Review Detail

For anyone whos ever exaggerated the truth to make yourself look better, The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney is a must read! Lauren Barnholdt does a great job of showing just how out of control everything can get from telling just a couple of little white lies.

Devon Delaney spent her summer at her grandmothers house where she made a fabulous new friend, Lexi. However, Devon wasnt totally honest with Lexi about her life. She told Lexi that her name was Devi, that she was the epitome of popularity at her school, and that she was dating Jared, the most popular and best-looking guy at her school. Its no big deal, right? Devon just thinks that it will make Lexi like her a little bit more, and its not like her lies will ever hurt anyone. Lexi will never find out the truth, its not like shes ever met Jared or any of the other kids at Devons school.

But to Devons complete and utter shock, Lexi flounces in on the first day of school, totally excited that shell be hanging out with Devi, the most popular girl at school. Its a mad scramble for Devon to play Devi all the time and fool Lexi into thinking that she really belongs with the A-list crowd at school. It seems that everyday she is telling more and more lies to cover up the truth about who she really is. Soon, Devon is caught up so tight in her web of lies that one wrong step could shatter her entire Devi facade. Will she be able to keep everyone fooled? Or will she be able to come clean before its too late?

This wicked funny tale is a great read that preteens will relate to and will lead older teens to reminisce about those good old days in junior high when so-called popularity was the top priority in many girls lives. Lauren Barnholdt is never condescending towards her characters and doesnt try to minimize their problems. At the same time, she shows how a true friendship can overcome even the most ridiculous lies and that being yourself is all you ever need to be.