The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor

'In this sensitively written novel, Connor introduces a learning-disabled 12-year-old who will warm readers' hearts and earn their respect with his honesty and compassion. But will anyone believe him National Book Award Finalist * ALA Schneider Family Book Award * 2019 ALSC Notable Children's Book * Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 * 2019-2020 Nebraska Golden Sower Award * Amazon Best Books of 2018 * Kirkus Best of Children's 2018 * New York Public Library Best Books 2018 * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2018 * 2018 Nerdy Book Club Middle Grade Winner * South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee * 2020 Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee * Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2019 (9-12) * 2020 Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee * 2020-2021 Missouri Association of School Librarians Mark Twain Readers Award Preliminary Nominee * 2020-2021 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee *

He's desperate to figure out what happened to Calvin and, eventually, Benny. When Calvin goes missing, Mason finds himself in trouble again. Both Mason and his new friend, tiny Calvin Chumsky, are relentlessly bullied by the other boys in their neighborhood, so they create an underground haven for themselves. An investigation drags on, and Mason, honest as the day is long, can't understand why Lieutenant Baird won't believe the story Mason has told about that day. Fifteen months ago, Mason's best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family's orchard. Mason's learning disabilities are compounded by grief. Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write.

Cook, Leslie Connor, comes a deeply poignant and beautifully crafted story about self-reliance, redemption, and hope.

From the critically acclaimed author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T.

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor