Browse all books

Books with author Rachel Wise

  • Set the Record Straight!

    Rachel Wise

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, July 24, 2012)
    In this newsworthy addition to a tween-savvy series, Samantha learns the power of telling the truth as a budding middle-school advice columnist.Samantha loves working on her school newspaper staff, and she especially likes her job as the anonymous advice columnist “Dear Know-It-All.” She does her best to help her readers, but when a well-meaning suggestion backfires, Sam finds herself the victim of cyberbullying: Horrible emails fill her inbox, and she feels harassed. To make matters worse, she’s doing solid reporting about the bad food in the cafeteria, but that makes the cafeteria workers hostile and upset. Does everyone hate her? On the brink of a meltdown, Sam talks to her adviser, who says she can stop writing the advice column if she wants. Should Sam quit being Know-It-All and admit defeat, or is there a way she can defend herself and keep her job on the school paper?
    T
  • Old Story, New Twist

    Rachel Wise

    language (Simon Spotlight, Nov. 13, 2012)
    Samantha struggles to follow her own advice when writing a column for the school newspaper reveals a hidden desire.Samantha loves being a star reporter for the school newspaper, and she especially loves it when she’s teamed up with her crush, Michael Lawrence. So she’s especially upset when Mr. Trigg doesn’t pair them together—will Michael forget all about her if they don’t work together? And to make matters worse, Sam’s best friend likes a boy whom Sam can’t stand. How do your tell your best friend you think she has terrible taste? To keep her mind off of her own problems, Sam concentrates on writing her Dear Know-It-All advice column. While encouraging a letter writer who’s too shy to try out for the gymnastics team, Sam realizes that she’d secretly like to try out for the team herself. Sam advises the hopeful girl to “Go for it! Don’t be afraid! Reach for the stars!” But can Sam take her own advice?
  • Cast Your Ballot!

    Rachel Wise

    language (Simon Spotlight, Sept. 3, 2013)
    It’s election time at Cherry Valley Middle School, and Sam thinks she’s got the scoop on the candidates! But her investigative journalism reveals some surprises…Cherry Valley Middle School is holding elections for class president—and the choice couldn’t be more obvious to Samantha Martone. John Parker is clearly the better candidate: he’s articulate, handsome, charismatic, and full of great ideas. (Longer lunch hours, less homework, and iPads for the newspaper staff!) But Mr. Trigg reminds Sam to (1) Do her research and (2) Stay objective. And in the process of practicing good journalism, Sam realizes that while John looks and sounds great, he might not actually be the best pick.
  • Digital Disaster!

    Rachel Wise

    language (Simon Spotlight, March 5, 2013)
    When the newspaper staff goes digital, they learn the hard way that backup files are anything but optional.Cherry Valley Middle School has all-new computers, which means the school newspaper can produce its first-ever online edition of The Cherry Valley Voice. Sam loves desktop publishing and enjoys cutting and editing stories online and getting instant visual feedback. And it’s amazing that the paper can go “live” at the press of a button! But when it’s time for that button to be pressed, a terrible thunderstorm prompts a power surge that wipes out the entire issue. And no one has created backup copies of their work! The next day is the class trip to the amusement park, which Sam and the rest of the newspaper staff have been looking forward to for ages. But will the trip be everything Sam hopes for, or will that, too, turn into a big disaster?
  • A Level Playing Field

    Rachel Wise

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, Sept. 25, 2012)
    A middle-school star reporter has a tough time taking a stance on a story when her cowriter is also her crush.Samantha really enjoys writing for her school newspaper, particularly when she’s assigned to write with Michael Lawrence, who happens to also be her crush. She’s thrilled to work with him—but less thrilled to realize they disagree on how the article should be written. The topic is whether students should pay for extracurricular activities, such as sports, and Samantha thinks it’s a good idea. After all, baseball isn’t as important as math or language arts, she argues. But try telling that to the star pitcher on the school’s baseball team! Maybe Samantha’s headline should be Trouble in the Newsroom!All’s not fair in love and journalism in this newsworthy addition to a tween-savvy series.
    T
  • Digital Disaster!

    Rachel Wise

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, March 5, 2013)
    When the newspaper staff goes digital, they learn the hard way that backup files are anything but optional.Cherry Valley Middle School has all-new computers, which means the school newspaper can produce its first-ever online edition of The Cherry Valley Voice. Sam loves desktop publishing and enjoys cutting and editing stories online and getting instant visual feedback. And it’s amazing that the paper can go “live” at the press of a button! But when it’s time for that button to be pressed, a terrible thunderstorm prompts a power surge that wipes out the entire issue. And no one has created backup copies of their work! The next day is the class trip to the amusement park, which Sam and the rest of the newspaper staff have been looking forward to for ages. But will the trip be everything Sam hopes for, or will that, too, turn into a big disaster?
    Q
  • Black and White and Gray All Over

    Rachel Wise

    language (Simon Spotlight, May 21, 2013)
    Sam needs some serious advice when a new staff member competes for newspaper bylines—and for her crush’s attention.Cherry Valley is abuzz when a new girl comes to town from the UK. Kate Bigley has dark hair, bright blue eyes, and an English accent—and she has dreams of being a reporter. Mr. Trigg is thrilled when Kate joins the Cherry Valley Voice staff, but Sam is less excited to have some competition. Especially when Kate is paired up with Michael Lawrence for the next big cover story. What if Sam’s crush gets a crush on someone else?
  • Cast Your Ballot!

    Rachel Wise

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, Sept. 3, 2013)
    It’s election time at Cherry Valley Middle School, and Sam thinks she’s got the scoop on the candidates! But her investigative journalism reveals some surprises…Cherry Valley Middle School is holding elections for class president—and the choice couldn’t be more obvious to Samantha Martone. John Parker is clearly the better candidate: he’s articulate, handsome, charismatic, and full of great ideas. (Longer lunch hours, less homework, and iPads for the newspaper staff!) But Mr. Trigg reminds Sam to (1) Do her research and (2) Stay objective. And in the process of practicing good journalism, Sam realizes that while John looks and sounds great, he might not actually be the best pick.
    T
  • Stop the Presses!

    Rachel Wise

    language (Simon Spotlight, July 8, 2014)
    Sam’s love of newsprint clashes with her love for the planet—and her BFF—in a Dear Know-It-All conflict of newsworthy proportions!When Sam hears Cherry Valley Middle School is “going green,” she is delighted. Saving the Earth is very important to Sam, plus, she knows she can get a great story out of it. But that’s before she finds out one of the environmentally friendly suggestions is to stop printing The Cherry Valley Voice! Who would dare to suggest that the school newspaper be published only online? When she discovers the idea came from her BFF, Hailey, Sam gets even more upset. How will Dear Know-It-All solve this total disagreement?
  • Late Edition

    Rachel Wise

    language (Simon Spotlight, Jan. 14, 2014)
    Sam’s stress level is at an all-time high, and it’s affecting the quality of her Dear Know-It-All column—and her bedtime!Sam can’t sleep! She has two book reports to write, plus a big science test, an article for the Cherry Valley Voice newspaper, and her anonymous Dear Know-It-All column…all due the same week. It’s too much, so Sam is stressing out. And it doesn’t help that her crush, Michael Lawrence, comments that the Dear Know-It-All columns aren’t as good as usual. Sam knows worrying won’t help, but that doesn’t keep her from waking up in the middle of the night. What can she do to get some rest from her stress?
  • Read All About It!

    Rachel Wise

    Paperback (Simon Spotlight, July 24, 2012)
    In this start to an all-new series, Samantha begins writing her school paper’s advice column—and finds out fast that some things are easier said than written.Every middle-school girl has questions about her future, but to star school newspaper reporter Samantha Martone, getting the scoop is her life. Sam plans to travel the world someday as a journalist, and in the meantime she’s thrilled that her newspaper adviser, Mr. Trigg, has chosen her for a special gig: For the next year, she’ll be the school’s anonymous advice columnist. Being the voice of “Dear Know-It-All” is exciting, and an important secret to keep—especially when Sam figures out that one of the letters she receives is actually from her best friend. Sam’s mortified to learn her BFF also has a crush on fellow newspaper staffer—and pitcher for the baseball team—Michael Lawrence. Can Sam still give good advice when her own love interest is on the line?
    N
  • Digital Disaster!

    Rachel Wise

    Hardcover (Simon Spotlight, March 5, 2013)
    When the newspaper staff goes digital, they learn the hard way that backup files are anything but optional.Cherry Valley Middle School has all-new computers, which means the school newspaper can produce its first-ever online edition of The Cherry Valley Voice. Sam loves desktop publishing and enjoys cutting and editing stories online and getting instant visual feedback. And it’s amazing that the paper can go “live” at the press of a button! But when it’s time for that button to be pressed, a terrible thunderstorm prompts a power surge that wipes out the entire issue. And no one has created backup copies of their work! The next day is the class trip to the amusement park, which Sam and the rest of the newspaper staff have been looking forward to for ages. But will the trip be everything Sam hopes for, or will that, too, turn into a big disaster?
    Q