Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell A Lie (Hardcover)

by Joe Hayes (Author), Joseph Daniel Fiedler (Illustrator) "ONE LATE SUMMER DAY a group of wealthy rancheros was gathered on the village plaza, joking and laughing and discussing events on their ranches..." (more)
Key Phrases: other ranchers, Juan Verdades

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Hayes (A Spoon for Every Bite) offers a Hispanic setting for his smooth retelling of a traditional tale about a steadfastly honest servant. On a ranch owned by don Ignacio, a spectacular apple tree flourishes under the conscientious care of the foreman, Juan Verdades, who reports daily to the rancher on the condition of his beloved tree. When a fellow rancher, don Arturo, boasts that he can make Juan tell a lie, don Ignacio replies, "I'll bet my ranch against yours that you can't make my foreman lie to me." Using his daughter as a pawn, don Arturo hatches a plot to win his wager, but things don't go quite as he anticipated. Though the subtitle leaves little doubt as to the resolution of the bet, Hayes's flowing plot, enlivened by several wry twists, is decidedly satisfying. Spanish words and phrases dot the characters' dialogue, enhancing the regional flavor. Fiedler's (The Crystal Heart) spare, earth-toned paintings convey the particulars of the setting from traditional garb to the sprawling landscapes as well as the timelessness of folklore. Ages 7-10.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Gr 2-5-Don Ignacio, a wealthy rancher and owner of the finest apple tree in the area, implicitly trusts his foreman, Juan Valdez. When a friend claims that no employee should be trusted, don Ignacio declares openly that Juan can't tell a lie and in fact has been nicknamed Juan Verdades because of his honesty. Don Arturo then bets his entire ranch that he can get the man to tell a lie. Beautiful Araceli, don Arturo's daughter, schemes with her father to win the wager. When Juan falls in love with her, she asks him to bring her all the fruit from the prized tree. The man does as she asks but must then face his employer. The clever conclusion proves just how truthful Juan is. Hayes's retelling of this tale is masterful and he manages to introduce several Spanish words without disturbing the flow of the text. The full-page paintings capture a distinct landscape and costume and convey the quiet drama of the story. Their dark jewel tones lend a brooding atmosphere, in keeping with the midsection of the tale. As a read-aloud, this story would be likely to evoke some lively discussion about honesty, and right and wrong.

Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orchard; 1st edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439293111
• ISBN-13: 978-0439293112
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #507,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The man who couldn't tell a lie book review, May 23, 2007

A Kid's Review

Have you ever done something horrible and had to think of something so the person wouldn't think you were responsible? Well Juan Verdades did.
There is a plot on Juan saying that he can't ever tell a llie and this other man and his daughter thinks they can make him tell a lie. Juan is a worker for Don on his ranch. He tends to the cattle and Don's wonderful apple tree. Don is the owner of the ranch that Juan works at. This story is set in mexico how I know that is that they speak spanish. This is a fiction story that has been retold by Joe Hayes. Joe Hayes really used some good descriptive words to get a picture in your mind. I would recommend ths book to young adults and little kids because its a fun book.
All in all "the man who couldn't tell a lie" was written very well for both young adults and kids in kindergarden threw first grade. The book has a very interesting ending and I think you would enjoy reading it to.

4.0 out of 5 stars Juan Verdades The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie , May 22, 2007

A Kid's Review

Juan Verdades The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie by Joe Hayes is an excellent story. THe end will be a surprise to anyone who reads it. Hayes did an awsome job at creating an unsuspected twist at the end. This story is realsitic fiction. It takes place in the Western country of the U.S. during the late 1800's and early 1900's. It was so good I couldn't stop reading.
Juan Verdades The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie is about a wealthy rancher, don Ignacio, who had a fine apple tree on his land, which is cared by a foreman, Juan Verdades, who couldn't tell a lie. But a friend of don Ingacio, Don Arturo, made a bet with don Ignacio that the foreman would lie to him. In time, Juan is tempted by Don Arturo's daughter to steal all of the apples from the fine apple tree, and he does because she is so pretty. Will Juan tell a lie to don Ignacio about stealing the apples?
Even though this book is meant for kids, the story has a powerful meaning. The meaning I am talking about is to never lie. Joe Hayes shows and tells this meaning in a very exciting way through this story. Juan Verdades THe Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie is great for all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Telling the Truth, March 4, 2004

By	Erika Mitchell (E. Calais, VT USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Juan Verdades is the foreman on a ranch. The owner of the ranch places a bet with another rancher that Verdades will never lie. He places the whole ranch on the line. The other rancher then sends his daughter to live with the first rancher and beguile Juan. The daughter succeeds in getting Juan to give her the apples from the owner's favorite tree. When Juan is called on the carpet in front of the two owners and questioned about where the apples went, he says that a fool picked them, and admits that he was that fool. Juan is eventually rewarded for his honesty by getting a ranch and the beguiling daughter. In addition to the moral lessons about truth and gambling, there is also some potential for learning about the life of yesteryear in New Mexico. The book is rather long, with about 2400 words, suitable for older kids.