I read an ARC of Megan Frazer’s SECRETS OF TRUTH & BEAUTY late last year, and I loved it from the first chapter. As I said in an early review, I became so lost in Dara’s story — the details of her new life on the farm, the older sister she meets for the first time, the successive choices she’s faced with all summer, the new friends, family, and way of life she connects with. Dara’s voice is raw and real without being overly sentimental or melancholy, and I became attached to her instantly, wanting her to be okay, hoping her decisions and actions would lead her to find her own sense of truth and beauty — to figure out what that meant for her and to find a way to feel it inside.

About SECRETS OF TRUTH & BEAUTY

When Dara Cohen was little, she was crowned Little Miss Maine. That was then. Now Dara’s seventeen and she’s not so little anymore. That’s just one of her many problems. Another is that her control-freak mom won’t get off her case about anything. Yet the one that hurts the most is the family secret: Dara has an older sister her parents tried to erase from their lives.

Dara’s 2009 Debut Party

I kind of missed Dara since the last time we hung out (all the way back in November of 2008), so I’m excited to stop by the debut party and introduce all of you!

The Guest List

Dara’s friends Owen and Milo, of course. Dara would probably have a lot to talk about with Virgina from Carolyn Mackler’s The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things and Ruby from Sarah Dessen’s Lock and Key. Hassan from John Green’s An Abundance of Katherine’s would be great fun at a party, and I guess he could bring Colin along. Owen would really want Demi from E. Lockhart’s Dramarama. And finally Anne of Green Gables — she’s a little earnest but has quite the flair for the dramatic.

The Party

The party is kind of like those wrap parties after play productions. Lots of goofing around, talking, trying to be the wittiest, and just generally being silly. Dara’s sister Rachel would be cool with having it at Jezebel Goat Farm. As for themes, Dara would say no way, but Owen might try to sneak one in. For the guests? Tiaras for everyone!

Tiaras, huh?

*Tries to trade tiara for goat.* I mean, tiaras are sparkly and awesome and everything, but those goats… they’re so cute!

The Guest of Honor: Dara

Dara likes to dress well, so she’s wearing a nice black skirt that comes right to the knee, with a bright colored top, low cut, but not so low cut as to be trashy. Her theme song? Cass Elliot’s Make Your Own Kind of Music.

I guess the black dress goes better with a tiara than it does with a goat. Oh well.

Megan’s Advice for Dara on Her Big Debut

Dance, sing, laugh — whenever the mood strikes — don’t hold back.

I have to share something else from my earlier review. I was sad when I reached the last page because I wanted to be with Dara just a little longer. I literally sighed at the end — it felt like the last day of summer, climbing into bed the night before the first day of school, reflecting on all that had happened and all that was yet to come. I’m sighing again just thinking about it, and I hope you’ll check it out for yourselves! Congrats to Megan Frazer on her wonderful, heartfelt debut!

SECRETS OF TRUTH & BEAUTY is available in book stores now, and also online through Indiebound and other Web retailers.

Megan Frazer studied English literature and creative writing at Columbia University. She lives with her husband and baby in Maine, where she is a high school librarian. She loves cheese and cooking, and both of these make their way into Secrets of Truth & Beauty. She was not, however, ever in a beauty pageant. Visit Megan online.