Nothing but the Truth by Avi
"Nothing but the Truth" by Avi is a thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of truth, misunderstandings, and the consequences of one's actions through the lens of a high school student's experience. The central character, Philip Malloy, dreams of joining the track team but faces academic challenges in his English class, taught by Miss Narwin. Instead of addressing his issues directly, Philip decides to disrupt the homeroom routine during the national anthem, leading to escalating confrontations with Miss Narwin and school authorities. His actions spark a chain reaction involving community members, media coverage, and national attention, highlighting the impact of half-truths and misinformation.
The story deftly weaves together various perspectives, examining the roles of ambition, authority, and societal expectations. As the narrative unfolds, readers witness how Philip's struggle for recognition and his father's responses reflect broader themes of patriotism and educational values. The novel is recognized as a Newbery Honor Book, celebrated for its engaging storytelling and the way it encourages readers to critically evaluate the information presented to them. Avi's skillful use of documents and dialogue invites an interactive reading experience, making it a modern classic that resonates with diverse audiences.
Subject Terms
Nothing but the Truth by Avi
First published: 1991
Subjects: Coming-of-age, education, politics and law, and social issues
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Social realism
Time of work: The early 1990’s
Recommended Ages: 10-15
Locale: Harrison Township, New Hampshire
Principal Characters:
Philip Malloy , a ninth-grade studentBen Malloy , Philip’s fatherMrs. Malloy , Philip’s motherMargaret Narwin , an English teacher at Harrison High SchoolCoach Earl Jamison , the track coachDr. Albert Seymour , the school superintendentDr. Gertrude Doane , the principal of Harrison High SchoolDr. Joseph Palleni , the assistant principalTed Griffen , a neighbor of the Malloys who is running for election to the school boardJennifer Stewart , the education reporter for theManchester Record
Form and Content
Philip Malloy’s dream is to join Coach Jamison’s track team. Unfortunately, he is ineligible for the team because of his low grade in Miss Narwin’s English class. Philip is further upset when he learns that Miss Narwin is to be his new homeroom teacher. Rather than sit down and talk with Miss Narwin as Coach Jamison suggests, Philip hatches a plan that he thinks will get him transferred out of both Miss Narwin’s homeroom and her English class. During homeroom, when school policy dictates that students are to “stand at respectful silent attention” during the playing of the national anthem, Philip loudly hums along. When Miss Narwin reprimands Philip, he insists that his previous homeroom teacher allowed him to hum along because of his patriotic feelings. When her attempts to talk to Philip lead nowhere, Miss Narwin sends him to the principal’s office. Philip asserts to Dr. Joseph Pelleni, the assistant principal, that he has a patriotic desire to sing the national anthem during homeroom. The next day, Philip again hums along and is sent to the principal’s office; he is given a two-day suspension from school for his failure to follow stated rules. Philip maintains to his mother that Miss Narwin dislikes him and that the whole situation is her fault.
Philip’s parents are easily led to believe that Miss Narwin is to blame. Philip’s father is under pressure at work to be more productive. He is frustrated by needing his job and being unable to protest his supervisor’s demeaning attitude. Philip’s treatment at school provides an arena in which Mr. Malloy can find vindication. Philip’s assertions that his teacher is against patriotism motivate his father to take the story to his next-door neighbor, Ted Griffen, a candidate for a seat on the local school board.
Mr. Griffen is quite responsive to Mr. Malloy’s tale of woe about the schools. When he learns that Miss Narwin refused to allow Philip to sing the national anthem in class, he is easily convinced that this is another example of eroding community morals and the folly of allowing the free-thinking intellectual elite to run the schools. Mr. Griffen cites the incident in speeches to several community groups.
Through Ted Griffen, Jennifer Stewart, the education reporter from the Manchester Record, the newspaper of the state capital, learns about Philip’s case and contacts him for an interview. Mr. Griffen and Mr. Malloy dominate the interview to make sure that Philip’s story comes out in full detail. Unfortunately, their version contains many errors. Jennifer Stewart does cross check her story with the school superintendent, Dr. Albert Seymour, and Dr. Gertrude Doane, the principal of Harrison High School, who refers her to Dr. Pelleni, the assistant principal. The story becomes more confused as the reporter checks her facts with Dr. Pelleni and Miss Narwin, as both are inexperienced at dealing with reporters.
When the newspaper article appears, it precipitates conversations among the school administrators and others. As one group tries to iron out a uniform story, others interpolate even wilder conclusions. Ted Griffen cites the newspaper article in more speeches, and finally a news media wire service picks up an abbreviated version of the newspaper story. A national talk show picks up the case from the wire service and begins to discuss it with telephone callers. National newspapers hear of the story and begin telephoning Harrison, New Hampshire, as they prepare their versions. A patriotic group in another state sends a telegram of condemnation to Miss Narwin, while another sends congratulations and a pledge of support to Philip. Letters from around the country are sent to the major players of the story. Some call for banning Miss Narwin from teaching.
Under pressure from the school board, school administrators meet and try to effect a cooling off of the situation. Philip is transferred to another homeroom and then another English class. When he tries to raise his English grade by doing extra work, he discovers that this is impossible because he is no longer in Miss Narwin’s class. Coach Jamison tells Philip that sports is all about being a team player and that it is his fault he is not on the team. Miss Narwin is asked about retirement and then is offered a leave of absence until the next year. Ted Griffen is elected to the school board. Philip’s parents decide to enroll him in a private school. Unfortunately, the private school has no track team.
Critical Context
Nothing but the Truth was designated one of two Newbery Honor Books by the American Library Association in 1992, as a runner-up for the best book for young people published in the previous year. If notable fiction for young adults is supposed to challenge them to think about important issues, this book could well have warranted the medal itself. The plot is a masterpiece of clever construction, without extraneous elements. The author weaves a complex set of story threads into a powerful tale that is accessible, intriguing, and fast-paced. The significant theme of half truths leading to perdition marks this book as a modern classic.
Avi’s work is quite varied, including historical adventures such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (1990), which was also a Newbery Honor Book; historical mysteries; contemporary comedies; and fantasies. Unlike many of his other works, which have a strong sense of period and a sweeping narrative style, Nothing but the Truth operates in a dramatic mode, presenting documents for the reader to interpret. The author never steps in and tells the reader what to think of the characters or theme. The book is quite easy to read, but it demands attention to the facts and sharp inferential reasoning if the subtle ironies strewn through it are to be appreciated.