Apples have layers?

Bauer, J. (2008) Peeled.  New York, NY: Penguin Group

Elizabeth Biddle is a reporter for her school’s newspaper, The Core.  Even though she is only in high school, she is determined to be the best reporter she can be.  When rumors start that an old abandoned house is haunted, the city paper starts reporting on it and insists the stories are true.  When strange out-of-towners start showing up their small farming community, Biddle’s intuition is that there is more to this story.  But someone doesn’t want their paper reporting on the issue.  The staff of The Core soon have to make a choice; Do they stand up for what they believe, or to fold to fear?

This was an intriguing read.  After looking at some of Bauer’s other titles, I was afraid this would turn into a teenage love drama story.  It was far from it.  There is a mild love story, but it isn’t the heart of the book.  This is a story about standing up for your community.  It’s a book about getting to the bottom of a mystery.  I have not read any of Bauer’s other books, but I do recommend this one.