The Honest Truth

The Honest Truth is a middle-grade coming-of-age novel by Dan Gemeinhart, a former elementary school teacher and librarian who won the Parents’ Choice Award Gold Medal for another one of his five novels. The book was published on January 23, 2015. The novel incorporates drama and a bit of poetry to narrate the story of twelve-year-old protagonist Mark who has spent most of his life in hospitals receiving cancer treatments. Now, Mark takes his fate into his own hands: He will run away from home, climb a mountain, and—along the way—learn lessons about himself and his place in the world. This guide uses the 2016 Scholastic Press paperback edition.

Plot Summary

Mark and his mutt, Beau, run away from home and board a train to Seattle. The doctors recently confirmed that his cancer has returned, but Mark decides to begin a different mission: climb to the top of Mt. Rainier without anyone’s help. In Seattle, he orders dinner in a dingy diner. He develops a splitting headache, reluctantly swallows his prescription pills, and slowly eats his food. Unfortunately, the medications weaken Mark’s stomach, and he vomits his meal in the bathroom. The waitress, who notices that Mark lacks supervision and hears him get sick, offers to help him, but her concern only angers Mark.