The Honest Truth

About this book

A story of a boy, his dog, and the mountains they face together.

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.

Reviews

Praise for The Honest Truth:

An Amazon.com Best Book of the Month (February)
A Kids' Indie Next Pick (Winter '14-'15)

*"An emotionally hard-hitting survival story... a gripping page-turner." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A heartbreaking, moving novel that makes you want to embrace the boy at its center and hold him close." -- Holly Goldberg Sloan, New York Times bestselling author of Counting by 7s

"Debut author Gemeinhart has pulled off an impressive combination of suspenseful adventure thriller and cancer narrative... Touching but unsentimental, this is a deeply moving adventure." -- Booklist

"Gemeinhart presents a rousingly riveting two-hanky read." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Writer/librarian Dan Gemeinhart has taken great care to craft a believable and poignant tale of steely resolve and undying friendship. Reluctant readers will especially enjoy the forward-moving adventure, and dog lovers will be thrilled with this truly magnificent tale of “boy loves dog” (and vice versa)... an outstanding debut novel." -- Bookpage

"Gemeinhart... has crafted an extraordinary story about savoring life and exploring the meanings of strength." -- Alaska Airlines Magazine