(3) 4-6 Get Real series. Investigative reporter Casey Smith has a nose for hard-hitting news--exposing a pollution cover-up and a cheating ring in these two well-paced mysteries. Precocious eleven-year-old Casey is an engaging protagonist, in part because her strong points are also her flaws: she's tenacious/stubborn, funny/sarcastic, assertive/aggressive. Ellerbee's dialogue is snappy and entertaining, and her final girls-can-do-anything pep talk will gratify female readers.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 Get Real series. Investigative reporter Casey Smith has a nose for hard-hitting news--exposing a pollution cover-up and a cheating ring in these two well-paced mysteries. Precocious eleven-year-old Casey is an engaging protagonist, in part because her strong points are also her flaws: she's tenacious/stubborn, funny/sarcastic, assertive/aggressive. Ellerbee's dialogue is snappy and entertaining, and her final girls-can-do-anything pep talk will gratify female readers.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Get Real series. Following her nose for news, investigative reporter Casey Smith is chasing down two big stories for her middle school's newspaper--who or what is "haunting" Purser Cemetery, and who is sabotaging the student government elections. The chatty tone strains for authenticity, but Casey is an appealing protagonist.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(4) 4-6 Get Real series. Following her nose for news, investigative reporter Casey Smith is chasing down two big stories for her middle school's newspaper--who or what is "haunting" Purser Cemetery, and who is sabotaging the student government elections. The chatty tone strains for authenticity, but Casey is an appealing protagonist.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler