Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire [Library Binding]

Gordon Korman (Author), Joann Adinolfi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997 | Age Level: 7 and up

Not wanting to lie but fearing she will have nothing to say if she fails to add color to her stories, Zoe Bent finally discovers a unique talent that helps her break her bad habit."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The third-grade narrator lies to make herself seem special?which only leads to more fibs. Ages 7-9.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?In Korman's latest offering, the title's familiar childhood taunt is directed at Zoe Bent, the biggest liar in Mrs. Moore's third-grade class. Zoe feels as though she needs to invent a fantastic explanation for being late to school and claims to have an eagle's nest in her backyard to impress her classmates. Her lies inevitably lead to telling more lies to cover up earlier ones. As a result, no one believes her when she is telling the truth. With the help of a friend, Zoe eventually realizes that she has a special gift?a great imagination. The message that everyone is special in their own way is a bit heavy-handed, but it is, nonetheless, a message that children cannot hear too often. Korman's language is colloquial and humorous. Zoe often makes exaggerated statements, such as "Principal's letters were automatic bad news. It was a law." Adinolfi's illustrations feature flat, often skewed perspectives and expressive, stylized figures that enhance the quality of the book.?Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Library Binding: 84 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade; 1st edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590271423
• ISBN-13: 978-0590271424
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,841,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gordon Korman has written more than fifty middle-grade and teen novels. Favorites include the New York Times #1 bestseller The 39 Clues: One False Note, The Juvie Three, Son of the Mob, Born to Rock, and Schooled. Though he didn't play football in high school, Gordon's been a lifelong fan and season ticket holder. He says, "I've always been fascinated by the 'culture of collision' in football and wanted to explore it-not just from the highlight films but from its darker side as well." Gordon lives with his family on Long Island, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIES, December 20, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire (Paperback)

The Girl Who Lies

By

Trey

The book I read is called Liar Liar Pants On Fire. This book is about Zoey who lies so much that no one believes her even if she tries to tell the truth. After reading the book I think if you lie too much eventually no one will believe you ever again, but if you tell the truth people will believe you. Zoey changes a lot because in the beginning Zoey lies and in the end she stops because her friend comes over and sees that she is telling the truth. Before I read Liar Liar Pants on Fire I thought if you lied no one will believe you ever again. Now I think if you just tell the truth kids will start to believe you again. I recommend this book to boy and girls in 2 grade because it will teach the person not to lie, self to text to the middle kid in the family like an 8 or 7 year old.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable lession, I fib you not, March 30, 2010

By 

Steven R. McEvoy "MCWPP" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire (Paperback)

Zoe Bent is a liar, and finding life in the 3rd grade very hard. Soon her fibs have turned her whole class against her, and she is feeling frustrated. It has reached a point that even when she tells the truth no one believes her. But she lies because she thinks she has nothing to say; other children wear better clothes, are great at art, are stronger, and she thinks telling big tales will be the only way she can get attention. However, she soon realizes that fibbing is making her life more and more complicated.

This is a great book for young children, in part because children do not need to be taught to lie - most just do it at some point. But this book will teach them the implications about becoming known as a liar. It also teaches them that what matters most is what is inside them not what they say or do. Therefore it is a great book with a valuable lesson.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Gordon Korman is running out of ideas, June 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire (Paperback)

While there are a few inspired moments in this Gordon Korman book, it doesn't come close to his masterpieces such as The War with Mr. Wizzle, I Want to Go Home! or Who is Bugs Potter? While Korman can write for younger readers, this story doesn't have the necessary flair to keep even the most beginning reader's attention. Very predictable and lacking the creative humor of Korman's other works.