Dear Know-It-All Series

Sam and Michael realize just how much their words matter when they tackle an important story for the Cherry Valley Voice. When Mr. Trigg tells Samantha and Michael that they should write an article about texting, they are both annoyed. Texting? Texting is just something kids do for fun. Where’s the story in that? But when Michael’s older brother gets into a car accident while texting, they suddenly realize how important their assignment actually is. Michael asks Mr. Trigg if he can write an additional sidebar to their article, and when the next issue of the Cherry Valley Voice comes out, the whole school is buzzing. Michael’s words have really affected everyone—the principal even puts a framed copy of the article in the main hallway outside of his office. Sam has always loved journalism, but now she experiences firsthand how much her words (and Michael’s) can truly impact the way people behave. What started out as a “fluff piece” turns out to be the story of the year!

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

Samantha writes a review of her sister’s play for the school newspaper—but her honest opinions provoke some serious offstage drama! Samantha is thrilled when she and her crush, Michael Lawrence, are assigned to write a review of the school play for the next issue of the newspaper. The Broadway revival will be a joint production between the middle school and the high school and is going to be the event of the school year, according to Allie, Sam’s older sister. But when Sam and Michael leave the theater, they’re less than impressed. Allie performed well, but the show had some flaws—props and lighting malfunctioned and the lead actress forgot a few lines. So Sam and Michael turn in a review that is fair if not flattering…and the Drama Club is furious! To make matters worse, Allie accuses Sam of being jealous. Sam is faced with a big dilemma: Is it better to be honest, or flattering?

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.

When Sam’s crush gives her a confidential lead, she has to decide whether it stays on the record or off. A school statue has been destroyed, and it’s up to star reporter Sam Martone to figure out who’s responsible. But then Sam’s supercrush (and writing partner) Michael Lawrence admits he knows the culprit…and it’s his friend…and it was an accident. Sam is shocked—and stumped. Should she keep quiet or report the story?

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?

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?

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?