Chasing the truth A young journalist's guide to investigative reporting

In this young adult edition of She Said (2019), the best-selling book about the Harvey Weinstein case, coauthors and New York Times reporters Kantor and Twohey offer teen readers insights into how investigative journalism works. The book begins with brief accounts of the authors' backgrounds and motivations, along with exhortations about the social good that can come from careful investigation (wrongdoings exposed, voices returned to the silenced, justice restored). Next comes a detailed, event-by-event description of their investigation into Weinstein, set within appropriate and ample context. The accessible text, which includes explanations, character profiles, and conversations, moves along briskly. The authors emphasize Weinstein's power and influence, including the layers of secrecy that frustrated their efforts, and highlight the bravery of the women who came forward. They also reveal how extremely difficult it is to pursue and prove sexual harassment complaints, leaving the verdict in doubt until the very end. Soon to become a movie, this real-life account is gripping, and, thanks to its extremely satisfying conclusion, should inspire feminists and future investigative reporters alike.

Gr 9 Up--Serial collaborator Shamir fortuitously adapts journalists Kantor and 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.

In this adaptation of their bestselling She Said (2019), two journalists for the New York Times describe the reporting process that led to their breaking the story of Harvey Weinstein's serial sexual harassment. In 2017, journalist Kantor, who had spent some years unearthing and reporting on corporate gender bias, convinced actress Rose McGowan to talk to her about mistreatment of women in the entertainment industry and, specifically, about an incident with the noted producer. This was the beginning of a monthslong investigation by Kantor and fellow reporter Twohey that culminated in a series of stories that fanned the flames of the #MeToo movement and led to the loss of Weinstein's job, reputation, and freedom following a court conviction. Adapter Shamir has tightened the narrative in the adult original and focused it more sharply on the reporting of that particular story. This version introduces more background information about the reporters and the reasons behind their methods; removes stories about Donald Trump, Christine Blasey Ford, and Brett Kavanaugh; and includes a final section containing solid advice for aspiring teen journalists. Throughout this fast-paced and gripping account, they show how the process of carrying out this type of groundbreaking investigative work is accomplished. Their eye-opening revelations will inspire and leave an indelible mark on readers. A timely, critical read about the ways power and privilege work in our society. (note to readers, endnotes) (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Dear readers, Welcome to our book and our partnership. In these pages, we're inviting you on a journey to find the truth, hear from people who had previously been silenced, and hold powerful wrongdoers accountable. This is also an invitation into investigative journalism. You're probably already immersed in general news coverage, reporting that accurately describes what's visible in the world around us. Presidential elections. Natural disasters. The deaths of notable public figures. This kind of journalism can connect us with other people's struggles and joys and make all of us witnesses to history. Many school papers include news reporting: on basketball games won or lost, or the appointment of a new principal. Investigative reporting has a different goal: to uncover what's been hidden, to reveal injustice or other wrongdoing. It isn't about being an activist or advocating for a particular point of view--the only agenda is to follow the facts. Because facts are so powerful, this work can spur tremendous change. Over the years, investigative reporters have broken stories that have touched every aspect of our daily lives, spurring social movements, shifts in power, reforms, and greater safety. By investigating a break-in at the Watergate apartment complex in Washington, DC, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein revealed corruption that reached the highest levels of the White House and eventually brought down the Nixon presidency. We are proud that our investigation of harassment and abuse by the powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein fits into this tradition. As you read this book, we want you to feel included and inspired. Maybe you don't know any reporters or authors or don't recognize many from backgrounds similar to yours. It's possible that you rarely encounter print newspapers in your community. Social media may be the main way that you and your friends get and share information. But young journalists can do investigative reporting as well. If you found that wealthy students were deploying test preparation and private counselors to an unfair advantage in college admissions, or that local elementary schools didn't have air-conditioning in the hot summers, or that the football team was hazing new members in abusive ways--those stories could light up discussion in your community and perhaps spur action. In this book, we've tried to turn our work on Harvey Weinstein into a manual for this type of reporting. (To avoid confusion, we write about ourselves in the third person. In a first-person account of our reporting, which was collaborative but often involved us following separate threads, "I" could be either Jodi or Megan.) Thank you for joining us for the duration of these pages, for puzzling through these events and clues as we have, for witnessing what we witnessed, and for hearing what we heard. We hope you feel welcome and that you'll consider a lifetime commitment to this work, as a journalist, a source, or a reader. Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey Excerpted from Chasing the Truth: a Young Journalist's Guide to Investigative Reporting: She Said Young Readers Edition by Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.