• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Izzy Wong's got a new podcast—and this time she's going to uncover the whole story.

A sixth-grade student with a purpose, Izzy wants to start her own hit investigative podcast. When the girls' washroom at her school mysteriously floods, she's finally got the perfect subject. It doesn't take long to figure out that a student did it on purpose—but who? Izzy sets out on an investigation to find the culprit and interviews anyone who might know anything, including teachers, students and even the principal. But when she runs into difficulty finding the truth and is presented with a juicy lead that may or may not be gossip—but brings in lots of new listeners—Izzy finds herself in hot water. Will her podcast get shut down before she has a chance to find the perpetrator?

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Raised in Morinville—a small town north of Edmonton, Alberta—Marty Chan is a playwright, radio writer, television story editor, and young adult author. Marty graduated from the University of Alberta in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (English major/drama minor). He fell into improv comedy when he joined Edmonton Theatresports, but his paralyzing stage fright resulted in ”penguin arm“ acting, forcing him to abandon performing and take up writing. His signature play, Mom, Dad, I’m Living With A White Girl, has been produced across Canada, published three times, and broadcast as a radio drama. The stage play won an Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Best New Work and the Adams Chinese Theatre Award at Harvard University. In October 2004, the play had a successful Off Broadway run in New York. Marty was a regular contributor to CBC Radio Edmonton from 1994 to 2000. His weekly commentary series, ”The Dim Sum Diaries,“ recounted his misadventures as the only Chinese kid in a small prairie town. These weekly commentaries were adapted into a half-hour television program (The Orange Seed Myth) which won a Gold Medal for Best Television Pilot at the Charleston World Film and Television Festival, and earned Marty a Gemini nomination for best writing in a children’s program. In 2004, Thistledown Press launched Marty’s first young adult novel, The Mystery of the Frozen Brains, which has become a hit with young readers across Canada. Resource Links magazine rated listed it as one of the Best Books of 2004 for grades 3 to 6. Marty was the first playwright in residence at the Citadel Theatre. He also served as the chair of the Edmonton Arts Council and taught playwriting at the U of A. He received an Arts Achievement Award and a Performance Award from the City of Edmonton. He also earned a Horizon Award from the university for his contributions to theatre. Currently, Marty resides in Edmonton with his wife Michelle and their two cats, Buddy and Max.

Marty Chan's profile page

“Izzy is a nuanced protagonist with a lot of heart, and middle-grade readers will root for her investigation while appreciating the impact of the mistakes she makes along the way. Never taking itself too seriously but giving the reader the podcast style they want, Chan’s story delivers a fun middle-grade novel about the importance of good reporting and fills the mystery with characters who have a lot of learning to do.”

Booklist

“With an age-appropriate love triangle, multiple suspects, and discussions about the difference between news and gossip, Izzy’s investigation has much to keep young readers engaged. Careful descriptions of the technical side of podcasting and insights from Izzy’s broadcast journalist mother offer an entry point to anyone curious about following in Izzy’s footsteps…A solid middle-grade mystery laced with leads for aspiring newshounds.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Shows the importance of sticking to your principles when things get difficult, as well as the need for understanding and not making rash assumptions about people. This is a good story to help readers understand that stories can take on a life of their own and that words hurt, no matter how good the intentions were.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News