Lydia Cooper Is a Lie - by Meaghan McIsaac (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A girl who doesn't know she's in witness protection accidentally reveals her identity and puts her life in danger in this twisty upper middle grade thriller.

For as long as Lydia can remember, it's been her and her dad against the world. But while she loves him, her dad is so overprotective. Well-versed in the dangers of the internet from his job in cybersecurity, he refuses to let Lydia be online without heavy parental controls, and social media is out of the question.

One day, when all Lydia's friends are invited to a movie night at her crush's house--except her because she's not in the group chat--Lydia gets fed up with her dad's rules and makes a social media account. Then an armed intruder shows up at her home. Clearly, there's more to her family's past than she knows.

On the run and separated from her dad, Lydia will need to uncover the secrets her dad has been keeping if she wants to reunite with him. But how can Lydia know who to trust along the way when she doesn't even know who she is?

Review Quotes

"A fast-paced pick for tweens and fans of plot-driven thrillers, especially those suspicious of cyber overreach."--Booklist "5/1/2026"

"Readers will eagerly attempt to speculate who Lydia can trust as she tries to outrun her father's past. . . . Action-packed and thrilling, this novel presents a high level of interest that would also benefit older readers who read at a lower reading level."--School Library Journal "5/1/2026"

"Fast-paced and twisty."--Kirkus Reviews "April 1, 2026"

About the Author

Meaghan McIsaac is the author of several books for young readers, including Lydia Cooper Is a Lie, Cheat Code, Movers, and The Bear House. She has an MA in writing for children from the University of Winchester and is also an illustrator for picture books and graphic novels. She lives with her husband and three children in Ontario. Visit her online at MeaghanMcIsaac.com.