38 pages 1 hour read

Gary Paulsen

Liar, Liar

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2011

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 6-9

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 6 Summary: “A Good Lie Has Humor and Style”

JonPaul comes over to hang out at Kevin’s house after school. Kevin thinks they’ll relax and watch a movie, but JonPaul’s germophobia and compulsive behaviors preclude that. He’s too focused on washing his football uniform and perfecting his nutrition plan to listen to Kevin’s questions about Tina. Kevin decides he’s had enough of JonPaul and needs to get rid of him by playing on his fears. He pretends JonPaul is exhibiting signs of an allergic reaction to the organic peanut butter he’s eating, and hints at all the terrifying health crises the fabricated symptoms could indicate. Kevin tells himself that pushing JonPaul to extreme paranoia will help him recognize how ridiculous he’s being and enable him to embrace a more realistic view of his health.

The next day at school, JonPaul says he went to the doctor and got allergy tests. The results showed he wasn’t allergic to anything but not wanting to take any chances, he took an EpiPen from Markie, Kevin’s four-year-old neighbor. Kevin knows this is problematic for Markie and plans to make sure Markie’s family has a backup EpiPen. He does, however, reaffirm his rationalization for lying to JonPaul, convincing himself he’s making his friend a happier, more rational person.

Related Titles

By Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Brian's Hunt

Gary Paulsen

Brian's Hunt

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Brian's Return

Gary Paulsen

Brian's Return

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Guts

Gary Paulsen

Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books

Gary Paulsen

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE

logo

Harris and Me

Gary Paulsen

Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Gary Paulsen

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

Masters of Disaster

Gary Paulsen

Masters of Disaster

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

My Life in Dog Years

Gary Paulsen

My Life in Dog Years

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Soldiers Heart

Gary Paulsen

Soldiers Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

The Crossing

Gary Paulsen

The Crossing

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

The Monument

Gary Paulsen

The Monument

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

The Voyage of the Frog

Gary Paulsen

The Voyage of the Frog

Gary Paulsen