Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth

From award-winning author Eric Gansworth comes Give Me Some Truth, a powerful YA novel about art, identity, and fighting for your voice.
 
Set in 1980 on the Tuscarora Reservation in upstate New York, the novel follows two teens: Carson Mastick, a budding musician determined to win a battle of the bands and break free from the limits placed on him; and Maggi Bokoni, an artist navigating prejudice, expectations, and the search for authenticity.
 
Against a backdrop of cultural struggles, punk rock, and Ronald Reagan’s America, Carson and Maggi confront racism, poverty, and the challenge of staying true to themselves.
Raw, honest, and deeply moving, Give Me Some Truth explores what it means to claim your own story and your own truth—through music, art, and resilience.
 
🎯 Perfect For
Readers of contemporary YA with themes of identity, art, and activism
Fans of Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Sherman Alexie, and Elizabeth Acevedo
Educators looking to diversify classroom reading lists with Indigenous voices
Book clubs discussing race, culture, and self-expression in America
💡 Why You’ll Love It
Authentic Native American representation, written by a Tuscarora author
Combines art, music, and social issues in a powerful coming-of-age story
Honest exploration of racism, cultural identity, and resilience
Gritty 1980s setting filled with music, politics, and activism
Resonates with teens searching for their place in the world