Ages 7-10.

Carver Elementary school students Nikki and Deja are inseparable friends. As they sit on the porch before homework time, they realize that their street is full of intriguing goings-on and stories. The friends decide to write a neighborhood newsletter with only the interesting, “newsy” news that catches readers’ attention. When a slow news week tempts Nikki and Deja to be creative with their story details, they find themselves in deep trouble.

As the third book in the Nikki and Deja series, Newsy News requires no background knowledge of the friends’ previous stories from readers. The effective transitional chapter book format helps will emergent readers to feel successful. Each chapter begins with a descriptive title and a small illustration to provide story clues. Most chapters include a full page and quarter page illustration of the girls’ activities.

While the girls learn an important lesson about ethical journalism, the moral of the story is not overbearing, and Nikki and Deja do not transform into impossibly perfect children. They remain appealing and relatable characters who have fun and learn together, but occasionally have trouble sharing and listening to each other.

Readers will want to make friends with this enterprising and creative duo of pals. Recommended. ( )