Breaking the News: What's Real, What's Not, and Why the Difference Matters

by Robin Terry Brown

In this timely and relevant title, National Geographic Kids shines a light on the history of news to reveal where we started, how far we've come, and the serious impact that misinterpretation and misinformation can have on the world.

Headlines leap out at us from mobile phones, TV screens, computers, newspapers, and everywhere we turn. Technology has opened up exciting new ways to tell interesting stories, but how much of it is news ... and how much is just noise? This refreshing and up-to-date media literacy book gives kids the tools they need to distinguish what is fact from what is fiction so that they can make smart choices about what to believe.

Topics cover a broad range, from defining freedom of speech, the journalists' code of ethics, the dangers of propaganda, and the future of news.

Packed with profiles of influential journalists, fun facts, and iconic photographs, this ultimate guide to the information age will get kids thinking about their relationship and responsibility to media.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Professional Development

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2020

Reviews

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

Breaking the News teaches kids how to use discernment when it comes to reading about what’s going on in the world. In today’s social media-focused world, we’re exposed to many “news” stories that are either completely made up or misconstrued. The book teaches kids what news sources to trust and how to spot doctored photos. It also talks about the differences between true newscasting with as little bias as possible and the opinion shows that have become so popular. In addition to all that, the book gives a bit of history and background about journalism in general, highlighting journalists who have made a difference in the world with their reporting. I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but nonetheless, I found this book to be quite engaging. It would be a great book to have in a classroom where kids could page through it at their leisure!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Media Masters Publicity for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[ari]

Read for the 2025 library challenge.

[Annetherese Biesiada · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Truth, no matter how bad, is never as dangerous as a lie in the long run" Ben Bradlee

This is a wonderful Juvenile book that is full of necessary information for our youth. This book will teach you and your children how to be media literate and how to use their media literacy skills. It's a scary world when 60% of youth and adults believe social media opinion without question. Headlines and articles that illicit strong emotion are forwarded to thousands even if the article is never read!! This book will uncover your bias, distinguish between real and fake websites, and help sniff out fabricated sources and test your ability to find a phony photograph.

[Rachel Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

National Geographic is a fantastic producer of colorful, well-laid out, informative nonfiction. This is the most comprehensive book on news and journalism written for teens that I have ever seen. It would be a perfect text for a journalism class. That being said, it is fairly long and I don't see most middle or high school students reading it cover to cover. Lots of great info here, but really, LOTS of info here. It would be a good teaching resource to 0upl out a few pages as necessary as it relates to a topic in class. Already on my MS library shelves.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb for kids and a great reminder to adults about the news. It gives historical background along with timely examples. Layout is reader or browser friendly with multiple photos and information boxes on most pages. Highly recommend as a nonfiction nightly or home school read as discussion questions are interspersed throughout.

[Melissa Orth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to explain the history of journalism, yellow journalism and the current importance of the media. Teaches news literacy, explains spin, bias, and propaganda, and how to trust what you read and watch on tv. Warns against the use of social media as an avenue to information and how Fb was used in the 2016 election. All aimed at a teen audience. Solid.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and readable overview of the history of the news industry and the sea-chance we've seen in the way news is covered in this age of social media. Includes some helpful tips for fact-checking, website evaluation, how to avoid clickbait, and predicts ways the industry will continue to evolve.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comprehensive book has just enough about every media literacy topic, with examples, fun facts, and primary sources. I am going to use this a lot in my middle school library classes for my media literacy unit.

[Karthika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to journalism

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, browsable non-fiction that can be used to teach media literacy