Adam Canfield of the Slash

by Michael Winerip

Overview

"Between laughs, readers will be prompted to think — about what constitutes truth, how the media massages it, and the importance of ethics, fairness, and getting the facts right." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Adam Canfield has to be the most overprogrammed middle-school student in America. So when super-organized Jennifer coaxes him to be coeditor of their school newspaper, The Slash, he wonders if he’s made a big mistake. But when a third-grader’s article leads to a big scoop, Adam and his fellow junior journalists rise to the challenge of receiving their principal’s wrath to uncover some scandalous secrets. From a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and New York Times columnist comes a funny, inspiring debut that sneaks in some lessons on personal integrity — and captures the rush that’s connected to the breaking of a really great story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763627942
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	04/10/2007
Series:	Adam Canfield Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.13(w) x 7.63(h) x 0.88(d)
Lexile:	830L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Michael Winerip is the author of two previous novels about Adam Canfield. A Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and columnist for the New York Times, he lives in Lido Beach, New York.

Read an Excerpt

"Adam Canfield," said Mr. Brooks. "I need a word with you."

The teacher had his grade book open. He placed a sheet of paper under the row of boxes beside Adam’s name. "Notice anything?" asked Mr. Brooks.

Over half of Adam’s boxes had dots.

"Do you know what those dots are?" asked Mr. Brooks.

Adam was pretty sure he did, but was hoping against hope there was just the teeniest little chance they might be good dots.

"Class participation?" asked Adam.

"Tardiness," said Mr. Brooks. "We're three weeks into the school year,
Adam, and you’ve been late to my class ten times." It was true. Adam's row of boxes looked like it had caught the chicken pox.

He glanced out the door. Jennifer was waving frantically.

"I don't like to make too much of these things," said Mr. Brooks, especially with a good student, but—is there a problem, Adam?"

Was there a problem? Of course there was a problem. Adam was the most overprogrammed middle school student in America. He was on the verge of being enriched to death. The whole world plus Adam's parents were yelling at him to hurry up or he'd be late for his next activity. Late for baritone horn lesson, late for jazz band, late for marching band, late for the Math Olympiad club, late for the Quiz Bowl Gladiator meet, late for Geography Challenge, late for soccer, late for swimming, late for snowflake baseball, late for running club, and, yes, late for weekly rehearsals of the Say No to Drugs Community Players. No matter how hard Adam tried to concentrate on where he was supposed to be next, in the end he always seemed to be the late, late Adam Canfield.

And now, because he was getting yelled at by Mr. Brooks—his favorite teacher—for being late to World History, he was going to be late for the principal. Late for his meeting with Mrs. Marris! It was amazing how a few little problems could multiply and destroy a person.

_______________________
ADAM CANFIELD OF THE SLASH by Michael Winerip. Copyright (c) 2005 by Michael Winerip. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

Editorial Reviews

Adam Canfield, ace reporter for Harris Elementary/Middle School's paper, The Slash, smells a cover-up. The school's control-freak principal warns him to write only stories that "propel the Good Ship Harris forward," but he and his newspaper buddies uncover a few suspicious "holes in the bow": a hush-hush bequest, a scared-into-silence janitor, and pricey new gold fixtures in the principal's bathroom. Written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist, this thriller featuring gutsy, smart, ethical cub reporters offers razor-sharp wit, edge-of-your-seat excitement, and admirable role models for kids today. (ages 8 to 12)
Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2005

Just where is all the news that's fit to print? Well, it may be right at Harris Elementary/Middle School. Lawlor gives energetic voice to Adam Canfield, ace student reporter and new co-editor of the school newspaper, The Slash, as he and his colleagues uncover one of the biggest stories not only at the school, but the whole town. Questions of ethics (should they expose a potential scandal involving their principal?), the propriety of the education system, and the number of organized extracurricular activities one kid can handle, are solid undercurrents to this fresh and often-funny story. In Lawlor's capable hands, the tale takes off to entertaining heights-in addition to Adam, his characterization of third-grade cub reporter Phoebe is particularly good. Winerip, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the New York Times, knows a thing or two about newsrooms and reporting, giving this recording a depth that can be appreciated by listeners of many ages. Ages 8-12. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Gr 5-8-Middle schoolers will get a mini course in journalism in Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Michael Winerip's first novel (Candlewick, 2005). Adam Canfield has trouble keeping up with his many activities, so he's apprehensive when his best friend, Jennifer, talks him into co-editing Harris Elementary/Middle School's award winning newspaper, The Slash. He likes being an investigative reporter, but isn't sure how he will handle assigning stories, editing them, and all reining in third-grade cub reporter, Phoebe. Phoebe's story about the school janitor uncovers potentially damaging information about the school's principal, Miss Marris. In an unobtrusive manner, the reporters learn about journalistic ethics and rules of conduct, such as fact checking, using multiple sources, and always seeking the truth. The co-editors eventually face expulsion as they get closer to the truth about Miss Marris. Winerip uses clever dialogue, sarcasm, challenging vocabulary, and engaging characters to shine a light on bureaucratic incompetence, racism, political correctness, the misuse of power, and the current fixation on standardized tests. Although some of Winerip's adults are flawed and hypocritical, others are portrayed as honest, helpful, and well-meaning. Actor Patric Girard Lawlor provides a lively reading, reflecting adolescent enthusiasm. He hits the right notes in creating unique voices for all of the characters. Those who like Carl Hiaasen's Hoot (Knopf, 2002), Tangerine by Edward Bloor (Harcourt, 1997), and John Ritter's The Boy Who Saved Baseball (Philomel) will like this story about two smart, inventive and ethical friends.-Jo Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Intrepid elementary/middle-school newspaper reporters uncover scandals in this quick-moving, suspenseful and well-written comedy by an intrepid Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist. Overachiever Adam Canfield regrets agreeing to be co-editor of the school paper, but he has a crush on Jennifer, his fellow editor and he's committed to hard-hitting, courageous journalism. When a third-grade girl reporter shows as much spunk as him, he resents her, but follows up a story she's uncovered. He and Jennifer learn that their evil school principal is misusing school funds. Along the way, the kids deal with journalistic ethics and rely on solid reporting methods that may inspire some young readers toward journalism. Winerip's humor relies on campy, stereotyped villains and seems long at over 300 pages, but that's fine. The comedy scores and the writing zips along with real suspense, making this a fun, fast read. It's an excellent effort for Winerip's debut that should delight middle-school readers. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

Between laughs, readers will also be prompted to think.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From the Publisher

Adam Canfield just can't cut a break. If it isn’t quiz bowl, band, or homework, it's testing, annoying third-graders, or principals. Now that his friend Jennifer has roped him into being co-editor of the school paper, he stumbles upon a school scandal and must decide what to do. Patrick Lawlor juggles many subplots, as well as commentary on the current education system. While he doesn’t sound like a young character, the sharp edge to his narration maintains the momentum. Lawlor does an admirable job of portraying different characters, from a hyper third-grader to a kindly custodian to the oily Ms. Maris, school principal. J.M.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

AUG/SEP 05 - AudioFile