In response to three girls working on a class assignment about World War II, Marcel Delarue recounts his childhood in the French village of Mont-Saint-Martin, beginning in 1940 when France had just fallen to the Germans. At first, the war seems of little consequence to Marcel and his older brothers, Pierre and René, and they continue to play boyish pranks and make up outrageous stories, in an attempt to rate as the best liar. But then it becomes clear that French Jews are suffering when some Jewish friends of the boys’ uncle come to stay with them for a while and the boys are asked to keep some things secret. Then there’s the German soldier Marcel befriends. He’s not evil, as Marcel has been led to believe. Suddenly, it seems, no one is telling the truth anymore. Gregory Maguire uses an innocent child’s voice to tell a gripping story that deals with the nature of heroism and truth. (Ages 8-11)

The year is 1941...and France has fallen to the German army. But to Marcel and his two older brothers, Pierre and René, the war seems far away from their tiny village of Mont-Saint-Martin. They spend a happy summer fishing, playing soliers, and holding contest to see who is the biggest lier. Then the Germans occupy their village -- and Marcel and his brothers learn who is the best liar of them all.