10% off all books and free delivery over £50
Buy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks.

Read Between the Lies

"Gripping, heartfelt story of dealing with dyslexia, family secrets and growing up"

View All Editions (1)

The selected edition of this book is not available to buy right now.
Add To Wishlist
Write A Review Read An Extract

LoveReading Says

LoveReading Says

Alternating between the engaging narratives of two teenage boys, Malcolm Duffy’s Read Between the Lines is a riveting, read-in-one-sitting page-turner, sharing insights into dyslexia as it also explores family frictions and how to support the people around you.

Soon-to-be-stepbrothers Ryan and Tommy are as different as ice-cream and cabbage. Tommy has recently been released from a young offenders’ prison, while Ryan is a piano-playing good lad who’s moved down south with his dad following his parents’ divorce. In Ryan’s words, “Don’t do cooking but hear it’s all about the blend of ingredients. Same with families. Ours is all wrong. Like ice-cream and cabbage”.

Despite their marked differences, the teenagers do have something in common — they’re both dyslexic, but have very different ways of dealing with it. Tommy’s journey through handling prejudice against his criminal past (“a single bad decision doesn’t make you bad”) and learning to read is gripping, moving and - ultimately - uplifting, as is Ryan’s dedication to teaching Tommy to read.

As Ryan’s mum announces her plan for them to move, and Tommy discovers long-buried family secrets, the perfectly-paced plot ramps up the stakes, with plenty of humour and touching moments shining through the boys’ troubles.

Joanne Owen
Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen’s lifelong love of reading and writing began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, and very much wished that witches (and Mrs Pepperpot) were real.
More reviews by Joanne Owen

About Read Between the Lies

Two very different boys, one new family, a shared struggle and a big secret. Ryan didn't want a new mum, let alone a new brother! But when his parents split up and his dad moves in with Naomi, she comes with Tommy - one year older, chucked out of his old school and now joining Ryan's class.

Read the full description

Find This Book In

Primary Genre Young Adult Fiction
Other Genres:

About

Press Reviews

You Might Also Like...

All the Pieces of Me

Libby Scott and 1 more

Paperback

In Stock

£7.19 £7.99

Can You Feel the Noise?

Stewart Foster

Paperback

In Stock

£7.19 £7.99

How to be Me

Cath Howe

Paperback

In Stock

£7.19 £7.99

Proud of Me

Sarah Hagger-Holt

Paperback

Temporarily Out Of Stock

£6.29 £6.99

Everything All At Once

Ivy Cayden

Paperback

Not Available

Frequently asked questions