The Honest Truth

The honest truth by Dan Gemeinhart is a book about hope and persevering against all the odds. Mark is a 12-year old boy with a loyal dog called Beau. His best friend is a girl named Jessie. This book is about his decision to climb Mt. Rainier, a promise that he had made to his grandfather on the latter’s deathbed. 

However, his dream is more difficult to achieve compared to other kids since he has cancer! He has fought the disease ravaging his body more than once since the age of five. When his most recent test results show that it has relapsed, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He resolves to climb Mt. Rainier alone, knowing fully well that he may not live to complete the journey. His dog Beau accompanies him on this mission. 

The book begins with Mark running away from home. Mark deliberately misleads his parents since he knows that they would not approve of his plan. The situation is presented from both Mark’s and Jessie’s perspectives. Though Jessie guesses Mark’s intentions, she is honour-bound not to reveal his whereabouts to his parents, who are worried sick when they realise that he is missing. 

His journey to Seattle, his trip to Mt. Rainier itself, the trials he and Beau undergo during the climb and the unexpected kindness that he receives from strangers are well-portrayed. His bravery and determination to reach his goal despite many obstacles, both natural and man-made, are depicted well. Some of the experiences on his trip are intense and scary and could have discouraged a less determined soul. Also, Beau’s loyalty to Mark throughout the book is touching.

The writing style is easy to understand and depicts the children’s emotions and conflicts well. Mark’s mental strength overcomes his body’s weakness to handle the challenges he faces in his quest to reach the mountain’s peak. This emotional and compelling tale must be read by every child who has a dream and is willing to work hard to achieve it. With the right amount of effort, anything is possible!

So how does the book end? What happens to Mark and Beau? Do they reach the top of Mt. Rainier? Does Jessie keep his secret? Does Mark live to tell his tale? 

Read the book to get the full story!