16 Jul / Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist’s Guide to Investigative Reporting: She Said Young Readers Edition by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, adapted by Ruby Shamir [in School Library Journal]
Serial collaborator Ruby Shamir fortuitously adapts journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s essential 2019 She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement, providing young journalists not only an illuminating window into the industry, but also empowering young women, especially, to speak out and challenge injustices and abuses.
After voicing She Said, Rebecca Lowman returns as narrator here, sounding very much like the big sister every young person needs in demanding situations. She’s encouraging and understanding, with just enough alarm when she needs to signal a warning, but never resorting to over-emoting. Lowman’s assured delivery highlights Kantor and Twohey’s goal “to document the facts,” “without bias or agenda,” while elevating the courage of the many women who bravely broke their silence.
Verdict: Lowman adroitly enhances an already vital chronicle of a pivotal moment in journalism history.
From the introduction: All the titles here are nonfiction; most feature difficult subjects including history, climate change, systemic racism. Some might ask, why expose younger readers to challenging, unpleasant, haunting truths? One of the featured writers, Hilary Beard, provides the consummate answer back in her introduction to The Burning:
“…the fact that something is upsetting to us doesn’t mean that we should not engage it. Facing the truth empowers us to understand our self, our neighbors, and our world more accurately; to make appropriate choices and decisions; to heal the past and present and build a more promising future. Together.”
Readers: Young Adult
Published: 2021