4 out of 4 stars
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Someone had purposely turned the security camera away right before the robbery. Molly was determined to find out who had the means and the motive to cause the recent chaos at Robert K. Howard Middle School. Author Dan Kilday tells the suspenseful story of Molly Warner in his work of children’s fiction titled Molly Warner: School Reporter.
Much to the annoyance of her science teacher, Mr. Pinkleton, Molly Warner was a gossip. When the news of her ability to share the latest information with her friends reached Principal Vernon, Mr. Pinkleton was more than pleased to escort Molly to the principal’s office. The meeting did not go the way that the science teacher had hoped that it would. Instead of handing down a punishment, Principal Vernon placed Molly Warner on the staff of the Scratching Post, the school newspaper! Molly took her new position very seriously. She had a true talent for reporting the news, and she certainly had her work cut out for her when a string of strange occurrences struck the school. Molly’s resolve to find and report the facts leads her on an exciting journey to the truth about many of her teachers and fellow classmates.
This is children’s fiction at its finest. It has a bit of everything for young readers to enjoy including humor, mystery, and suspense. Even as an adult I was trying to work out “who done it” as I read.
This is a well-written and well-organized book. There is one editing error that occurs quite continually. Principal Vernon is often called and referred to as Prince Vern. This was very distracting. At first, I thought that it was an ironic nickname, but I highly doubt that the children would say it directly to the school principal. Still, the story comfortably flows from one scene to the next making it pleasant to read.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The story is fun and entertaining with interesting, relatable characters. Young readers ages ten to twelve would enjoy this book. I would love to recommend this book to younger readers, but there is one mildly profane word in the text that I find inappropriate for readers younger than ten. Still, this is a well-written story with a purpose. The themes and lessons of the importance of the first amendment of the United States Constitution, friendship, and determination are clear and presented in an understandable way.
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Molly Warner: School Reporter
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