pertain to the content of 'The Honest Truth.'
