Parents' Guide to

The Landry News

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Rich with understanding of students and teachers.

Book Andrew Clements School 1999
The Landry News Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

jhoel arredondo
jhoel arredondo Parent of 12-year-old
October 11, 2010
age 12+
l think landay news book is ok. but the best book ever111111111111best 3333333333

This title has:

Too much consumerism
shakara
shakara Adult
February 12, 2009
age 9+

awsome

awsome
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Cara seems headed for trouble with her teacher, Mr. Larson, when she prints an editorial criticizing his teaching. But instead Cara and Mr. Larson find themselves joined in the fight of their lives against the principal and the school board. Once Mr. Larson was a great teacher. Now he is burned out, and spends his class periods hiding behind a newspaper while his students do as they please.

Cara Landry is new in school. She expresses her anger over her parents' divorce by creating a viciously accurate little newspaper, and includes an editorial on Mr. Larson's nonexistent teaching. This forces Mr. Larson to face what he has become, and Cara's mother, in despair, tells her, "When you are publishing all that truth, just be sure there's some mercy too."

Mr. Larson encourages Cara to lead the class in creating a school newspaper, whose motto is "Truth and Mercy." But while Mr. Larson begins to reconnect with his students--and Cara connects with her peers and channels her formidable talents into something positive--the principal sees the newspaper as the weapon he has been waiting for to force Mr. Larson out.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (4):

Andrew Clements has created another winning novel, rich with understanding of that peculiar institution -- school. Like the author's earlier novel, Frindle, this is about a gifted student and a gifted teacher in conflict. But if Frindle was about a student and a teacher -- each in top form -- engaged in an intellectual war, Mr. Larson and Cara Landry are near the bottom -- and each may be the other's hope for redemption.

This book deals with big, complex issues, including First Amendment rights in light of the Hazelwood decision, the spirit of a teacher ground down by the realities of his life, and the place where "mercy and truth are met together." Clement's strengths include respect for the intelligence of his readers. This book is inspiring because Clements, a former teacher, knows education is an ultimately ennobling activity that is concerned as much with the heart as with the head.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about responsible journalism. Cara's mother urges her to show mercy along with telling the truth.

  • Do you think the media generally demonstrate mercy? Should they?

Book Details

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