Nothing But the Truth

To begin a discussion of the Bill of Rights you can use Avi's novel Nothing But the Truth. It shouldn't take more than one class period to read it aloud to fifth or sixth graders. Subtitled, "A Documentary Novel," this book is almost guaranteed to provoke discussion, certainly the incident around which it revolves did so. We follow the plot through a series of documents: memos, journal-entries, newspaper and talk show stories and written conversations as a simple incident grows. The truth, as I see it, is that a ninth grade student, annoyed by a teacher's perceived inflexibility, decides to annoy her in turn by humming the National Anthem when it is played over the loud speaker during opening exercises even though the rule states that students should "stand at respectful silent attention." The teacher, a sincere and dedicated woman, rises to the bait, and throws the kid out of her class. From then on things just grow bigger and more and more out of focus: a man running for school board grabs it as an election cause; the story is picked up by the national press; a talk show personality gets people even more roused; there are telegrams and letters to all concerned. Has free speech been violated? Whose? The results are calamitous for both teacher and student. Who's wrong?

Activities

• Create a timeline of books related to US history. How many of those books are about people whose rights were violated?

Related Areas Within Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Web Site

• Featured Author: Avi. Information on his life, books and related links.

• The Barn by Avi. Book Review.

• The Devil's Race by Avi. Book Review.

• Other Books set in Schools. Featured Subject with activities, related books and links.

Related Areas Elsewhere on the Internet

Following these links will take you off our web site. You will have to use your back button to return or, bookmark our site now so you can return anytime.

• Avi's Home Page

• Amazon.com Bookstore's listing of Avi's books.