Charlie's mum is a single parent, and Charlie understands very well that birthday presents must be minimal. But when his school friends want to know what he got, he tells the first of a string of lies - that he had a video camera. Everyone is terribly excited at the news, and it is decided that Charlie will film the PE display. This leads to another lie - that the camera has been stolen. Lie follows lie, and Charlie is in deep trouble. Uncle Chris turns up and solves the problem, but Charlie must admit part of his dishonesty to the class anyway. An easy-read, short (63 pp) novel with a number of good black and white illustrations.