Customer Reviews

Adam Canfield of the Slash (The Slash Series)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mike Winerip may single-handedly save American journalism with this hilarious, suspenseful, deeply-satisfying story of elementary/middle school students discovering the joys -- and terrors -- of investigative reporting. Kids will adore this book and clamor for the sequel; some will be inspired to become real reporters (corrupt principals and corporate-TV toadies beware!) But it should also be irresistible to any grown-up who ever worked for a newspaper, laughed at "The Paper," or rooted for Woodward and Bernstein in "All the President's Men."

My 13-year-old who rarely enjoys reading could hardly put this book down. This is the equivalent of a rave review! It made him more interested in reporting--and he liked it so much he's asked the whole family to read it!

Michael Winerip's wonderful and exciting story about a middle school-age reporter who is learning about his school, his friends, his town and himself is fun, smart, full of energy and thrills but without pretension or predicability. There are scenes that are laugh out loud funny, some hilarious characters who ring all too true, and issues about right and wrong, good and bad, that are really important. Just as good: even the bad guys have real personalities. Subtle social differences dictated by education, money, race and personal history unfold at an unforced pace. Among other things, readers will understand, reading "Adam Canfiled of the Slash," just why it is that a free press, when it is free, is so exciting, why it can make a great a positive difference in society, and why a true democracy needs it. Even better, readers will see that even kids can make a difference. Fortunately, Winerip never lets his large themes overwhelm or distract from his story, which is fun, engrossing and very satisfying.

We had a long car trip planned so I picked up an audio tape of this book for the journey. Our 3 kids--13, 11, and 9--loved it. And my husband and I wouldn't let them listen unless we were there too. The kids laughed and got a sense of what it was to be a journalist. My husband and I (both involved in our local elementary/middle schools) loved the sub plot on testing in the modern era. Excellent for boys and girls and quite a range of ages.

I bought Adam Canfield of the Slash with the intention of reading it myself and then passing it on to my two teenage sons. Before I could get started, my 16-year-old grabbed it. When he looked very tired the next day, I asked him about the book. He told me that he stayed up most of the night in order to finish the whole book because he wanted to know what was going to happen at the end. He found it funny, interesting, irreverent and suspenseful.
My husband picked it up next. He doesn't usually read books written for kids, but he found this one had a great deal to offer adults. He especially liked the efficacious way the political and race relation themes ran throughout the book.
When my husband finished the book I finally got my chance with Adam Canfield. I throughly enjoyed it. There were times when I laughed out loud. There were parts of the book that helped me remember what it was like to be a kid. I was amazed that the author, a "grown-up" man, could write so well about what is actually going on in the minds of his young characters.
Finally, my 13 year-old son got to read it. He also loved it. He is the one in our family who is closest to Adam Canfield's age. The book felt very real to him. He told us that he thought that everything that happened in the book could actually happen to him and his friends in real life.
If you (or anyone in your family) want to read a funny, fabulous, insightful book about school age kids, who happen to be hard-working investigative reporters, then you should order this book today. You will not be dissapointed.

Adam Canfield of the Slash, by Michael Winerip shows the true meaning of guts. In the story, Adam Canfield, the co-editor of the Slash, (the school's newspaper), has a hard time finding stories to issue in the newspaper but little does he know that there is a mammoth story waiting to be revealed right there at Harris Elementary Middle School. Mrs. Marris, the school principal, takes money that was supposed to be donated to the school, and uses it to purchase gold plumbing in her bunker lavatory. Adam jumps all over the story but takes an immense risk that his permanent record will be scared for ever if he publishes the story in the paper. Adam has a poised sidekick named Jennifer who is an amazing student, and also extraordinarily intelligent. They have to put up with third grade club reporter Phoebe who won't stay out of their faces. Even though very annoying, and hyper, Phoebe has a very intoxicating pen, and a very keen sense of sniffing out front page stories. After a sequence of events happen Adam, Jennifer, and Phoebe realize the theme of this book, which is that if you work hard, and put a bunch of meaning into something, than it will be all worth it in the long shot.

This realistic fiction story seems like a nerdy book about a school newspaper but it's not. The Slash is a very fascinating newspaper that all of you would love to read. One of the stories is about a wooden cow that was stolen, and then about a year later some teenagers returned it! The character Adam is a very creative kid who wants to do only good for the world, but there is one thing that just makes him go crazy. His huge schedule. Adam has to balance school, the Slash, and his extracurricular activities. Jennifer is an extremely smart student, and knows a lot about pleasing people. Phoebe is just an annoying third grader who is exceptionally good at being a newspaper journalist. This story is comical at the right times, and gripping at others. I think that this story keeps you on your toes and compels you to keep reading!

Adam Canfield of the Slash is the story of a very busy middle school student, Adam Canfield. Adam Canfield has a busy schedule every day of the week. One day he'll have baritone practice, swimming, and football. Another he'll have band, chorus, and soccer. Adam is always running around. To make things even worse he becomes the co-editor of the school newspaper, The Slash! Now, Adam is in charge of getting the newspaper ready for each month's issue. His brain is now full of things to do.

Adam lives in a small town. He is very busy going to practices before and after mandatory classes for state testing. Although he's a 4+ student he still has to study, which he hates doing. Adam tries to study in his spare time but he doesn't always have enough time. Adam's coeditor is a girl named Jennifer. She is the most organized person he has ever met. Jennifer is one of Adam's best friends.

Jennifer and Adam both find out lots of mysteries in collaboration. The first thing they do to change their little town is find out that all accessory structures (basketball hoops) are going to be torn down. When Adam finds this out he is outraged and puts an article in the newspaper about it. When all of the parents of the children read the story they are also outraged. People start petitions and protests about it. Eventually they decide to go to court. The court decision said that people could keep their hoops.

The next article was about an old lady who left money to the school and how the school was using it for "general improvements". Miss Minnie Bloch left thousands of dollars to the elementary/middle school. Miss Bloch only wanted a small plaque or scholarship in her name. For gratitude, Mrs. Harris, the school's principal, was thinking of other things. All she wanted to do was put an article in the paper about the gift. The rest of the money she would spend on a new bathroom with gold faucets and piping.

In the end, Jennifer and Adam are much closer. This is a great book for all ages. I loved it and think others will love it just as much. Try to read this book as soon as you can.

The best writing and the most interesting story I have read for a long time!

Every aspiring reporter ought to read this funny and intelligent novel about the trials and tribulations of co-editors Adam and Jennifer. My son, self-appointed editor of his own homemade newspaper, and I very much look forward to a sequel.

Wonder how many young listeners have heard a teacher speaking to them in a stern voice, saying "I'd like a word with you." Whether they have or not they'll surely relate to Adam Canfield who seems to spend a lot of his time in hot water.

Voice performer Patrick G. Lawlor gives energetic voice to Adam as our hero muddles his way through school, and learns a few things on the way. Being the coeditor of a school paper, in this case, the Slash, is never easy. Somehow, his sidekick, Jennifer, knows much more about people pleasing, and a persistent third grade reporter turns out to have an advanced-for-her-age nose for news.

The trio face a dilemma when their run-ins with Principal Harris appear to becoming out and out warfare. Question is whether or not the kids can face down this powerful who has broken more than a few rules.

Highly recommended for upper elementary and middle schoolers.

- Gail Cooke