Adam Canfield of the Slash
Adam Canfield of the Slash. Winerip, Michael; Candlewick Press, 2005
Grade Level: 6-8
ISBN & Cost: 0-7636-2340-7, $15.99
Synopsis: Adam Canfield, co-editor of the middle-school newspaper The Slash, works with the other Slash reporters to unearth a major story about corruption, fraud, and politics which leads straight to school administration, city government and the local news.
General Review:
Adam Canfield and his news-hound friends at Harris Middle School find a news scoop with shocking implications. These daring reporters use research and evaluation skills to uncover a high-action plot involving insidious underground connections of fraud, corruption, cronyism, dirty politics, abuse of power and scandal. Readers begin to understand the importance of freedom of speech and open access to policy and government records as they watch a conspiracy unfold. Winerip passes along his experience as a Pulitzer Prize-winning Education columnist for the New York Times to aspiring journalists. The book mirrors common scandals found in today's headlines. This is a powerful and realistic introduction to a more complex world. Readers will learn of the power of information and the need for activism in advocating for integrity in government, school and the media.
Themes: Newspapers; Journalists; Fraud; Schools
Author information:
http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763623407.art.1.pdf
http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/Michael-Winerip
Discussion Questions: (Standard 3; Benchmark 3)
- If Jennifer had not pressured Adam to work with Phoebe on her ‘Eddie the Janitor’ story, do you think that the fraud Mrs. Marris was involved in would have been uncovered? Why is it important to work together when finding information? Make a list of the people who were essential in helping uncover the scandal.
- After attention had been drawn to the Herbs’ tagging of illegal basketball hoops and complaints started coming in from the public, the Herbs suggested that they should “pull back and wait for this to die down” (p.205). They hoped that people would forget about it and they would be able to slip the ordinance by at a later time. Do you think they are right? Why is it important to constantly watch important issues? If so, who is responsible?
- A person who uncovers fraud, crime or problems is called a whistleblower. Make a chart comparing the potential whistleblowers in the book, Adam, Eddie the Janitor, Miss Esther, and Mr. Brooks. List the negative and positive consequences each might face if they came forward. If you were in their shoes, would you come forward?
Activities:
1. Use a library database, the internet, or a newspaper index and find a recent news story about fraud. Report to the class whether an effort was made to hide facts or lie about them. Also describe who discovered the truth and what they did to find the truth. (Standard 1; Benchmarks1 and 2)
2. Think about the times when Mrs. Marris censored The Slash. Write down whether you think this happens sometimes in today’s newspapers. Write down what freedom of speech means to you and examples of freedom of speech in the United States. (Standard 3; Benchmark 3 and Standard 8; Benchmark 1)
3. Use your library to find books, articles or the internet to research about today’s media (newspapers, magazines, t.v. media, etc.). List any biases, organizations or people who might be effecting or controlling what is being reported. Based on your research, do you think Winerip’s book is realistic? Why and/or why not? (Standard 2; Benchmarks 1-4)
4. Read about times when journalists have not fact-checked their stories. (Refer to a resource like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_scandals ). Discuss why it is important to use two or three resources to verify facts before using them. (Standard 1; Benchmarks 1,2-5)
5. Find and share a dubious article from a tabloid. Use encyclopedias, dictionaries, library books, library databases or the internet to fact-check the claims made in the article. Make a comparison chart detailing how many of the facts were true, how many were false, and how many were incomplete and might lead to a false conclusion. (Standard 2; Benchmarks 1-3)
Similar Books for Further Reading
Balliett, Blue. CHASING VERMEER: Scholastic Press
Clements, Andrew. THE LANDRY NEWS: Simon & Schuster
Hiaasen, Carl. HOOT: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Haddix, Margaret P. RUNNING OUT OF TIME: Aladdin
