Can You Believe It?

May 1, 2022
Books on internet safety abound; this title helps young students avoid a more subtle danger--fake news. Grant has no illusions that today's tech-savvy kids will abandon the internet in favor of print resources. Instead, she sets out to help tweens become media literate. Six chapters, each six to eight pages long, delve into ways kids can separate facts from falsehoods. Chapters build on the information previously presented with specific, understandable examples. An entire chapter is devoted to the tools and techniques of responsible journalism, whether online, on-air, or in print. Grant models good research techniques, citing respected sources within the text. Chapter 3 discusses bias in reporting and ways errors are corrected, emphasizing that "if a mistake is made on social media, it never goes away." Manageable blocks of text draw the reader's eye. Sidebars, some mimicking the layout of a tablet or phone screen, highlight important information. Terms defined in the glossary are bolded. Playful graphics featuring a diverse cast of kids clarify difficult concepts. Opportunities to practice critical thinking and test the concepts presented are woven throughout. Grant respects her audience; without judgment nor any patronizing tone, she injects humor into a serious subject. She encourages healthy skepticism when it comes to information posted online and demonstrates ways to fact-check before clicking "share." Though this one will be useful for language arts and social studies curricula, it's appealing enough that students may pick it up on their own. A valuable--and entertaining--guide to an important subject. (author's note, sources, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)

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