Two students who are on the school newspaper staff, are frustrated that their adviser only allows them to print articles that show their school in a good light.  Zebbie and Amr start an underground, online newspaper called “The Truth About Truman” meant to be a true and honest newspaper about middle school life.  Anyone in the school can submit articles, and have their written guarantee that nothing will be censored.

The online newspaper quickly becomes a platform for bullying when a popular girl, Lilly, gets trashed by anonymous posts.  First, a picture of Lilly is posted from younger, chubbier days; next it’s announced that she’s a lesbian (though she isn’t), and finally a place to enter a “Why I Hate Lilly Clarke” essay contest, where the winner of an essay wins $5.

The vicious bullying leads to Lilly running away from home.  A great discussion book about people’s feelings, slander, and how to treat others, “The Truth About Truman School” is told in alternating character’s voices to give a perspective of bullying from all sides.