Orithian Haley doesn’t remember his real father and he resents the fact that his mother stopped answering his questions about his real dad when she remarried and started a new family. “Rith’s” efforts to just get along as best he can go a little weird when he starts waking up in the middle of the night to an alternate reality that ultimately helps him deal with the truth about who he really is and who his father was. Circle the Truth is a fairly short but compelling read, with interesting characters (although the ending a little pat). It does ask interesting questions about the nature of truth, reality, spirituality and religion (ala Skellig perhaps?). Recommended. Would be an interesting book discussion choice. ( )

I'm becoming a bit of a fan of Pat Schmatz. I've read two of her books now and both times they have been very easy to become absorbed in - simple without lacking substance.

I was surprised when this book suddenly looked like becoming fantasy. And then it began to look more like a cutesy Highway to Heaven type of story. In the end it wasn't quite either, despite the rather too-neat ending. It was an interesting journey and a believable mystery. I enjoyed the interesting way of exploring a concept without trying to resolve anything. ( )

Synopsis: Orithian Haley does not know much about his deceased father, except that he loved mountains and chose Rith's name. Fighting with his step-father, Rith discovers that on some nights the carpeted staircase in his house changes into a wooden spiral staircase leading down to a fireplace with an old man sitting on the hearth. The old man is accompanied by a gray cat and does not talk to Rith, but quotes from the Bible. Not big on religion, Rith is still drawn to the old man's words and sets out to figure out the truths of the world and the reality of his heritage.

This was an interesting YA novel that is part fantasy, part theology, and part philosophy. The main theme is truth and the reality of the world we live in. This book could generate some good discussion for older readers. Recommended. ( )

Orithian Haley doesn’t remember his real father and he resents the fact that his mother stopped answering his questions about his real dad when she remarried and started a new family. “Rith’s” efforts to just get along as best he can go a little weird when he starts waking up in the middle of the night to an alternate reality that ultimately helps him deal with the truth about who he really is and who his father was. Circle the Truth is a fairly short but compelling read, with interesting characters (although the ending a little pat). It does ask interesting questions about the nature of truth, reality, spirituality and religion (ala Skellig perhaps?). Recommended. Would be an interesting book discussion choice. ( )