From the Editor's DeskA Question of FairnessThere has been no teaching so far this year in Mr. Larson's classroom. There has been learning, but there has been no teaching. There is a teacher in the classroom, but he does not teach.Cara Landry is a budding journalist. When she posts a scathing editorial about her burned-out teacher on the bulletin board one afternoon, everything changes. Prodded into action for the first time in years, Mr. Larson challenges his fifth-grade students to create a real newspaper. SoonThe Landry Newsgets more attention than either Cara or her teacher bargained for, as the principal uses the paper to try to get Mr. Larson fired. While the whole town is swept up in a dramatic debate overThe Landry Newsand the First Amendment, Mr. Larson uses the controversy as raw material for some of the finest teaching of his career. And Cara and her classmates learn the importance of tempering a newspaper's truth with mercy. But will their lessons cost Mr. Larson his job?Written by the author of the immensely popularFrindle,this is a compelling new novel about the collision of a student in need of a teacher with a teacher in need of inspiration. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 4-6-A fifth grader's scathing editorial criticizing her burned-out teacher spurs him to take his duties seriously. A terrific read about free speech, the power of the pen, and the need to temper truth with mercy. (July) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 4-6-A thought-provoking novel from the author of Frindle (S & S, 1996). Mr. Larson has taught for 20 years and he's burned out. His idea of the open-classroom method is to start his fifth graders on a project and then sit back and relax with coffee and a newspaper. So when Cara Landry writes a newspaper with an editorial about the lack of teaching going on in room 145, the former "Teacher of the Year" gets very upset. Realizing that the girl is stating the truth, he starts a unit on journalism and the class enthusiastically begins a newspaper. With Cara as editor, the project blossoms. However, when she allows a very personal and poignant story on divorce to be printed, the principal sees it as an opportunity to get rid of Mr. Larson. The teacher then uses the proceedings as a real-life lesson on the First Amendment. The children rally to his support, as does the faculty, and at a public hearing he is vindicated. With chapter headings reading like headlines, the plot moves quickly. Bits of humor lighten the theme of "Truth with Mercy." The author has created believable characters, from the beleaguered Mr. Larson to the intelligent and thoughtful Cara. Readers will cheer for both of them as they move toward the satisfying conclusion.-Anne Knickerbocker, Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 3^-7. Fifth-grader Cara Landry's homemade newspaper, The Landry News, is all about truth and education. That's why her teacher, Mr. Larson, is such a disappointment: once known for his innovative classes, he now lazily leaves students to learn on their own. Hoping to change this, Cara makes his ineffectual teaching the subject of an editorial, with both positive and negative repercussions. Mr. Larson is inspired to become a better teacher; Cara's paper becomes a rewarding classroom project. But the paper also provides the principal with an excuse to force Mr. Larson out, involving his students--and readers--in a thought-provoking exploration of freedom of speech, the impact of media blitzes and biases, and effective teaching methods. The depth of characterization, humor, realistic dialogue, and drama will engage readers; also, the accessible examples of responsible reporting, rewards of team efforts, constitutional rights, and how the relationship between students and educators can be mutually beneficial will be educational. Sure to stimulate classroom discussion, the novel offers students and teachers well-rounded perspectives and lessons on reconciling appearances with the real story--in the media as well as in private lives. --Shelle Rosenfeld From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.