Summary
Summary
Laurel, caught up in the thrill of an investigation, is willing to risk her reputation to get the story, but her ultimate discovery changes everything.
Laurel discovers her passion for investigative journalism when she writes an article for her school paper about a person experiencing homelessness who's been living at the school. Eager to write more articles with impact, she launches an investigation of a cheating scam at her high school. Laurel's efforts cause her classmates to turn against her. Nobody is interested in seeing her article go to print, not even her own brother.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-While pondering her next big story for the high school newspaper, Laurel Quinn stumbles upon a cheating scam in her math class. Shocked by the idea of her fellow students engaged in such a dishonest enterprise, she immediately writes an expose. Instead of gaining her recognition, she is viewed by her classmates as a traitor and her article results in increased scrutiny by the teachers. Instead of backing away from the issue, she follows an anonymous tip and finds out that the cheating is widespread. Laurel's quest for the truth alienates her star athlete brother and his friends, and she ultimately discovers that the scandal hits closer to home than she realized. Despite some minor, unrealistic plot points, including an instance where an administrator simply hands Laurel class lists and students' grades, Butcher's portrayal of high school cheating is believable, with actual consequences. Teens may initially struggle to empathize with the self-righteous protagonist, but the pacing will keep reluctant readers hooked until the very end. Michael Laser's Cheater (Dutton, 2007) and J.M. Steele's The Taker (Hyperion, 2006) cover similar ground with a little more depth.-Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Budding journalist Laurel is eager to write about the cheating scandal she's uncovered, even if it attracts her classmates' contempt. After finding out who the perpetrators are, Laurel is no longer sure she should write the story. The wimpy conclusion, with its surprisingly lax attitude toward cheating, is a disappointing ending to this otherwise substantial high-interest title. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
(Fiction. 10 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Having grown up in the shadow of her big brother, a school legend, Laurel is thrilled when one of her stories for the school paper wins acclaim. Eager to repeat her success, Laurel writes a piece about cheating after she observes one classmate slip test answers to another. The reaction to this story is totally different. Lighten up, her friend tells her. It's no big deal. Laurel is dismayed because dishonesty is dishonesty. An anonymous tip points Laurel to a bigger cheating scandal, but her investigation leads her straight to people she cares about, and suddenly the issue is far from black and white. This Orca Currents title for low-level readers focuses on issues teens will care about. Laurel's clandestine probing provides plenty of plot tension, and her discoveries will keep readers guessing about larger mysteries. Readers will want to discuss the issue of cheating, its ramifications, and Laurel's final choices about turning people in.--Rutan, Lynn Copyright 2010 Booklist