Breaking News by Frank Morelli is an engaging story about stolen money, the search for the culprit, and two reporters competing with their stories at Ridgewood Arts & Technology Middle School.
It takes courage, Anthony. It takes a whole lot of courage
Breaking News – Frank Morelli – Mobi Version – location 1918
to admit when you’re wrong. And it takes a whole lot more
to go up on stage and do it in front of your entire school.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Originally from Philadelphia, Frank Morelli now lives in High Point (NC) with a brilliant illustrator and his dogs.
He is the author of two YA novels (in paperback), On the Way to Birdland (2021) and No Sad Songs (2018. )
Frank Morelli was a YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers nominee. He won the American Fiction Award for the best coming-of-age story.
The Saturday Evening Post, Cobalt Review, Philadelphia Break Stories, and Highlights Magazine have featured his fiction and essays.
Frank Morelli published Breaking News on 28 April 2022.
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Breaking News – Summary
For months, the School of Arts & Humanities students has worked on a fundraiser to donate money for clean drinking water for the children in Africa. But that very day, the proceeds of $1000 were stolen. The announcement by Ms. Hardaway leads to much speculation and accusations flying around in the halls.
Hunter Jackson, leader of the student council search committee, is appointed to lead the investigation and find the culprit. Tony Ravello reports daily for the school’s official newspaper, the Ridgewood Roar. Meanwhile, Liberty (Libby) Lennon – previously also writing for the Ridgewood Roar, reports her version of events in her new newspaper, the Rebel Yell.
Through the stories in these two newspapers and Hunter Jackson’s investigation, in the end, the culprit is revealed and punished.
My take on Breaking News
Children will quickly connect with the characters and setting in Breaking News since it takes place in a school milieu. Frank Morelli uses a fascinating technique to reveal clues to the culprit’s identity by using the stories published in the Ridgewood Roar and Rebel Yell, the forensic reports of Hunter Jackson, and Libby’s recordings of her thoughts on her smartphone to drive the story.
The book highlights the importance of journalistic integrity by showing how speculation and unhealthy competition between journalists can lead to gossiping and false accusations.
In the end, Tony and Libby realize an excellent reporter should stick with the facts and report the truth. They can create a more extensive and in-depth version of the truth by working together and sharing resources.
Write a review
The best thing you can do for an author is writing a review for their book(s). Although YA authors get reviews from adults, they would love to know what you – their actual reader – think of their books!
Thank you to Blackberry Book Tours, who has supplied the two simple templates to write a review and get to know the characters in Breaking News.
Should you get Breaking News for your child?
Breaking News will draw young readers in from the start and keep them reading to discover the thief’s identity. They will feel familiar with the school setting and characters and the many challenges the characters are facing.
They will learn the importance of honesty and integrity and the value of doing the right thing, even when it’s hard and not always to their benefit. But also see the effects of unhealthy competition and how working together has its own benefits.
Other books to consider are Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by famous author John Grisham and Seconds Away (A Mickey Bolitar Novel) by Harlan Coben. Or please read my review of The Lucky Diamond, or The Chronicles of the Stone series for middle-graders.
Because of biased mindsets, often in theft cases, suspicion first falls on the poor. Were you surprised at the thief’s identity? Why or why not? We would love to hear from you. Please share with us in the comments?
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Thank you so much, Berry Susan! We loved your review and that you posted the review templates. :* Kristy
Thanks, Kristy. I love that Blackberry Book Tours made the templates available.