Hot off the press is a fun middle grade novel about a seventh-grade girl who finds her voice working as a cub reporter. A quasi-memoir by New York Times bestselling author, Cynthia L. Copeland, CUB is about her own experience in middle school navigating muddy social waters, friendships and pursuing her goal of becoming a real reporter.

Although set in the 1970s, the content is very relavent to today’s young girls and educates them about some of the hot button issues of the time—such as gender inequality, the enironment and political unrest during the Nixon presidency. It’s amazing how some of these issues are still headline news today.

My favorite aspect of the book is how the main character bounces back after her best friend joins the mean girl crowd. I’ve read many books where a friendship breakup sends the character realing and agonizing over the loss. In CUB, Cindy finds wonderful, new friends and focuses on her pursuit of being a reporter (way to go Cynthia).

The illustrations tell a poignant story as well and I wish everyone could have a graphic memior of a moment in their life. It would be far-out man!