Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting
Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey
Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
She Said Young Readers Edition
by Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered how reporters uncover secrets that change the world? Imagine stepping into the shoes of fearless journalists who expose powerful stories that everyone needs to hear. What challenges will they face to bring the truth into the light?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This nonfiction book adapts the New York Times bestseller 'She Said' for young readers, guiding teens through the process of investigative journalism. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters, it combines the real-life story of the Harvey Weinstein investigation with practical advice on journalism. Suitable for ages 13-18, it encourages critical thinking and media literacy while depicting complex social issues with sensitivity.
Why we rated Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting 11ME
Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting is written at a Level 6 reading level across 273 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Chasing the Truth: A Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting explores young adult nonfiction, girls & women, media studies, language arts, and composition & creative writing — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about young adult nonfiction, girls & women, media studies.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780593326992
- Pages
- 273
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2021-11-16
- Type
- Fiction