This will be a hit and must for middle grade collections. I love when authors recognize middle grade readers deserve sophisticated stories and Alyson Gerber has done just that. Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc!

Thanks to Netgalley and Scholastic for the advance Kindle copy of this 2.6.24 release. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Set in the world of the East Coast privileged at a private school, this mystery is perfect for middle school readers. It is told in alternating voices - Weatherby, a sailing star on scholarship at the elite Boston School, where her deceased father attended, and Jack, whose family practically owns the school but isn’t exactly honest or upstanding. The pair become sailing teammates against their wishes, and become entangled with their friends in something even more dangerous. I’ll be buying multiple copies for my library for sure. Recommended for grades 6-8.

I've been so excited for The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber for a while, so thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review!
This was such an entertaining and intriguing read! I loved the fancy prestigious school and the sailing aspect. Weatherby was a fun and relatable character to read about and so was Jack. I absolutely adored the mystery and secret society vibes, and the pace of the book was phenomenal! I'm already super exited for book 2!

The main things I loved about this book: pacing, explicit discussion of class, satisfying redemption arcs

The pacing was incredibly tight - I honestly wasn't sure the book would live up to its synopsis, but it had a satisfying piece-clicking moment about 75% through and kept me interested.

Usually, I wouldn't say I like multi-pov books, but I think the form made sense here to directly contrast Weatherby and Jack and create a good understanding of how their experiences of class affected their time at Boston School.

Jack's inner monologue and life experiences are so different than my own, but the author did an excellent job of describing his slow realization of the truth about his family's wealth and Hunt-isms.

The one thing I would say is that I wish there was more foreshadowing of the climate activism-- I did like the mention of the water pollution when Weatherby fell and how the forest fire provided more evidence for Jack and Pres. Still, I think it would add to the story if there were one more explicit incident. It also may just be the case that since this is the first book in a series, climate activism was less developed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Scholastic for the e-Arc. All opinions are my own.

What worked:
The story is presented from two distinctly different points of view. The narrative comes through the eyes of Weatherby and Jack as Weatherby tries to adapt to an exclusive, private school in Boston. She earns a scholarship for winning a sailing regatta which really irritates and angers the powerful Hunt family. Jack Hunt’s father is a major donor to the private school and a major influencer. Jack’s not a win-at-all-costs type of person like his father and brother but he still feels family pressure to succeed. His moral values are in stark contrast to the other male members of the Hunt family and help him to make thoughtful, empathetic decisions as the plot moves along.
The world of sailing is not often the main topic in middle-grade novels unless the characters live like Vikings. The first section of the book takes the time to describe some boating vocabulary and the inner workings of the teamwork required to steer using only the wind. Weatherby has a special sense when it comes to reading the weather and water which she uses to predict the most favorable strategies. The book describes how the sails are maneuvered at precisely the right time to make turns and how they can generate speed to complete the course quicker than opponents.
An early internal conflict for Weatherby is a moral one. She’s the only person aware that she inadvertently violates a rule while winning the regatta but she feels compelled to confess her mistake to the race organizers. However, admitting to the violation will automatically lead to the loss of her scholarship. She’s always wanted to be a student at Boston School just like her father, a man she never knew. Should she be honest and lose the scholarship or remain quiet and pursue her dreams? The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Weatherby’s father, the Last Heir’s secret group, and environmental questions found around the lake become the focus of the plot once Weatherby joins the school.
What didn’t work as well:
There’s not much to dislike. The backdrop of sailing may not appeal to a wide audience but it’s less of a focus as the story moves along. The plot moves around to different issues to keep things fresh and the storyline moving forward.
The final verdict:
Readers might not expect a sequel but it’s evitable based on the book’s ending. The mystery and character relationships are dynamic and will keep readers engrossed. Weatherby’s presence at Boston School is the catalyst for change and will lead readers in unexpected directions.

This was good! A middle grade mystery that really had me interested the entire way through! There were so many twists and turns to follow and I felt like they were done really well!

It was an interesting premise with the boating and I was curious because I know nothing about it. So that was something that really helped pull me in. The other and most important was the characters. Our main character who is not like the rich kids at her school and the boy opposite her. His family is incredibly rich, like owns the cops kind of rich where they can just bury things. And all he wants is to be like his dad.

His dad who doesn’t even notice or care about him. Wants him not to embarrass the family.

Look, I don’t want to spoil this book. It was really good and I really enjoyed the mystery. Even if though it is a middle grade, it was so well done I think anyone of any age would enjoy it.

I give it a 4 out of 5 I really liked it. And I think a lot of other readers will too.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher.

4.5 ⭐
THE LIARS SOCIETY was a quick and easy mystery read meant for younger readers. There were so many twists and turns that kept me guessing and intrigued. There's something about a secret society, liars and coverups, as well as blackmails that makes a story worthwhile. THE LIARS SOCIETY didn't disappoint. It delivered with mystery, page-turning chapter, and a gambit galore.

Weatherby is the girl trying to get a sailing scholarship to the prestigious Boston School, to learn more about her dad, who she never met. Jack is the rich kid trying to win the regatta to impress his powerful and overbearing father. These two start as enemies, but end up relying on each in sailing and in keeping secrets. When the money for the traditional trip to Hart Island is stolen, Weatherby, Jack and friends are recruited by a secret society to find the money and restore the trip. But everything is not as it seems and secrets have a way of coming out even when the Boston School and Jack’s family try very hard to keep them buried.

This book has great characters and an intriguing mystery that should keep tweens turning the pages to get some answers. I gave this book 5 stars, even though I did figure out a few of the twists, I couldn’t wait for the characters to solve the mysteries too. I think the middle grade target audience will love this book. The characters are not perfect, but seem realistic in their secrets, actions, and friendships. Can’t wait for Weatherby and Jack’s continued adventures!

As a middle school teacher, there are often times that my students do not want a younger middle grade book but are not ready for young adult, and it is so hard to find books for them that fit what they’re looking for—The Liars Society is going to fit a need that I’d been searching for when it comes to my readers who want to read Jennifer Lynn Barnes or Karen McManus but aren’t there yet. And, as a mystery fan, I can recommend in confidence because I didn’t figure out the twists, so I know middle school readers are going to be blown away by what happens also. I CANNOT wait to get this book into readers’ hands (and it is going to be so hard to wait for book 2)!!

This is the first Alyson Gerber novel for me, but it dang sure will NOT be my last! The story centers around Weatherby and Jack who meet when Weatherby attends a private school where Jack is on the sailing team. The characters are strong. The story is engaging and you definitely will look forward to the next book. The mystery is just right for middle school readers. Thanks #netgalley, #AlysonGerber and #ScholasticPress for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

Great start to a new series by author Allyson Gerber that will likely surprise readers of her earlier Braced, Focused and Taking Up Space books. All of those were heartfelt, realistic looks at students facing health and neurodiversity issues and Liar’s Society is set in a private school with kids navigating the social hierarchies of middle school life plus deeper situations of being lied to by adults and determining what you will stand up for and rise up against when those lies are discovered. Sailing competitively is a huge component of life inside the private school as are the differences between students who come from wealth and privilege and those don’t. The main characters, Jack, Weatherby, Iris, Pres, Harper and Teddie, are diverse in background, race, and financial strata, allowing readers to find connections to many of them and absolutely see aspects of those characters reflected in students in their own schools. The added story element of secret societies creates a level of mystery and intrigue that is not resolved completely, leaving much to be continued in book 2 but some loose ends will be neatly tied up, probably in ways that observant middle graders will already have figured out. Love Gerber’s descriptions of the natural setting of Hart Isle that plays such an important role in the adventure and wish I could visit there myself! Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Excellent choice for libraries of grades 4-7.

I love when a read a book and I know exactly which group of students whose radar I need to put it on! Our 4th and 5th graders cannot get enough of the mysterious and of stories where secrets and lies play a factor in the plot! The Liars Society has strong characters with intriguing histories to try to figure out! The setting of a Boston prep school and the idea of a secret society will definitely appeal to readers. This is especially true because a lot of times, stories that involve these types of things are not written for middle grade. This one fills that hole and is absolutely perfect for middle grade! There is so much that would make great discussion for a whole class or for a small group read as well.

Not only did I find myself turning the pages all morning long, when I reached the end, I was thrilled to find out there will be more! The world, the circumstances, and the characters have been established in such a way that I cannot wait to see where they go next.

Thanks so much to Scholastic and Alyson Gerber for the Arc of The Liars Society! It was a great quick read. a perfect mystery book for middle school kids. It's Definitely one ill be recommending to my fellow teacher friends!

I loved the premise of this book. Lies and truth; friendship; enemies; loyalty; family dynamics. This book had the potential to be the next generations Westing Game. And it definitely had a lot to offer and I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend. However, the story moved a little slow, especially in the beginning and there were a few parts where the plot fell flat for me, which is why I gave it a 3-star rating instead of the 5 I thought I would be giving.
The story follows two main characters. Weatherby, a young girl who wants to sail and have friends more than anything. And Jack, the rich boy, who has everything he could ever want except his father’s approval. The two characters paths cross when Weatherby is given a scholarship to the prestigious Boston school to sail and Jack is part of the sailing team. Both Weatherby and Jack get tapped to be part of the school’s secret society – and this is where the plot picks up and the secrets, lies, and mystery become a intriguing excellent read. The ending is phenomenal and leaves you eager for book two.

Thank you NetGalley for the free advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was so delighted with this book. The story just kept moving and I just kept reading. Even though the entire story was not completely realistic the relationships, the worries, and the politics encountered at school and in life were.
Weatherby loves sailing. She knows sailing is something her father did but he died before she was born. After reading a journal of her father she wants to have some of the same experiences but living with a single mom they can't afford the exclusive private school. But when her sailing talent gets her in to Boston School she finds herself playing a high-stakes game to save the class trip to Hart Isle, the place her father spoke of in his journal.
I will be buying this for my grandkids. They will love it.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

The Liars Society is about a girl named Weatherby who comes from a humble background and becomes involved in the world of some of New England's richest families after getting accepted to a prestigious private school. When Weatherby gets recruited by a secret society she ends up having to solve a mystery. This is a fun read, although if you have zero experience at all with sailing, the many descriptions of sailing will get a bit tedious. It would be a great option for students who like things like The Inheritance Games but need something a bit more age-appropriate.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This book reminded me of “The Inheritance Game” series and it didn’t disappoint! As more secrets are revealed; more clues and another mystery appears.

Weatherby, has been raised by her single mother and has never known her dad. The only thing she does know is that He attended prestigious Boston school for the wealthy and that he was fantastic sailor. Her neighbor, who is like an uncle, has taught her to sail and when they enter a competition and win, Weatherby is offered a scholarship so she can sail for Boston School.
Jack Hunt, the other main character, comes from a very wealthy family and they have gone to this school for generations. Jack meets Weatherby when she beats him a regatta and isn't pleased she will now be going to his school and on the sailing team together.
They have to start working together though after they are both tapped to join The Last Heir, a secret society along with several other students. As they start completing tasks they uncover some hidden secrets on Hart Island which anger some very powerful people.
I enjoyed this book with the private school setting, the sailing aspect, and the mystery and intrigue, and I think students will too. Usually books like this are geared for YA readers so it's great to have one for MS readers.
This is set up for a sequel and I hope that it will have more action it.

Weatherby has been raised on the East Coast by her single mother; her father has never been in the picture. She has his journal from his school days, however, and because of this would love to attend the prestigious Boston School so that she can get a glimpse of his world. She is a keen sailor, and competes in regattas with neighbor Skip, who is like an uncle to her. After a competition where she goes against Boston School student Jack Hunt, she comes to the attention of the school and is offered a scholarship. She is a bit conflicted; the sails she used were not regulation, and since she didn't catch that, she technically cheated and shouldn't go to the school. She keeps quiet, and is soon inhabiting the elite world. She meets Teddie, who also sails, and is very nice about loaning her equipment and clothing. Weatherby isn't thrilled to have to partner with Jack, but when he realizes how good her sailing really is, the two form an uneasy friendship. Jack's father is tremendously wealthy and powerful. The family produces nonstick and weather resistant coatings, and have donated a lot of money to the school. They even have an enclave on a nearby island, and host the Boston School students there. When money is hacked out of the school account, however, the trip is postponed. Weatherby is crushed, because the last page of her father's journal is set on the island, and she hopes to go there and find what was on the missing page. There is a secret society that recruits students from the school, the Last Heir, and Jack assumes he will be tapped for it. Oddly, Weatherby is as well, and the two soon join forces with Iris, Pres, and Harper to complete the challenge that the Last Heir sets for them. It takes them to Hart Island, where they uncover information not only about the island, but about Weatherby's past. In doing so, they irritate a lot of powerful people, and it seems likely that these confrontations will continue in another book.
Strengths: This was a fantastic private school tale with a lot of intrigue, rivalry, and sailing! While I didn't understand much of what Weatherby was doing on the water, I loved how involved in it she was. Her relationship with Jack isn't really an example of the enemies-to-lovers trope that it might have been in a book aimed at older audiences, and it was great to see that they were able to connect despite their differences because they were able to admire the other's sportsmanship. The background characters like Teddie, Iris, and Harper add a lot of depth to the school part of the story, and the mystery was fantastic. A bit of a surprise in the environmental twist that it took, and I also didn't see Weatherby's connections to the Boston School coming! I think this will be a hugely popular title, and it was interesting to see Gerber transition from her usual (and extremely well done) problem novels like Braced and Taking Up Space. I don't have confirmation that there is a second book on the way, but I've seen hints on social media.
Weaknesses: This takes place in a REALLY rarified environment, and I often didn't feel like I understood what was going on. As much as I like sports in middle grade books, this started with a LOT of sailing. The mystery was the best part of this, and that didn't really surface until the end of the book. I enjoyed this, but would have liked to get to the mystery a bit sooner.
What I really think: This has been compared to Barnes' Inheritance Games, (or even her The Fixer) which is a good parallel, but I think it will also appeal to reader who like Burkhart's Saddlehill Academy or Matula's Holly Mei series. The illustration style of the cover is PERFECT for upper middle grade, but I wish that Jack had been as equally prominent, because I think this book would appeal to a wide variety of readers, like Carter's Gallagher Girls series.

The Liars Society was a fun atmospheric story! I love boarding school books and Gerber made an excellent addition to the genre with a fresh story young readers will be running to get their hands on!