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The Truth App by Jack Heath
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: February 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1534449862
Jarli creates a lie detector app and uploads it for testing. Later, he is in the car with his dad when they get hit by a truck. Jarli believes it to be a terrible accident until the truck backs up and hits them again. From that point on, he knows there is someone out to hurt them. Jarli is followed and hunted at the hospital, at school, and through the woods. He also gains notoriety for the app and the press will not leave him alone. With the help of his friends Anya and Bess, Jarli evades his attacker– but for how long? And what do they want?
The Truth App is a short (215 page) thriller with brief chapters and lots of action. The cover is striking and a high interest hook happens on page one. Jarli is propelled through the plot quickly by a series of rapid attacks, threats, ominous characters, and chapter-end cliffhangers.
Recommend to teens who might like action and military/spy thrillers like Jack Ryan, or want a more modern Alex Rider. Other stories with a tech bent include #murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil, The Hive by Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden, and Warcross by Marie Lu.
–Emily Williams
