Viola Vincent Reporting

Viola Vincent Reporting #1

by Anna Kenna

This is a story about the power of one and about having the courage to chase the truth, whatever the consequences. Caitlin's life is shattered when her mother is seriously injured in a freak accident. She struggles to find her bearings in aworld that has totally changed. Her mother, once her rock, has tuned out. Her grandfather is angry and doesn't want toknow when Caitlin tries to tell him Mum's bike was dodgy. In the end, it's the ghost of her famous great-aunt, apioneering journalist, who eventually steers Caitlin s destiny and gives her the courage to take a stand.

ebook

Published January 12, 2017

About the author

Anna Kenna is a former radio and television reporter, turned children’s author. She has written several picture books, including The Essential Fairy, based on former New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern responding to the concerns of kids by declaring the tooth fairy an 'essential worker' in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Other titles include Bo, the heartwarming story of a retired greyhound who finds a new life as a pet, and the award-winning Viola Vincent Reporting junior fiction series. The novels, featuring teen reporter, Caitlin Nove, tackle real world problems through Caitlin's investigations into shoddy consumer goods, puppy mills and water contamination.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

Reviews

[Isa Rive · Rating 4 out of 5]

First impressions count, or in the case of books, it’s covers and opening sentences. The heroine on my version’s cover is obscured by a library sticker, somewhat diminishing its impact. However mentioning death and corpses in the first paragraph more than make up for the disappointment.
Viola Vincent is an anagram for Caitlin V Nove, a plucky spike haired tween with green eyes (metal mouth and a face framed with pimples). But discovering the existence of a famous reporter great aunt and her thirst to right a great injustice drives Caitlin to unravel the cause of a terrible accident.

Themes: Injustice, Determination, Single parent, Friendships, First Periods, School, Disability, set in NZ

Thoroughly enjoyable read written in an unadorned style. (All bar the highly irritating line where 2 male characters tease Caitlin & her mum for taking an interest in car colour and assume they are not interested in what’s under the hood - I mean seriously, do loose that line if it’s ever updated)

[Julia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Highly relatable characters in an Aotearoa New Zealand setting - easy to read, engaging and enjoyable. Extra kudos for the main character getting her first period - hello, how often does that happen in books yet it needs to be normalised.

I will be recommending this series to my students, especially those who read Friday Barnes Girl Detective.

[Kyla.Mcintosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot, it made me picture what the characters looked like.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and entertaining

Viola Vincent Reporting pulls you in from the start. A great combination of mystery and wit, with lots of heart. 12-year-olds will be inspired!

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one of the best books I've ever read! It's an uplifting beautiful story.