I thought this was a lovely middle grade book about a promising young reporter coming into her own and learning to be not only a decent reporter, but also a decent human.

Nita is thirteen the year she moves in next to the most notorious criminal in town. Earl Melvin spent many years in prison for having the audacity to become involved with a white woman. Court records accuse Mr. Melvin of doing something much worse when the relationship comes to light, but it turns out there is much more to the story.

Nita keeps her distance for the most part until the day she gets a quick glance at a notebook he is reading. From there her curiosity is piqued and she is on the trail of her next big story. Because, you see, Mr. Melvin says he is not guilty. And those journals tell a much different story than the one whispered around town.

This is a huge story for Nita and a huge opportunity as well. But it's possible that this might be the time this young reporter has gotten completely in over her head.