Question Everything: How to Tell Fact from Fiction

Gr 4-7–Gr 4-7 One essential skillset that young minds must develop in the age of app-based learning and online accessibility: to question everything. No source (even those once widely assumed to be credible) should escape a critical lens, not only for a child’s information literacy but also for their online safety. Author Susan Martineau and illustrator Vicky Barker give middle grade readers familiar examples of misinformation and disinformation often found in online ads, news stories, and social media. In their scenario-based approach, sensationalized infographics and clickbait headlines are juxtaposed with credible information and the presentation contrast isn’t as stark as one might expect. Barker’s graphic design layouts cleverly mimic the attention-grabbing websites Martineau is critiquing within the text. While this is a sensible design choice, after 15 page spreads the cacophony of text and image becomes visually overstimulating and the hierarchy of information importance gets a bit muddled. The more serious snafu with this title is its lack of bibliography and resources for further reading. In their absence, the credibility of this title is, well…questionable? Verdict: A resource about sources in need of sources. Lots to like with a few critical flaws.