Izzy Wong's Nose for News - by Marty Chan (Paperback)

About the Book

In this quirky middle-grade novel, Izzy Wong finds the perfect subject for her podcast--investigating the school bathroom flooding that caused damage to classrooms. But the deeper she gets into her reporting, the more she blurs the line between truth and gossip...and right and wrong.

Book Synopsis

Izzy Wong's got a new podcast--and this time she's going to uncover the whole story.

A sixth-grade student with a purpose, Izzy wants to start her own hit investigative podcast. When the girls' washroom at her school mysteriously floods, she's finally got the perfect subject. It doesn't take long to figure out that a student did it on purpose--but who? Izzy sets out on an investigation to find the culprit and interviews anyone who might know anything, including teachers, students and even the principal. But when she runs into difficulty finding the truth and is presented with a juicy lead that may or may not be gossip--but brings in lots of new listeners--Izzy finds herself in hot water. Will her podcast get shut down before she has a chance to find the perpetrator?

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Review Quotes

"Izzy [grows] into her journalistic skills and herself, learning some sensitivity from her missteps and some wisdom from her peers and elders about the consequences of her actions."

-- "CanLit for Little Canadians"

"A delightful middle grade novel about ethics in journalism and growing up. Highly recommended."

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"Shows the importance of sticking to your principles when things get difficult, as well as the need for understanding and not making rash assumptions about people. This is a good story to help readers understand that stories can take on a life of their own and that words hurt, no matter how good the intentions were."

-- "Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children's Book News"

"Izzy is a nuanced protagonist with a lot of heart, and middle-grade readers will root for her investigation while appreciating the impact of the mistakes she makes along the way. Never taking itself too seriously but giving the reader the podcast style they want, Chan's story delivers a fun middle-grade novel about the importance of good reporting and fills the mystery with characters who have a lot of learning to do."

-- "Booklist"

"With an age-appropriate love triangle, multiple suspects, and discussions about the difference between news and gossip, Izzy's investigation has much to keep young readers engaged. Careful descriptions of the technical side of podcasting and insights from Izzy's broadcast journalist mother offer an entry point to anyone curious about following in Izzy's footsteps...A solid middle-grade mystery laced with leads for aspiring newshounds."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Marty Chan is an award-winning author of dozens of books for kids, including Cosplay Crime, Kung Fu Master and Haunted Hospital in the Orca Currents line, Dragon on the Loose and the award-winning Marty Chan Mystery series. He tours schools and libraries across Canada, using storytelling, stage magic and improv to ignite a passion for reading in kids. He lives in Edmonton.