Nothing But the Truth is a book about a young student named Philip Malloy, who believed that he had the right to sing along with the playing of the national anthem each during school. The school rule states that when the national anthem is being played you are to stand in respectful silence. Philip disobeyed this rule by singing. He was asked to stop twice, but he continued, and he was sent to the assistant principal's office. He was warned no to sing or hum. He continued the following day and again he was sent to the assistant principal's office. The assistant principal asked him to apologize and he refused. Two-class disturbance warrants a suspension and a call home. Philip was scared of facing his parents so he told them a story that the teacher was against him being patriotic by his singing of the national anthem.
The main reason is that at Philip Malloy's school, there was a distinctive announcement before the national anthem was played that stated "Please all rise and stand at respectful silent attention for the playing of our national anthem". The rule applied to every student that attended the school. As the national anthem was being played and everyone was giving his or her respectful silence, Miss Narwin hears someone humming and notices that it is Philip. On pg.43, Miss Narwin asks him to stop, and Philip gave an excuse that his other home room teacher " Mr. Lunser doesn't mind." Miss Narwin asked him to stop. The next day Philip just kept on humming and singing. On pg. 60 Miss Narwin asked again, "Is that someone humming, Philip is that you again, Philip I spoke to you yesterday about this." Then she told him for the second time that the when the national anthem was being played, it was a time to listen. Then again on pg. 60 Philip.
refused to stop singing and Miss Narwin asked him for the third time to stop and Philip refused again and was sent to the assistant principal Palleni's office.