40 Things You Can Do to Save the Jewish People Book

Adam Canfield, star reporter, is now a co-editor of the Slash - the Harris Elementary/Middle School newspaper - along with his friend Jennifer. He's having a hard time making the adjustment from reporter to editor. Not only is he way over-programmed with too many classes and activities at school, but now he's also responsible for what gets printed as well as what gets written. He's exhausted. Jennifer has big plans for the paper, however. They're going to be investigating real issues and printing stories that people will want to read.

Their first issue includes breaking news about illegal accessory structures (referring to the unsightly basketball hoops that people all over town have out in their driveways), an article about hypocrisy in the smile contest that's endorsed by area dentists (it turns out to be an excuse for kids to chug soda and candy to 'keep up their energy'), and a piece on Eddie the Janitor (who is often overlooked by students and faculty alike at Harris). The reporters dig up all sorts of unexpected information with each new story, and the Slash becomes the most popular newspaper in town.

Things come to a head when what appears to be a normal, boring story about a donation to the school uncovers a misappropriation scheme by none other than Harris' formidable principal, Mrs. Marris. Adam and Jennifer and the other Slash reporters have to decide whether and how to blow the whistle on her illegal activities.

This was an excellent introduction to investigative reporting and journalism. The kids involved with the Slash are spunky characters - all looking beyond the mere scoop for the truth. Reading about their internal moral struggles as they decide what they should write, what they should print, what they can print, and what their responsibilities are to their sources will make you really think about what proper reporting involves. They're also dealing with parents and other authority figures who are accustomed to prompt and immediate obedience. It's stressful for elementary and middle schoolers to stand up to that kind of pressure, but these kids are empowered. Winerop also makes a satisfying argument against standardized testing - showing what an empty thing it can be to teach to a test and not to further your students' passion for the subject.

Some of the characters were a bit annoying - Phoebe the third grade prodigy, for instance - and that made it a bit difficult to get into the story initially. But once they got into the reporting and the investigation of Mrs. Marris, things became much more interesting, and the reporters were able to put their petty differences aside.