Sam and Michael realize just how much their words matter when they tackle an important story for the Cherry Valley Voice . When Mr. Trigg tells Samantha and Michael that they should write an article about texting, they are both annoyed. Texting? Texting is just something kids do for fun. Where’s the story in that? But when Michael’s older brother gets into a car accident while texting, they suddenly realize how important their assignment actually is. Michael asks Mr. Trigg if he can write an additional sidebar to their article, and when the next issue of the Cherry Valley Voice comes out, the whole school is buzzing. Michael’s words have really affected everyone—the principal even puts a framed copy of the article in the main hallway outside of his office. Sam has always loved journalism, but now she experiences firsthand how much her words (and Michael’s) can truly impact the way people behave. What started out as a “fluff piece” turns out to be the story of the year! Rachel Wise loves to give advice. When she’s not editing or writing children’s books, which she does full-time at a publisher in New York, she’s reading advice columns in newspapers, magazines, and blogs—and is always sure her advice would be better! Her dream is to someday have her own talk show, where she could share her wisdom with millions of people at once, but for now she’s happy to dole out advice in small portions in Dear Know-It-All books. Texting 1, 2, 3 Chapter 1 BREAKING NEWS: YOUNG GIRL MELTS ON SIDEWALK DURING RECORD HEAT It’s hot. Right now as I sit on my front steps waiting for my BFF, Hailey Jones, and her mom to take us to the air-conditioned mall on the third day of an awful heat wave, it’s the kind of hot that makes me wonder if I could actually dissolve into a unrecognizable blob of goo by the time Hailey gets here. Breaking News: Young Girl Melts on Sidewalk During Record Heat is what I’m thinking. It’s also the kind of hot that makes me wish for a chill in the air and sweaters and, believe it or not, school. School just goes with fall. School also goes with seeing my forever and ever crush, Michael Lawrence, every day. I haven’t seen him since the town’s Fourth of July fireworks display, which was awesome. Hailey, Michael and his friend Frank, and I all went together. I couldn’t really call it a double date since Hailey says she doesn’t have a crush on Frank, but he definitely has a crush on her and maybe one of these days Hailey will like him back. Hailey says he’s a really nice guy, but his hair is too dark and his ears are too big for her taste. I think she’s actually afraid to like someone she knows has a big crush on her. But that secret’s just between me and me. Anyway, the way we decided to go together is because we ran into each other at the movies the night before and all decided to go together to the fireworks, so it was a group decision. I don’t think that officially counts as a double date. Still, Michael and I shared a cotton candy and sat pretty close while the fireworks were happening. I couldn’t tell what was making my heart beat faster—the fireworks or sitting on a picnic blanket in the dark with Michael Lawrence! Since then though, I haven’t seen him, like, at all. It’s been more than six weeks. He went to baseball camp, Hailey went to soccer camp, and I went to journalism camp. Hailey couldn’t understand why I’d want to spend any part of my summer writing. But journalism is my passion, just like soccer and sports in general are hers. I got to brush up on my reporting skills and learned lots of cool stuff about being a reporter. One thing I learned is that I should finish the story before I think of the headline, which is hard for me. I love headlines. Martone Believes Life Is a Series of Headlines. So I guess I need to have a little more patience when it comes to putting my stamp on the story. The only thing that bums me out about the start of school is that I’ve finished my tenure as Dear Know-It-All, the anonymous (I think!) advice columnist. It was a year-long gig, and since I did it all last year, my time is up. I can’t imagine not doing it, but I guess I’ll have more time to focus on the other writing I do for the paper. I also did NOT get to be editor in chief this year. I was hoping I would, but instead Jessica Kelly won the crown. Mr. Trigg said that I would make a great editor in chief and was one of the best reporters the Voice had ever had, but I still needed a little more experience under my belt. Jessica has been on the paper a year longer than I have, is super-organized, and a little bossy, which is maybe kind of how you need to be as editor in chief. So I get why Mr. Trigg chose her. It is an all-consuming job. I have to admit I was a little nervous about having that much responsibility, but I’m also disappointed because I was really up for the challenge. But Mr. Trigg said, “Ms. Martone, there’s still plenty of time to see great things from you,” so I guess I