A Different Truth

by Annette Oppenlander

Overview

A historical coming-of-age adventure for readers of A Separate Peace and The Catcher in the Rye.

"...a powerful and thought provoking tale that allows us to think about our moral decisions." -Readers' Favorite Five Stars

When a heinous crime is committed behind the secretive walls of a boarding school and Andy Olson decides to investigate, he's drawn into a conspiracy that reaches to the highest level, forcing him to choose between exposing the truth and protecting himself.In 1968 sixteen-year old Andy Olson's family ships him off to Palmer Military Academy. There, along with his best friend, Tom, he's plunged into a world where rules are everything and disobedience not an option.When Tom openly supports the peace movement, Andy grows increasingly irritated. He doesn't care about politics and the raging Vietnam War. Besides, messing with their bullying teammates is dangerous, underestimating fanatics like Officer Muller, the tormentor of plebes a mistake. It's hard enough to make it through each day, avoid counselor Beerbelly's spying eyes and extra marching. Andy plans to play a little football, visit Maddie, a townie with eyes like the Caribbean Sea and lie low until graduation.But the war has a way of reaching Andy, he couldn't have imagined. His privileged classmates with deep pockets and connections to the Dean call Tom a traitor. Maddie's brother, a Vietnam vet confined to a wheelchair, aims to stop Andy from seeing Maddie. And there's Sarge, a dedicated soldier turned teacher who takes an interest in Andy's career.When Tom is attacked and the school calls it an unfortunate accident, Andy decides to make a choice that will not only threaten his future but his very life.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940155618003
Publisher:	Annette Oppenlander
Publication date:	03/23/2018
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	504 KB

About the Author

Annette Oppenlander is an award-winning writer, literary coach and educator. As a bestselling historical novelist, Oppenlander is known for her authentic characters and stories based on true events, coming alive in well-researched settings. Having lived in Germany the first half of her life and the second half in various parts in the U.S., Oppenlander inspires readers by illuminating story questions as relevant today as they were in the past. Oppenlander’s bestselling true WWII story, Surviving the Fatherland, was a winner in the 2017 National Indie Excellence Awards and a finalist in the 2017 Kindle Book Awards. Her historical time-travel trilogy, Escape from the Past, takes readers to the German Middle Ages and the Wild West. Uniquely, Oppenlander weaves actual historical figures and events into her plots, giving readers a flavor of true history while enjoying a good story. Oppenlander shares her knowledge through writing workshops at colleges, libraries and schools. She also offers vivid presentations and author visits. The mother of fraternal twins and a son, she recently moved with her husband and old mutt, Mocha, to Solingen, Germany.

Editorial Reviews

A Different Truth by Annette Oppenlander takes place in 1968, the year when the Vietnam War was at its bloodiest. Along with his best friend Tom, sixteen-year-old Andy Olson is banished to Palmer Military Academy. Oppenlander deftly weaves an insightful coming of age story in the year when the United States was commonly associated with unrest, the counterculture of the 1960s, and the never clearly explained or understood Vietnam War.
The things that Andy and Tom have to endure at the boys' military prep school sheds some light onto the struggles of young men trying to adapt and survive in the authoritarian world of the military. I like the way in which Oppenlander keeps the thriller aspects of the book grounded, and I also like the way she handles the hazing scenes that some of the boys have to bear. The scenes are handled well, without too much exploitation of the victims and the perpetrators. In fact, it may even serve as another platform to generate discussions about hazing and bullying in schools. Nevertheless, some readers may prefer to be forewarned about this content.

A Different Truth is a powerful and thought provoking tale that allows us to think about our moral decisions. Readers who are personally familiar with the history of the Vietnam War will be fascinated by the story of the boys at Palmer Military Academy, whereas the generation that was born after the war would be able to use it as a trajectory to discover more about this unseen but crucial part of history. -Readers' Favorite

From the Publisher