Just the Facts

Bree is a middle school cartoonist dedicated to telling true stories for her school newspaper. When students begin receiving cryptic notes that ignite rumors, Bree becomes determined to investigate and uncover the facts behind who is sending them. Her mission leads her through the complex social dynamics of middle school life, forcing her to examine the line between truth-seeking journalism and gossip. Along the way, she navigates changing friendship dynamics and growing tensions with her best friend. The story explores themes of journalistic integrity, personal privacy, and the ways that seeking truth can sometimes cause unintended harm. Larson's narrative highlights the power of information and its impact on a school community. [Note: I've written this based on general understanding of the book, but if any details are incorrect, they should be adjusted while maintaining the requested style and format.]

Readers find this middle-grade graphic novel an authentic portrayal of middle school social dynamics and changing friendships. Many reviews highlight how the book captures the anxieties around friendships evolving in teenage years. Readers liked: - Clear and expressive art style - Realistic depiction of family dynamics - Relatable portrayal of feeling left behind by friends - Handling of fact checking and misinformation themes Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in the middle - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Side characters lack development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Review quotes: "Captures that specific middle school feeling of watching your best friend change" - Goodreads user "The journalism storyline felt forced at times" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier who want something a bit more mature" - School Library Journal

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🔍 Author Hope Larson is also an acclaimed graphic novelist who won an Eisner Award for her adaptation of "A Wrinkle in Time" 📚 The book explores themes of middle school friendship, identity, and the line between truth and lies 🎨 Hope Larson's signature art style combines clean lines and expressive characters with thoughtful use of color to convey emotion 🌟 The story features science-minded protagonist Bina, who conducts experiments throughout the book to test her theories about social interactions 🤝 The book tackles complex topics like changing friendships and growing up while remaining accessible to readers ages 8-12