Lions & Liars

Frederick Frederickson accidentally ends up casting off in a boat that doesn’t belong to him. Although it wasn’t planned, this little accident changes Frederick’s life in a huge way. The boat maroons Frederick on the shores of a disciplinary camp, and the smell of pancakes lures him toward the camp. But it’s a case of mistaken identity that keeps him there.

The campers think Frederick is notorious bad boy Dashiell Blackwood, a lion among fleas. Frederick is used to being a flea, an inconsequential animal in the food chain of life. But at camp, he feels like a lion since his fellow campers think he is a legend.

When a category five hurricane hits, will Frederick make it out alive? The other kids realize he is not who he is pretending to be. Will there be retribution for his lie?

I agree with Frederick that it is true that there is a pecking order among students in a peer group. Bullies can be seen as lions that are pushy, mean, and get their own way. It’s hard to be a flea around lions!

I found this story relatable, exciting, and funny. Overall, I would recommend this book to a friend!