• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 7 to 12

Open secrets are the heart of gossip—the things that no one is brave or clueless enough to ask. That is, except for Normandy Pale and her friends Dusk and Neil. They are juniors at Green Pastures Academy of Art and Applied Design, and they have no fear.

They are the Truth Commission.

But Normandy’s passion for uncovering the truth is not entirely heartfelt. The truth can be dangerous, especially when it involves her sister, Keira, her brilliant older sister, the creator of a best-selling graphic novel series, who has left college and come home under mysterious circumstances, and in complete silence.

Even for a Truth Commissioner, there are some lines that cannot be crossed …

This dryly funny, knife-sharp novel, written as "narrative nonfiction" by Normandy herself, features footnotes, illustrations and a combination mystery/love story that will capture readers from the first page.

SUSAN JUBY is the author of the critically acclaimed Getting The Girl and Another Kind Of Cowboy, as well as the bestselling Alice series (Alice, I Think; Miss Smithers; Alice MacLeod, Realist at Last) and her latest novel for adults, The Woefield Poultry Collective. After dropping out of fashion college and attaining a BA from the University of British Columbia, Susan went to work in the book industry. She holds a master’s degree in publishing. She currently lives on Vancouver Island with her husband, James, and their dog, who prefers to remain anonymous. Visit her online at susanjuby.com.

Susan Juby's profile page

• Nominated, Amy Mathers Teen Book Award
• Short-listed, Canadian Library Association - Young Adult Canadian Book Award
• Winner, Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize
• Short-listed, Stellar Book Award
• Short-listed, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year - Adult
• Winner, ALA Best Books for Young Adults

“In a tell-all, socially networked world, balancing the right to know (and use) 'the truth' against the right to privacy is both confusing and challenging. Readers will root for these engaging characters to chart a successful course through these murky waters. Hilarious, deliciously provocative and slyly thought-provoking, Juby's welcome return is bound to ignite debate.” - Kirkus Review (starred review)

“The narrative/book is smart, darkly funny, sad, and heartening as Normandy learns some hard truths, how to stand up for herself, and how to take charge of her own destiny. While there is no reconciliation in sight, there’s no doubt that the truth has set her free. A surprising, witty, and compulsive read.” - School Library Journal (starred review)

“You know how we have terms like "Dickensian?" I vote that from here on in we should also have "Jubyesque," to describe something particularly funny, offbeat and original.” - Susin Nielsen, author of the Governor General Award-winning The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen