Theme

The theme of this novel is family loyalty, friendship, first romance, abandonment, change, trust, and also, truth.

The theme is family loyalty because even though in this story, Zach's father lied and betrayed his family, his family is still trusting and holding on for him.

The theme is friendship and first romance when Zach's friend lends him helping hands and ears to listen to his own troubles

The theme is abandonment because Zach has to abandon his friends, his luxurious life and his old self

The theme is about change because Zach's eyes, hair, name, house, school had all changed

The theme is trust because Zach's true identity CANNOT be spoken to anyone, so in this story, he needs to decide who to trust and who he shouldn't trust

Last, the theme in the story is truth because everything about him is a lie. Lie, lie, lie. When will he start living in the truth again?

Zach's Lie's theme will also tell the story of those who has a solid family home, and those who do not.

Those who has lots of good friends, and those that are always alone.

And finally, it tells about those who are "new kids" that has never left their own small town.

Roland Smith

Born on November 30th, 1951 is an American author. He lived in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University.

When he was five years old, his parents gave him an old typewriter. Roland would spend almost his whole day in his room making clicking noises from his type writer. Although he can't spell well, he just love writing stories.

After he graduated from university, he had a part-time job as a zoo keeper.

It soon became a full-time job when the Animal Keeper Foreman saw him captured a bird that got out of it's cage. It was pure luck.

He worked there for 20 years and then published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue.

Because he doesn't have much time to write, he quit his job and became a full-time writer.

Other books by Roland Smith:

- Jack's Run

- I,Q

- Tentacles

- Thunder Cave

- Peak

- Elephant Run

- Jaguar

- The Last Lobo

- Sasquatch

Reflection

I found "Zach's Lie" really catchy and the idea of the story is really fresh.

I wonder how the author got the idea for this wonderful book...

Did the idea just pop into his mind, or was it something special that made him wrote this book?

I really love this story obviously because once i start reading it, it's hard for me to stop!

And I like the way the author uses journal entries and flash backs in some chapters of the story. It gives it's audience ideas of why certain event happened or how it happened.

I would recommend the book to people of all ages who loves suspense and thriller because the storyline is really easy to understand, unlike some books, they do not tend to make the storyline obvious for the readers.

Right now i am looking foward to reading "Jack's Run", the sequence of Zach's Lie.

It will certainly be wonderful too!

Genre

This book is a wonderful suspense thriller, adventure and a bit of teen romance,

suitable for readers of all ages!

Protagonists

Zach Granger/Jack Osbornes:

He is a nice little boy, also the main character. He loves writing journals and puts them in a special box. He doesn't like to lie but it's hard to not run away from his problems. Plus, he has a imaginary friend name "Commander F" which he brings everywhere in his pocket.

*Quotes:

"When we were up in the mountains, I asked you about your family and what it was like in Portland. I was trying to learn something about you, but every time i brought the subject up you changed it."

Zach didn't want to lie to Catalin, but couldn't tell her the truth.

"Look," he said. "We had some very rough times where we used to lived and I'm trying to froget them. If it's all the same to you I would like the leave the past where it belongs and get on with my life here in Elko. I hope that's okay."

Neil Osbornes/Dad:

Was a pilot, and had a small airline company.

Wanda Granger/Joanne Osbornes:

The sister of Zach.

She likes to act in school plays and she is really good at making friends, so her life in Elko is easy.

Mary Granger/Patricia Osbornes:

The Mother. Not a really important part in this story.

Sam Sebesta:

The custodian of Elko Middle School.

Wears glasses, and has the most startling blue eyes Zach has ever seen.

He is friendly, smart, and hardworking. Everyone likes him at school.

Catalin Cristobal:

The sweetest girl Zach has ever met.

She has long shiny black hair.

Most people calls her "Cat" for short.

Also Zach's girlfriend.

Antagonists

Alonzo:

This character is like the "Big Boss" of the rest of the antagonists.

He runs a drug cartel and he help bailed Zach's dad out when he had money problems.

What makes him so different from the rest of the characters is that he is non-stopable, and sometimes underestimates other people

*Quotes:

"He told me to tell you that if anything happened to them, a certain document would be sent and that will put an end to your operation"

Alonzo laughed. "Bold words from a pilot who knows virtually nothing about our operation."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Bender said. "He gave me an address and asked me to pass it on to you..."

Alonzo's hand tightened on the phone reciever, "perhaps he knows a bit more than i thought."

"Another thing," Bender said, "you told me that the Osborne don't speak Spanish."

"He doesn't," Alonzo said.

"He does now," Bender said. "He speaks it as well as you."

Berry Jones & Paul Snider:

They are not really important characters in this book, but they are the men of Alonzo

Benjamin Bender:

Lawyer of Zach's dad, also helping to find his family after their relocated.

He wore a three-piece, charcoal gray, pinstriped suit and starched white shirt with a yellow silk tie when he went to Zach's house.

He has really dark tan that make his teeth looked like fresh snow.

Peter:

Zach's classmate.

Got Zach into trouble after fighting on the first day of school.

He also helped Alonzo.

The Settings

This story mostly takes place in Elko, Nevada.Elko is up in the mountains. Zach didn't like it.

The Nevada mountain is full of short, brown, ragged rocks... It looked like Mars.

During their trip to their new home, they passed hotels, casinos, museum and shopping mall.

Their house was within a neighborhood with trees growing in front of it.

Their house looked smaller than their previous garage and it was really hot inside. There were 3 bedrooms, but really small, almost as small as their previous closet.

*This is a sentence from the book to describe how hot is it in the house: "She began to cry, but the house was so hot that her mascara-tinted tears evaporated before they got half-way down her cheeks"

This setting is important in this story because that is the place where the "Grangers" are relocated and it is also the place where the most important event is held.