The adventures of Autumn Day: My big fat hairy lies by Melinda Wills McHugh

Ill. by Amy Borrel. Silver Wood Books, 2014. ISBN 9781781322093
(Ages 8-10) Recommended. What happens when you tell a small lie? It grows and grows. Autumn Day is the same as any nine year old who wants to be liked however she realizes that owning up to her mistakes and telling the truth easier in the end.
Autumn Day just wants two things: To be best friends with Aimee and get a pink mobile phone for her ninth birthday simply to impress the other girls in her class. For a girl who has to endure being called all the other seasons or, due to her hair, Carrot Top, Flame Brain or Tomato Head, Autumn thinks this is not too much to ask for.
Unfortunately despite telling Aimee on the school bus that she had received the pink phone she in reality received a rag doll with red hair like hers and a jewellery box. Of course everyone wants to see the phone and Autumn has to think up more lies to keep her friends from knowing the truth.
Later in the day when she had to talk about her pets in front of the class, Autumn tells them that she has 'One dog, two fish and a pony'. The pony is a complete fabrication and means Autumn has to maintain two lies. Life becomes more and more complicated for Autumn until she decides it is time to come clean and admit the truth to her friends.
The author has given Autumn an authentic voice especially as we are privy to her innermost thoughts and feelings as she tries to justify her lies to herself. We are just as relieved as she is when she finally realises that she doesn't need to lie to have friends.
Sue Keane