The Leak
by Kate Reed Petty (Author) Andrea Bell (Illustrator)
In this compelling middle-grade graphic novel The Leak, Ruth, a young journalist, is determined to uncover a secret that threatens her town.
Ruth Keller is brash and precocious; she argues with her dentist, her parents, and her teachers. So, when she discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate.
Fortified by the encouragement of those around her, Ruth seeks the truth at all costs, even if it means taking on the rich local country club owner, who she believes is responsible for the pollution. Between the teasing of former friends, and a sudden viral spotlight, Ruth discovers how difficult it is for a journalist to take a stand for what's right in the face of critique and controversy.
From writer Kate Reed Petty and illustrator Andrea Bell, comes a story about corruption, pollution, and freedom of the press, and the young journalist at the center of it all.
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Gr 4-7--Aspiring journalist Ruth Keller, 12, finds the next big scoop for her newsletter when she and her crush discover black sludge in the lake. She unearths a possible cover-up and suspects the involvement of the Twin Oaks Country Club. With help from her science teacher Ms. Freeman and her brother's girlfriend, Sara, a New York Times intern, Ruth relies on her wits to unmask the culprits behind the water pollution. Ruth's narration keys the audience in to important aspects of journalism and lends the book an intimate tone. Set in fall 2015, the graphic novel spotlights coverage of the water crisis in Flint, MI, reminding readers of the real-life power of the press. Subplots involving middle school mean girls and minor family drama keep the tale accessible for a middle grade audience. Within panels with rounded edges, cartoonish illustrations rely on a neutral palette. Ruth, her family, and Sara are dark-skinned, but their ethnicity is not explicitly defined. VERDICT An absorbing work that emphasizes that even the youngest voices can have a resounding impact.--Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Kirkus
Review quotes
"The Leak" is a spirited story of civic responsibility, of how to tell fake news from the real thing, of when to trust adults and when to publicly stick it to them.—New York Times
Ruthie's quest for answers and justice offers the pleasures of a Carl Hiaasen eco-mystery, with smart, determined kids at the helm, respectful adults in supporting roles...and shady corporate suits and selfish politicians as hiss-worthy villains. The graphic novel format, ably bolstered by Bell's spot-on illustration of middle school emotions and milieu, will draw a diverse readership.—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksKate Reed Petty lives in Baltimore. Her fiction has appeared in Electric Literature, American Short Fiction, and more, and her short films have appeared in Narrative magazine and at the Maryland Film Festival. She is also the author of the novel True Story, published by Viking in 2020.
Andrea Bell is an illustrator and comic artist living in Chicago through the best and worst seasons. In 2013 she earned her BFA in Illustration from Columbia College Chicago and has since self-published Fair Voyage and Still Waiting. Today Andrea works as a freelance illustrator and in her free time enjoys rock climbing, curating playlists, video games, and a warm meme on a cold day.JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV029010 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | Environment
JUV008120 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Mystery & Detective
Graphic novels
Investigative reporting
Cartoons and comics
Comics (Graphic works)
Reporters and reporting
Pollution
Middle school students
Corruption
Detective and mystery comics
