Helene Guåker, Oda Valle (ill.)

Stella Tells the Truth (Mostly)

With Christmas just around the corner, Stella is not looking forward to the holidays. This year, she and her mother will have to celebrate on their own, as Stella's best friend and close neighbour is away visiting family for the season. To Stella, a Christmas for two simply isn't enough.

Then she comes up with an idea: what if they rented out her bedroom to a tenant? It could solve two problems at once, bringing in extra money as well as some much-needed company. Without telling her mother, Stella begins searching for the perfect lodger. But finding the right tenant proves harder than she imagined. Before long, she encounters a parade of unusual candidates, including people with ferrets and surprisingly loud hobbies.

As Stella's worries and anxieties begin to grow, she starts writing down her thoughts in an old, forgotten book at the library. One day, she discovers that someone has written back. But who is the mysterious pen pal?

Stella Tells the Truth (Mostly) is a heartwarming story about a young girl's resourcefulness when money is scarce. Above all, it is a story about loneliness, friendship, community, and finding the confidence to be yourself. Guåker has written an honest and engaging portrait of growing up with limited means while discovering the true meaning of belonging. Stella Tells the Truth (Mostly) is a stand-alone sequel to the critically acclaimed Stella Faces It.

The book is beautifully illustrated by the talented Oda Valle.