Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
A struggling middle school student finds a way to turn his life around when he works on the school newspaper; PW called this story "lively" and "uplifting." Ages 8-12. (Mar.)
School Library Journal
Gr 5-8-Darnell Rock, 13, has always taken a lackadaisical attitude toward school and is a fringe member of the Corner Crew, South Oakdale Middle School's semi-deviant clique. Although they are quite close, he and his twin sister, Tamika, engage in nonstop verbal one-upmanship. Things begin to change for Darnell after he joins, on a whim, the staff of the school newspaper. He has a chance encounter with a homeless man and ends up writing an article that advocates turning over a piece of school property to the homeless so that they can grow vegetables there. This proposal fosters debate within the school and, after the city's daily paper picks up the story, the whole community. This experience helps Darnell grow, and he begins to look at the world around him in a different way. Once again, Myers presents a well-written story with a realistic ending and adeptly brings to life the major players-Darnell, his friends, and his middle-class African-American family. Young readers will be interested in and able to relate to these characters. While this book might not be the author's best, it's still on target.-Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
From the Publisher
This is an energetic read, unintimidating but thoughtful, that many Darnell-age kids in search of self will find rewarding.”—The Bulletin
JAN 96 - AudioFile
Signing up for the school newspaper is one of the few positive things 13-year-old Darnell Rock seems to do. His encounter with a homeless man is a counterpoint to his seeing his own world a little differently and beginning to write about it. The story’s a good choice for audio and adds a choice outside light-hearted subjects or classics. It also doesn’t have the depressive bent of much young adult fiction. This story can be listened to by much younger children and is a good one to share as a family. James’s narration is suitable, if not exceptional. He doesn’t seem to get into the rhythm of the kids’ street-talk. It’s almost as if he’s speaking clearly so listeners who never hear street talk will understand and to that extent the choice is probably the right one. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine
