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Developing Digital Detectives: Essential Lessons for Discerning Fact from Fiction in the ‘Fake News’ Era
From the authors of the bestselling Fact vs. Fiction , this book offers easy-to-implement lessons to engage students in becoming media literacy “digital detectives,” looking for clues, questioning motives, uncovering patterns, developing theories and, ultimately, delivering a verdict.
The current news landscape is driven by clicks, with every social media influencer, trained and citizen journalists chasing the same a viral story. In this environment, where the race to be first on the scene with the most sensational story often overshadows the need for accuracy, traditional strategies for determining information credibility are no longer enough. Rather than simply helping students become savvy information consumers, today’s educators must provide learners with the skills to be digital detectives – information interrogators who are armed with a variety of tools for dissecting news stories and determining what’s real and what isn’t in our “post-truth world.”
This
As the authors “Remember, the detective’s job is NOT to prove themselves correct. Their job is to detect the truth!” This statement reflects the way they approach the lessons in this book, providing clear and practical guidance to help educators address and overcome this ever-expanding issue.
K-12 educators and library media specialists
The current news landscape is driven by clicks, with every social media influencer, trained and citizen journalists chasing the same a viral story. In this environment, where the race to be first on the scene with the most sensational story often overshadows the need for accuracy, traditional strategies for determining information credibility are no longer enough. Rather than simply helping students become savvy information consumers, today’s educators must provide learners with the skills to be digital detectives – information interrogators who are armed with a variety of tools for dissecting news stories and determining what’s real and what isn’t in our “post-truth world.”
This
As the authors “Remember, the detective’s job is NOT to prove themselves correct. Their job is to detect the truth!” This statement reflects the way they approach the lessons in this book, providing clear and practical guidance to help educators address and overcome this ever-expanding issue.
K-12 educators and library media specialists
- GenresNonfictionEducationAdult
248 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2021
33 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 7, 2022
A fresh and accessible resource for teaching students and adults alike the best practices for evaluating websites, news and social media. The concept of the four lenses is the first solid idea I have heard in a long time that I think will actually stick with my students. Bonus is that the Evidence Locker, a digital resource developed with the book, has units and printable resources already to go to dive right in. I'm starting with my students right away!
October 23, 2021
In our digital world, Developing Digital Detectives is an incredible resource and must-have book for every classroom in every school!
November 2, 2021
I learned so much! I love all the resources too. A must-read for all educators, this book includes additional resources to use with students in grades K-12.
July 23, 2025
This book gave me a fresh, realistic way to teach students how to think critically about what they see online. The four lenses are easy to use and helped me with tips and techniques on applying finding reliable online resources and the approach media literacy in my classroom. It is relatable, not overwhelming or overly technical. I appreciated the examples and how flexible the strategies are across grade levels.
June 23, 2023
The best book I’ve read for teaching in a long time. Practical inquiry-based strategies to help students become critical thinkers about the mis/dis/mal-information they encounter in their lives. Invaluable resource for anyone currently working in education!
September 11, 2022
This is exactly what I needed to help set up some research lessons in my middle school library. If you can take the book study, even better. Lots of resources given!
July 14, 2025
As a school librarian, I found Developing Digital Detectives to be an essential and timely read—not just for librarians, but for classroom teachers as well. The authors do an excellent job highlighting the critical need for teaching students how to think deeply and critically about the information they consume. In today’s world, this type of thinking is more important than ever.
What sets this book apart is its practical application. The authors don’t just discuss why media literacy matters—they provide concrete strategies and steps for integrating these skills into instruction. The frameworks and “lenses” they share are accessible and immediately useful in an educational setting.
Honestly, I found myself wishing more adults could engage with this content. The ability to evaluate information with clarity and skepticism isn’t just a student skill—it’s a life skill—and it is apparent how much we need it.
What sets this book apart is its practical application. The authors don’t just discuss why media literacy matters—they provide concrete strategies and steps for integrating these skills into instruction. The frameworks and “lenses” they share are accessible and immediately useful in an educational setting.
Honestly, I found myself wishing more adults could engage with this content. The ability to evaluate information with clarity and skepticism isn’t just a student skill—it’s a life skill—and it is apparent how much we need it.
October 12, 2022
The idea of this book is great, and I really liked that there is a companion website with ready-made resources and lessons that you can use. The downside is that many of the resources still require a lot of prep on your part, as far as finding news stories to use as a jumping off point. It would be nice if the activities had some pre-made scenarios to use that were made to be kid-friendly.
The activities are for 4th grade through high school. However, some of the ones for 4th-5th grade seem a bit challenging, unless you are at a school where students tend to be on or above grade-level.
I struggled to get through this book though, because from the very first page of the introduction, it is clear that the authors have a significant political bias and even make statements about political events that include misinformation. Its hard to take the book seriously when the authors themselves are guilty of the very thing they are preaching about not doing.
In one of the better mini-lessons that I viewed (on the companion website), there were questions that implied you shouldn’t criticize climate change and you shouldn’t criticize gender transitioning children. Seeing as how there is plenty of evidence to support both of those criticisms, it again shows the bias of the content creators.
The final nail in the coffin was the statement in the mini-lessons (from the companion website) that says “Note: fact checking websites (such as PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, Washington Post Fact Checker, Snopes.com, Fact Check from Duke Reporters’ Lab, SciCheck, NPR FactCheck, or Hoax Slayer etc.), are often good resources for finding content that has been debunked or proven false.” How many times has Politifact rated something as false, only to admit the claim was true in their lengthy explanation? Way too many.
It also became very tiresome to constantly read references to and excerpts from the authors’ previous book. It would be like 5-6 times in some chapters. Very redundant.
The activities are for 4th grade through high school. However, some of the ones for 4th-5th grade seem a bit challenging, unless you are at a school where students tend to be on or above grade-level.
I struggled to get through this book though, because from the very first page of the introduction, it is clear that the authors have a significant political bias and even make statements about political events that include misinformation. Its hard to take the book seriously when the authors themselves are guilty of the very thing they are preaching about not doing.
In one of the better mini-lessons that I viewed (on the companion website), there were questions that implied you shouldn’t criticize climate change and you shouldn’t criticize gender transitioning children. Seeing as how there is plenty of evidence to support both of those criticisms, it again shows the bias of the content creators.
The final nail in the coffin was the statement in the mini-lessons (from the companion website) that says “Note: fact checking websites (such as PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, Washington Post Fact Checker, Snopes.com, Fact Check from Duke Reporters’ Lab, SciCheck, NPR FactCheck, or Hoax Slayer etc.), are often good resources for finding content that has been debunked or proven false.” How many times has Politifact rated something as false, only to admit the claim was true in their lengthy explanation? Way too many.
It also became very tiresome to constantly read references to and excerpts from the authors’ previous book. It would be like 5-6 times in some chapters. Very redundant.
November 23, 2021
Educators at all grade levels will benefit from the concepts and lesson plans in this book. Teach students how to evaluate resources, detect information intended to mislead, and interact with content they find online. The book includes not only lessons and resources, but also access to the "evidence locker" that is chock full of additional digital content that can be immediately implemented. Both mini lessons and longer units are included. I can't say enough good things!
April 4, 2022
This is a must-read for educators who want to teach timely and relevant media literacy skills. The author goes beyond the familiar skills of vetting authors and engaging in lateral reading to incorporate social-emotional learning and questions of how content changes based on methods of access. The book suggests many potential lessons and is linked to an external website that contains even more lesson plans and practical tools for student success.
October 28, 2021
Best teacher/ librarian resource for covering anything research/ info lit/ etc... Exactly the kind of book/online resource that teachers can pick up & use tomorrow!!
Cannot recommend enough!!
Cannot recommend enough!!
November 23, 2021
Such a great book with both theory and application. I have been looking for new ways to teach digital literacy and I think this book is going to be invaluable.
August 23, 2022
Are you looking for a new way to approach research or fact checking? Are you an educator that is tired of the same old checklist that the students are bored with or just don't use? Do you want to engage if the youngest learners in finding a way to sort through all of the information that is constantly being published in various media outlets? Well, the answer to all of your troubles can be found in the book Developing Digital Detectives: Essential Lessons for Discerning Fact from Fiction in the 'Fake News' Era by Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins. This book provides a fresh look at the process of checking resources for valid information. The book introduces the idea of the learner being a detective like Sherlock Holmes and using various tools to solve the mystery of the truth. To begin you look through trigger lenses to find out how the information make the learner feel and then you dig deeper to determine the reason why. The books is interesting and exciting for researchers of all ages and educators....it contains lessons and an evidence locker of a lot of great tools!
July 24, 2025
The first thing you need to know about this book is that it comes with ready-made resources and lessons for students in grades 4-12!
Even though this book is aimed at educators, I would also recommend it for parents who see their children getting upset by the news that they are seeing on their social media platforms. It will show you how to pause and consider not only WHO is posting the info, but also WHY they are posting the info.
The only reason I'm giving this four stars is because, even though the book is only 4 years old, I'd love to see an updated version. With maybe some added content about digital citizenship and some of the more 'social' aspects of a students' online presence.
Even though this book is aimed at educators, I would also recommend it for parents who see their children getting upset by the news that they are seeing on their social media platforms. It will show you how to pause and consider not only WHO is posting the info, but also WHY they are posting the info.
The only reason I'm giving this four stars is because, even though the book is only 4 years old, I'd love to see an updated version. With maybe some added content about digital citizenship and some of the more 'social' aspects of a students' online presence.
July 1, 2022
This was a wonderful book that identifies the underlying reasons for the spreading of false information in the media and on social media. There were many deep reflections on how children (and adults) see and spread misinformation, in a world where we are inundated with information. This book offers real world lesson plans for each grade level band, as a foundation for helping students find credible information and to navigate the news and social media so they can become conscientious and ethical digital citizens.
April 4, 2022
I would have given it 4 1/2 stars if that was possible. To be digital detectives the authors explain that you need to use four different lenses when looking at online content: triggers, access, forensics, and motives. I thought the authors emphasized handheld devices too much given that many schools have Chromebooks for students. Other than that, I found the chapters easy to read and the resources provided invaluable.
August 22, 2022
The authors' four lenses create a wonderful framework for teaching students how to be responsible, thoughtful and proactive in their interactions with information. I also appreciated the online Evidence Locker, which has many outstanding lesson plans and resources that can be used right away.
My only suggestion is to expand this work so that there are many more lesson ideas and resources for Pre-K through third grade!
My only suggestion is to expand this work so that there are many more lesson ideas and resources for Pre-K through third grade!
May 7, 2025
This is one of the most insightful and valuable books on education I have encountered in recent years. It presents practical, inquiry-based strategies designed to cultivate critical thinking skills in students as they navigate mis-, dis-, and mal-information in their daily lives. An indispensable resource for educators, it also includes access to the Evidence Locker, which offers a comprehensive collection of high-quality tools and instructional materials.
November 23, 2021
This book is fabulous! And so are Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins! The authors generously hosted a 4-week book club in which we read and discussed chapters, participated in activities and really got to understand how to use this resource. The online Evidence Locker is amazing, and I'm so grateful for this resource!
November 24, 2021
I read this as part of a book study and a series of webinars with the authors. It was very informative and gives lots of practical ideas about teaching research in a digital age, the power of the click, and the algorithms that control our feeds. There is a digital evidence locker full of lesson plans for every grade level.
December 31, 2021
Reserve the right to change the rating once I try to use the materials in the classroom.
Gives you ways to help students elementary through high school become good digital detectives so they can understand that not all is true on the internet and the motivations behind the information.
Will add to this once I use some of the lessons.
Gives you ways to help students elementary through high school become good digital detectives so they can understand that not all is true on the internet and the motivations behind the information.
Will add to this once I use some of the lessons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2022
Read this as part of a book study. The information is a follow up to their previous book titled Fact or Fiction, which I have not read. Even tho, the info provided was well organized, accessible and relevant to teacher needs and our students learns. The Evidence Locker will be a resource I’ll use during the school year as I make and adjust plans.
August 23, 2022
This book clearly lays out the "why" of digital literacy, and then hands over the "how" in a beautifully designed website with full lessons.
This is a fantastic tool for teachers of all ages. I know librarians have been on the Lagarde train for a while now, but I think all teachers will gain valuable knowledge to implement lessons that are increasingly important in our information-saturated world.
This is a fantastic tool for teachers of all ages. I know librarians have been on the Lagarde train for a while now, but I think all teachers will gain valuable knowledge to implement lessons that are increasingly important in our information-saturated world.
January 4, 2023
Such a valuable book. Anytime I talk to someone about media literacy I recommend this book. I would give it 6 stars if I could.
(I've attended 2 workshops with Jennifer Legarde and each time came away with hope and tools to use when educating students about media literacy. If you get a chance to attend either author's workshop...do it.)
(I've attended 2 workshops with Jennifer Legarde and each time came away with hope and tools to use when educating students about media literacy. If you get a chance to attend either author's workshop...do it.)
June 23, 2023
I thought this book was an interesting way to teach students to dive deeper into who, why, and how, people are sharing information. This was personally a little challenging since I teach 4th grade, but most parts can be integrated into SEL lessons that we already teach within our curriculum. Just don't be afraid to think outside the box with material that is being presented!
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September 23, 2023My district is recommending all its school librarians to read this book and it was useful. I plan on using a lot of the mini lessons to push into classrooms. The bigger lessons are interesting but I do not think I could ever have a teacher give me that much of their time to implement them. I could spread them across disciplines but I want to gain more teacher buy-in with the mini lessons first.
April 5, 2022
If you teach digital literacy/information literacy, this is a must-have book. It is chock-full of ready to use, engaging lesson plans for elementary and secondary levels, and will provide teachers with a fresh perspective on this important subject.
August 5, 2022
So many great strategies shared here to help educators create critical thinkers and evaluators of information. Added bonus: the digital locker that comes with this book is rich with ready to use activities!
August 31, 2022
Great nonfiction book. Readable and provides new insights. Love the Evidence Locker which provides lesson ideas online; great graphic organizers and lessons including having kids complete comic strips on living with social media!
September 17, 2022
Great book with lessons, ideas, and tools for engaging many different ages of students with modern digital literacy skills. Definitely recommend for teachers and librarians to use for teaching. Comes with very useful on-line resources and activities as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews